Chastagner earns lifetime achievement award

ChastagnerPUYALLUP, Wash. – Gary Chastagner, professor of plant pathology at the Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center, recently was awarded the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific division of the American Phytopathological Society (APS). The award is given to senior members in recognition of distinguished contributions to plant pathology and service to the division.

Chastagner has rendered exemplary service through research on diseases of ornamental bulbs, nursery crops and Christmas trees and transfer of that work to industry and lay users via extension programs, according to his award nominators. In addition, wide coverage of his work by popular media outlets attest to the reach and impact of his research.

He has received more than $5.7 million in competitive and noncompetitive funding; published 70 peer reviewed papers, 27 extension bulletins, nine book chapters and more; and given more than 600 presentations to regional, national and international audiences.

Over 30 years, Chastagner has filled various officer positions in the APS. He has served on and chaired diverse committees.

He earned his B.A. in biology and industrial arts from California State University, Fresno, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in plant pathology from the University of California, Davis. He joined the WSU faculty in 1978.