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. Erin Nichole Rosskopf has been engaged in farming since her childhood, growing up in rural southeastern Pennsylvania where her parents taught in Baltimore, Maryland during the school year and worked on an organic beef cattle ranch in the summer. She began her career in plant pathology as an undergraduate teaching assistant for Dr. Fritz Morsink, Towson University, and graduated with a B.S. in biology in 1992. At the University of Florida, she conducted her Ph.D. research on host-specific phytopathogenic fungi as weed biological control agents under the tutelage of Dr. Raghavan Charudattan with whom she continues collaborating almost 30 years later. Her work on weed biological control was pioneering in its use of nucleic acid sequencing for identification and phylogenetic analysis of biocontrol agents. Two novel use patents were granted for a pigweed pathogen that she and her colleagues discovered and described as a new fungal species.
Dr. Rosskopf started with the USDA-ARS in Fort Pierce, Florida as a postdoc researching alternatives to the chemical soil fumigant methyl bromide. She became a permanent USDA-ARS Research Microbiologist there in 1998. She continued research on alternatives to methyl bromide, in which she is an internationally recognized expert. At the request of the ARS acting administrator under direction of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture, she served on the Technical Review Team that advised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the scientific merit of methyl bromide Critical Use Exemption Applications (CUEs). Dr. Rosskopf’s work directly benefited specialty crop producers by identifying the efficacy, limitations, and application requirements of new compounds including propargyl bromide, methyl iodide, dimethyl disulfide, ethanedinitrile, and allyl isothiocyanate and fulfilling research requirements of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) for CUE applications. She and her colleagues identified the most effective formulations and applications of 1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin, metam sodium, and metam potassium. She holds one patent for this research and has coauthored more than 50 Proceedings for the International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Reduction, for which she serves on the Organizing Committee. Her highly cited APSnet Feature Article was included in the RFA for the Methyl Bromide Transitions grant program for 10 years after its publication.
Recognizing the vulnerability of specialty crops dependent upon chemical soil fumigation, Dr. Rosskopf investigated pathogen, weed, and nematode control using soil solarization, biopesticides, and vegetable grafting. In 2008, she began working with colleagues from the University of California on anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD). After establishing efficacy against multiple fungal pathogens, nematodes, and weeds, Dr. Rosskopf conducted grower-driven research on reducing organic amendments, utilization of totally impermeable film (TIF) to increase efficacy and reduce plastic use, and to address specific nitrogen needs. She responded to organic grower requests to incorporate a pasteurized poultry product to ASD, replacing composted animal manure in the system to address food safety concerns and consistency of pathogen control. She conducted extensive trials on cover crops as on-farm carbon sources and established a team to evaluate the potential loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere. Her team demonstrated that nitrous oxide emissions during the 21-day ASD treatment were prevented by the impermeability of TIF plastic and that flux at plastic perforation was similar between ASD and fumigation. Cumulative estimated season-long N2O depended upon the total N as influenced by preplant inorganic fertilizer. Potential leachates from ASD treatments were primarily phosphorus and potassium, while potential nitrate leaching was significantly higher from fumigated plots than ASD. Dr. Rosskopf is the most prolific author in this area. She and her trainees are responsible for the establishment of ASD in diverse cropping systems.
Dr. Rosskopf is committed to increasing access to science for high school and undergraduate students in her laboratory, having mentored more than 50 students, many of whom have gone on to complete Ph.D. programs. She serves on graduate student committees in multiple disciplines and mentored seven post-doctoral researchers into permanent academic faculty or USDA-ARS scientist positions.
Dr. Rosskopf built her research program with >$10 million extramural funding. She has received two awards from the EPA for research on the development of alternative fumigants, a USDA Drum Major Award for Service, and a Presidential Volunteer Award. The impact of her work is reflected in the diversity of invitations for collaboration from colleagues across disciplines and commodities. She is regularly sought for her expertise in field experimental design and execution, and ability to form and facilitate research teams.
Dr. Rosskopf has authored or co-authored more than 100 published peer-reviewed papers, including 13 First Reports and 15 extension publications, 17 invited book chapters on soil disinfestation, biological control, organic production, and others. Dr. Rosskopf’s research stature is reflected in her appointment as USDA-ARS Research Leader of the Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research Unit where she leads 12 scientists tackling multi-disciplinary research projects. She was also invited to serve as an Acting USDA-ARS National Program Leader for Crop Protection and Quarantine. She contributed significantly to the development of the 2022 Plant Disease National Action Plan for USDA-ARS.
Dr. Rosskopf has continuously served APS by holding multi-year memberships in eight committees and appointments. She was appointed as the Inaugural Director of the Scientific Programs Board (and served for two terms), where she changed an antiquated meeting planning system, established the process for APS annual meeting planning, and selected all Board members. She was a member, Chair, and sustaining force of several professional development committees, and the Centennial Meeting Planning Committee. She has served as a Senior Editor for Plant Disease and PhytoFrontiers. Her stature and broader professional service includes election as Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Florida Phytopathological Society.
Dr. Rosskopf’s contributions to plant pathology, grower-focused research on plant pathogens, nematodes, and weed management; alternatives to methyl bromide, research productivity and creativity; extended service to APS, and many awards more than qualify her to be named a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society.
