Dr. Mark Wach Selected as 2026 Outstanding Alumnus

Mark Wach earned his master's and doctorate in plant pathology from the college in 1983 and 1985, respectively. He is currently the chief innovation officer with Sylvan International Biotechnology Company Ltd., a Pennsylvania-based company and the world's largest producer and distributor of mushroom spawn. Wach is an internationally respected leader in fungal biotechnology and sustained agricultural innovation. His work spans fungal genetics, fermentation, commercial production systems and process development. He is named as an inventor on more than 15 patents, including pioneering technologies such as sporeless mushrooms and hybrid strains that have advanced commercial mushroom cultivation. Wach also has more than 35 scientific publications. Wach has served as president of the International Society for Mushroom Science and chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Mushroom Institute.

Since graduating, Wach has maintained a strong connection with the College of Agricultural Sciences. He is a past-president and board member of the Ag Council, a current member of the Dean's Leadership Council and regularly consults with faculty on topics including disease management advancements and genetic research.