Title: The Penn State Plant Disease Clinic: Protecting plant health through diagnostics, research, and national collaboration
- https://plantpath.psu.edu/events/ppem-seminar-series-sara-may
- PPEM Seminar Series: Dr. Sara May (PPEM Plant Disease Clinic)
- 2026-02-16T15:35:00-05:00
- 2026-02-16T18:00:00-05:00
- Title: The Penn State Plant Disease Clinic: Protecting plant health through diagnostics, research, and national collaboration
When February 16, 2026, 3:35 PM - 6:00 PM
Where 112 Buckhout Lab
Contact Tim McNellis
Contact Phone 814-863-7646
Abstract: Since 1970, the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic has provided essential plant disease diagnostic services to Pennsylvania’s agricultural producers, urban gardeners, and homeowners. The clinic plays a critical role in protecting the state’s major plant industries, including fruit and vegetable production, nurseries, landscapes, and forests. In addition to providing diagnostic services, the clinic conducts research on important and emerging plant pathogens and new diagnostic methods strengthening our ability to provide accurate diagnoses and science-based management recommendations. Active participation in the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) further enhances these efforts through collaboration, information sharing, and coordinated responses with partners nationwide, all working toward the shared goal of protecting plant health through high-quality diagnostics, communication, and collaboration.
Bio: Sara May is the Manager and Head Diagnostician of the Penn State Plant Disease Clinic in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, a role she has held since 2009. She is primarily responsible for diagnosing the 1,500–2,000 plant samples submitted to the clinic each year. Her work includes research on important and emerging plant pathogens and new diagnostic methods. She is actively involved with the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) and serves on the NPDN Protocols and Validation Committee.
