Murray expands teaching to include extension audiences

PULLMAN, Wash. – Timothy Murray, professor of plant pathology, is growing his job. With new responsibilities as Washington State University Extension plant pathologist, he will divide his time between research (70 percent) and extension (30 percent).

He will lead an outreach program to develop and disseminate information about chemical, cultural and genetic methods of controlling small grain diseases in Washington. He joins the extension dryland crops team to improve the consistency and delivery of information on all aspects of small grain production and marketing to growers and the industry.

His changing role shifts Murray’s teaching focus to a new audience.

“The position allows me to expand and formalize my extension education activities,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed interacting with grower and industry groups and view it very much as teaching, but to a different audience with different needs.”

Murray has been a faculty member at WSU teaching the introductory plant pathology class for 30 years. His research has included a wide range of topics including cultural and chemical control of diseases, ecology and epidemiology of pathogens and improving disease resistance in WSU plant varieties.