Candidate for Vice President
Kenneth Frost
Oregon State University
Leadership Experience
I am an associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. There, I lead an Extension and applied research program focusing on the ecology, epidemiology, and management of diseases affecting vegetable crops.
Throughout my career, I’ve focused on leveraging my skills and experience to make a positive impact. My leadership and service record reflect a commitment to advancing plant pathology, supporting professional development, and contributing to the agricultural industry. As a quiet leader, I’ve communicated research findings to stakeholders and applied them to real-world challenges. I’ve shaped strategic priorities in agricultural sustainability and pest management, ensuring that new research benefits industry, academia, and society. These experiences have strengthened my ability to collaborate with diverse teams to develop effective solutions.
The majority of my service to APS has been in an editorial role. I served as a senior editor for Plant Disease (2019–2024) and PhytoFrontiers (2020–2024). Prior to that, I was an associate editor for Plant Disease (2016–2018) and served as the vice chair and chair of the Vector-Pathogens Complexes Committee (2016–2017). Throughout my years as a member, I have volunteered time for various APS activities at annual meetings. Since 2023, I have been serving on the Annual Meeting Board (2023–2025), helping plan Plant Health meetings.
Outside of APS, I am an active member of the Potato Association of America (PAA), currently serving on its Board of Directors. I have held leadership roles within PAA, including vice chair and chair of the Extension, Production, & Management and Plant Protection sections, judge for the graduate student competition, and member of the Local Arrangements Committee. I was vice chair and chair of WERA89, a USDA Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and currently advise agricultural industries though service on boards like OSU Seed Certification and the Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association. Additionally, I have served on proposal review panels and as an ad-hoc reviewer for granting organizations and scientific journals.
I have greatly benefited from the network of colleagues I’ve developed as an APS member, and I am honored by the opportunity to serve as vice president. If elected, I am committed to listening to the needs of our members and ensuring that APS supports their professional growth.
Statement of Vision for APS
- Goal A: Advancements in plant health science are accelerated through professional collaboration.
- Goal B: A growing workforce has the skills necessary to ensure sustainable plant health.
- Goal C: Our science impacts decisions leading to a sustainable future.
APS exists to cultivate and connect a global community of individuals who share an interest and passion for plant health. I look forward to working together to advance the strategic goals APS has embraced to guide its efforts, enhance professional collaboration, grow the plant health profession, and support impactful science.
Scientific progress occurs when we work together, share ideas and information, and build on each other’s discoveries. APS actively supports collaboration among researchers, educators, practitioners, industry professionals, and policymakers by offering a comprehensive array of resources, including journals, books, webinars, and videos. These resources provide access to the latest research on plant diseases, offer educational content for building curricula, and deliver practical insights for disease management. Additionally, APS hosts meetings that serve as platforms for members to exchange knowledge, network, and develop collaborations.
To enhance these collaborative pursuits, my vision is that all members are actively encouraged to contribute to APS resources and events. APS must provide clear guidance and support to new members and volunteers, so they feel confident and prepared to take on roles within the society. I will encourage programming for APS meetings and strengthening of online resources to guide members on how they can get involved. This will help fill service gaps, foster a sense of community and responsibility, and ensure that the scientific interests of all members are represented at events and in our resources.
My vision is also that increased member engagement through volunteerism and service plays a role in workforce development. By guiding individuals on how to get involved in committee work, publication development, meeting planning, and outreach activities, APS provides hands-on experiences that enhance leadership, communication, and organizational abilities, while expanding professional networks. Through participation in these opportunities, members gain important skills and build professional networks to advance their careers.
To ensure our profession is capable of addressing future plant health challenges, such as those driven by climate change and global trade, APS needs to facilitate dialogue between universities, government agencies, and industry to identify training gaps and discover solutions to address deficiencies. I will encourage APS to devote more attention to addressing these needs in its meeting programming. In addition to supporting individual growth, APS must continue advocating for increased funding for plant health-related educational programs at all levels. These efforts will help cultivate a pipeline of well-trained students entering the profession.
Over the years, our members have successfully translated complex scientific concepts into applications, ensuring that our discoveries solve important problems and contribute to sustainability. APS must continue to be a trusted resource for expert knowledge and high-quality research that is accessible to policymakers, the public, and industry professionals. My vision is to leverage existing APS media resources to highlight key discoveries and their impacts, expanding outreach beyond our membership.
Finally, APS must continue to collaborate with government entities, partner organizations, and the public to ensure policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific data available.
