FREE Webinar for NCNLA members 

Tackling Vascular Streak Dieback (VSD) 

Thursday, September 26th • 10AM-12PM

Coordinated by Stacey Jones, Area Specialized Agent with the NC State Cooperative Extension

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the emerging nursery problem of Vascular Streak Dieback (VSD). This session features experts who will present an introduction to VSD, share current research updates, and discuss the results of a multi-state VSD survey. Enhance your knowledge and stay ahead in nursery management.

Speakers

Mike Munster	Since February 2009, Mike Munster has been responsible for diagnosing diseases on ornamentals for commercial clients such as nurseries and greenhouses. He holds a B.S. degree in Agronomy from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University. Mike is also a regular presenter on the online "Plants, Pests, and Pathogens" educational program for Master Gardener Volunteers.
Fulya Baysal-Gurel	Dr. Fulya Baysal-Gurel is an associate professor at the Tennessee State University Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, TN. Her research program focuses on the on the development of sustainable, environmental friendly and economical management practices for woody ornamental diseases. Research emphasis areas are 1) detection, diagnosis of fungal, oomycete, bacterial and viral diseases on woody ornamentals using both molecular and classical techniques in nursery production and their management, 2) molecular characterization of soil-borne pathogens of field and container-grown woody ornamentals in Tennessee, and 3) development of sanitation practices for mechanically transmitted woody ornamental diseases.
Dr. Prabha Liyanapathiranage	Dr. Prabha Liyanapathiranage serves as a postdoctoral research associate at the Tennessee State University Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, TN. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Auburn University and an M.Sc. in Plant Science from Tennessee State University. Since November 2021, Dr. Liyanapathiranage has been actively engaged in Dr. Fulya Byasal-Gurel’s plant pathology laboratory, where she diagnoses diseases on woody ornamentals and devises effective management strategies. Additionally, she conducts extensive research aimed at unraveling the complexities surrounding the vascular streak dieback issue.
Hsien Tzer (HT) Tseng	HT Tseng is the Regulatory Plant Pathologist for NCDA&CS – Plant Industry Division and serves as the Department’s Subject Matter Expert on Regulated Plant Pathogens. He obtained his PhD in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University and a Masters in Plant Pathology from the University of Georgia.
Devin Bily	Devin Bily is a general diagnostician with a specialty in woody plants. He has been the Plant Pathologist at Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for four years. Previously, he was the Plant Pathologist at Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for four years.