PSM People recognized with awards from National Pest Diagnostics Network for outstanding service

Dept of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences - September 29, 2024

MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Team Rises to critical challenge. Jan Byrne, Laura Miles recognized by National Network for significant effort, creative thinking, and implementation of new protocol

“Jan Byrne and Laura Miles are recognized for the efforts to step into leadership roles in NPDN and regulatory diagnostics. These two diagnosticians have a combination of great organization and knack for detailed work. There was a need for surge support diagnostics that required a significant amount of manual benchtop work, creative thinking, and implementation of new protocols. Their lab was the only NPDN lab capable of meeting the need and they got to work. Their willingness to implement these protocols and take many samples at short notice ensured that NPDN could again say “yes” to our regulatory partners to support plant biosecurity in the US.”

It’s Summer 2024. Phytophthora austrocedri, a pathogen that infect juniper bushes, a popular landscape plant and had not previously been found in the U.S., was detected in nursery stock. This detection generated significant regulatory action and required a unique set of equipment and capacity for diagnostic testing from a large number of samples.

"Ours was the only NPDN lab capable of performing the necessary work," said Jan Byrne, director of the MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics Lab. “We received about 100 samples collected in an out-of-state nursery. These samples were incredibly time-intensive to process, but Laura made it possible and completed the testing--a testament to the ability of the people we have and the financial support that has been used to purchase and maintain some of our equipment," Jan said.

Jan notes that they also received support from the MSU turf pathology program, which provided the use lab space and facilities. Several summer student employees proved extremely helpful, as well as some USDA APHIS scientists.

"We had a short term need for some skilled labor, as these situations are difficult to plan for. We are fortunate to have great collaborators who let us borrow a student to help!" Jan said. “It was a huge team effort. We worked for about 4 weeks on this project amidst our other diagnostic responsibilities. We are excited about this award and to have been part of this team.”

Ray Hammerschmidt and Jan Byrne served as co-directors for years until Ray’s recent retirement, when Jan was named director. “Laura helps support the diagnostic needs that arise and is active on NPDN’s committee for Diagnostic Protocol and Validation,” Jan said.

NPDN is made up of five regions, and MSU is the regional center for the North Central Region (NCPDN). Read official notice from the NPDN here

College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences