Taylor Klass

Background

About Taylor Klass

I am currently finishing up my PhD in plant pathology, where my research is focused on diagnostics and diversity of bacterial pathogens that infect and impact vegetable crops. I am passionate about transferring innovations and knowledge to growers who can actually put them to use! During my PhD, I have had the opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional plant pathology research and agricultural communication and education research through field testing a new diagnostic method and assessing grower perceptions of this method. Throughout my time in graduate school at The Ohio State University, I have had many wonderful experiences that have developed and refined my scientific and professional skills. These experiences include serving as the American Phytopathological Society (APS) Graduate Student Committee Vice Chair and Chair, volunteering for the APS Office of International Programs, participating in a Tropical Agriculture and Conservation Field Course in Guatemala and an NSF Advanced Crop Improvement Short Course at AfricaRice in Senegal, presenting oral talks at multiple conferences (APS Plant Health 2022, International Bacterial Wilt Symposium 2023, and International Congress of Plant Pathology 2023), and serving as a teaching assistant for the general plant pathology and plant disease diagnosis courses. Additionally, I have been honored to receive both the University Fellowship and the Presidential Fellowship from The Ohio State University as well as a USDA NIFA AFRI Predoctoral Fellowship to help fund my PhD research. I hope to spend the next part of my professional career interacting with growers through agricultural extension and continuing to bridge the gap between plant pathology science and social science.