The society grants this honor to a current APS member in recognition of distinguished contributions to plant pathology or to The American Phytopathological Society. Fellow recognition is based on significant contributions in one or more of the following areas: original research, teaching, administration, professional and public service, and/or extension and outreach.
Dr. Carolyn Young was born in Wellington, New Zealand. She earned her B.Sc. (1993), M.Sc. in genetics (1999), and Ph.D. in molecular biology (2005) from Massey University. As a first-generation and nontraditional student, Carolyn demonstrated exceptional dedication, balancing part-time studies with full-time work in Professor Barry Scott's research lab. This experience laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to academic and professional excellence.
As a postdoctoral fellow at Ohio State University under Sophien Kamoun, Carolyn evaluated RxLR effector diversity in Phytophthora infestans. In 2006, she joined the Noble Research Institute to lead the Mycology and Plant Pathology Program, eventually becoming a full professor in 2019. In 2022, she transitioned to Nature’s Fynd as a principal scientist, working on sustainable alternative protein sources using fungi. Currently, Carolyn serves as Professor and Department Head of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University, where she continues her leadership in research, teaching, and service.
Carolyn is internationally recognized for her pioneering work on fungal grass endophytes. Her research encompasses endophyte discovery, genomic diversity, secondary metabolism, and their application to forage systems. During her graduate studies, she identified and characterized key alkaloid biosynthetic gene clusters in fungal species, including indole-diterpenes (IDTs), the compounds responsible for ryegrass staggers in grazing livestock. Her foundational work with Penicillium paxilli provided a critical steppingstone for exploring Epichloë species, whose IDT gene clusters are embedded in AT-rich, repetitive subtelomeric regions. To further this research, she has been involved in the development of over 100 Epichloë genome sequences. This enabled deeper insights into alkaloid gene cluster evolution, the development of genetic markers for strain identification, and expanded knowledge of metabolite production and diversity of four important alkaloid classes, ergot alkaloids, indole-diterpenes, pyrrolizidines and pyrrolopyrazines.
At the Noble Research Institute, Carolyn’s work on the endophyte, Epichloë coenophiala, in tall fescue significantly impacted U.S. forage agriculture. She collaborated with agronomists, breeders, and ecologists globally to release improved cultivars and advance understanding of plant-fungal interactions. Carolyn developed innovative multiplex PCR assays capable of distinguishing endophyte strains within individual grass seeds or tillers, analyzing over 500,000 plant samples. Her efforts distinguished toxic and nontoxic endophyte strains, directly benefiting cattle producers by enabling safer and more productive pastures. This work is now being expanded to address concerns among farmers regarding the success and persistence of renovating toxic KY31 tall fescue pastures with novel, endophyte-infected varieties over time.
In addition to her research on fungal endophytes, Carolyn has led impactful studies on Venturia effusa (pecan scab) and Phymatotrichopsis omnivora (cotton root rot). Her work on V. effusa identified the mating-type idiomorphs and provided the first molecular proof of its heterothallic nature. Although a sexual stage has never been reported in nature, the Young Lab were able to successfully develop an in vitro mating protocol providing unequivocal evidence of the sexual nature of V. effusa, resulting in the description of its sexual stage. Collaborating with Clive Bock (USDA-ARS), Carolyn characterized the pathogen's population genetics in orchards across the southeastern U.S., informing more effective disease management strategies. Her research on P. omnivora with the host alfalfa, integrated aerial imaging and genetic diversity studies, uncovering pathogen movement patterns and identifying its heterothallic mating system.
Carolyn’s passion for education and mentorship shines through her contributions to outreach and student training. At Noble, she engaged K-12 students and stakeholders with hands-on activities highlighting the symbiotic relationships between grasses and fungal endophytes, aligning with national and state science standards. She co-founded the Biotechnology Academy Internship Program at Noble, which provided over 150 high school seniors from the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center with six- week internships, 14 of whom were directly mentored by her. Her knowledge and leadership with the Epichloë-grass symbiosis attracted 35 national and international scientists to train under her, advancing the use of molecular tools for agricultural applications.
Her leadership extends to professional service, particularly within the American Phytopathological Society (APS). In 2016, Carolyn became the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Phytobiomes Journal, APS’s first open-access publication. She championed this emerging discipline, increasing visibility and fostering collaboration among scholars. Currently, she has served as Senior Editor for Phytobiomes Journal and PhytoFrontiers, and participated in a recent APS taskforce on content delivery further supporting APS’s mission to advance scientific communication.
As Department Head of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University, Carolyn continues to inspire and uplift her colleagues. She is the department’s first female head, overseeing 50 faculty and over 200 members. Within a short time, she has strengthened faculty recruitment, participated in leadership panels for faculty, staff, and students, and revitalized morale post-COVID with her warmth and inclusivity.
Dr. Young’s career includes 140 publications, two patents, and the release of two tall fescue cultivars. She has contributed to over 250 genome sequences of Epichloë, V. effusa, and P. omnivora isolates. Carolyn has delivered 95 presentations, including 75 invited or keynote talks, across diverse disciplines, showcasing her ability to communicate complex scientific ideas effectively. With a legacy of innovative research, transformative mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Carolyn Young exemplifies excellence in plant pathology and agricultural sciences. Her unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge, mentoring the next generation, and fostering community engagement makes her an outstanding candidate for the APS Fellow Award.
