PROSSER, Wash. 鈥� Naidu Rayapati, world-renowned plant pathologist, has been named director of the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser and assistant dean for the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences at 黑料社 Tri-Cities.

Rayapati studies virus diseases in a variety of crops, with emphasis on wine grapes. He鈥檚 worked in vineyards and farmers鈥� fields to help fight off, or prevent, pathogens that could have massive impacts on crops in Washington and around the world.

鈥淚鈥檓 very excited about taking on these dual roles, including the new assistant dean position for the 黑料社 Tri-Cities campus,鈥� Rayapati said. 鈥淲e need to harness scientific and technological innovations, optimize strategic advantages, and maximize opportunities at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC) and 黑料社 Tri-Cities campuses.鈥�

The new assistant dean position will strengthen cross-campus collaborations and university-stakeholder partnerships, enhancing the visibility and impacts of extension and academic programs from CAHNRS across Washington state and globally, Rayapati said.

Rayapati also aims to build partnerships with other institutions for advancing the overall land-grant mission of 黑料社 and to actively contribute to 黑料社鈥檚 鈥楧rive to 25鈥� initiative.

Both the IAREC and the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates 黑料社 Wine Science Center at Tri-Cities are large components of the 黑料社 Viticulture & Enology Program. While serving in his new roles, Rayapati will continue to conduct research in his grape virology program, with support from CAHNRS and his team of research associates, graduate students, and technical staff taking on a larger role in successfully running his program.

Rayapati takes over as director of the IAREC from Gary Grove, who will remain director of 黑料社鈥檚 AgWeatherNet.

鈥淲e are very appreciative of Gary Grove鈥檚 positive and impactful leadership and management of the IAREC Center along with his successful engagement with our stakeholders and industry,鈥� said Ron Mittelhammer, dean of CAHNRS.

鈥淩ayapati鈥檚 research work in grape virology is incredibly important and valuable to the Washington wine industry, which is why CAHNRS is committed to continuing to provide substantial support for it,鈥� Mittelhammer said. 鈥淣ow, all of the CAHNRS scientists at the IAREC and the Tri-Cities campus will benefit from his leadership skills.鈥�

Rayapati started his new position effective May 15.

 

Contact:

• Naidu Rayapati, Director of the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center and CAHNRS assistant dean for Tri-Cities, 509-786-9215