MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – WSU Mount Vernon Vegetable Seed Pathology Program Leader Lindsey du Toit has been elected as 2014-2017 councilor-at-large of the American Phytopathological Society.
The national council serves as the governing body of APS, which is comprised of plant pathologists representing a broad range of specialties in higher education, government, industry and private practice. The society advances high-quality, innovative plant pathology research and the sharing of scientific innovations worldwide.
As councilor-at-large, du Toit will help the council provide oversight to the APS membership. Her role includes working with the various regional divisions and international members and assisting with planning and organizing the annual national meeting, which will be held in August in Minneapolis.
“I was pleasantly surprised by this vote and the recognition from my peers,” said du Toit, who is one of approximately 5,000 members of the professional society and has served in committee leadership positions.
“Looking at the bigger picture will be new to me,” she said. “My goal is to learn as much as I can from the people who are experienced in this position and evolve into the role so I can provide perspective into the vision and decision-making.”
Mentoring will be a focus throughout her three-year term.
“I have a lot to learn from my mentors, and I hope to establish a more diverse, extensive network and engage more of the membership as I evolve into this role and begin to mentor others,” she said.
According to du Toit, her experiences as a WSU plant pathology professor and APS leader are mutually beneficial in her new role within the society.
“Being elected as councilor-at-large brings very good visibility to WSU, and the perspective I bring to the APS council from an applied program in research and extension brings benefits to the society as a whole,” said du Toit.
Her election was not such a surprise to her fellow researchers and colleagues.
“Lindsey is one of the most highly respected scientists that I know,” said WSU Mount Vernon Research Center Director Stephen Jones. “That is true with growers, industry, students, staff and faculty. She also has a very strong reputation, nationally and internationally, as her election to the APS Council acknowledges. We here at the research center and WSU as a whole are very lucky to have her as a member of the team.”
More information about the American Phytopathological Society is available at
https://www.apsnet.org/Pages/default.aspx
Contact:
Lindsey du Toit, Professor and Vegetable Seed Pathology Program Leader,
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC, 360-848-6141, dutoit@wsu.edu