Gary Munkvold is Professor and Chair of the Department of Plant Pathology at University of Kentucky. Prior to his current position, he spent nearly 30 years working in research, extension, and teaching in the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Microbiology and the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University. His research has focused on epidemiology and management of diseases of field and vegetable crops, emphasizing mycotoxicology and seed pathology.

Dr. Munkvold held a position with Pioneer Hi-Bred (now Corteva Agriscience) as Research Coordinator for Pathology, Entomology, and Seed Science, leading a group responsible for conducting research, transferring knowledge, and providing technical leadership in the areas of plant pathology, entomology, and seed science. His research program at ISU included epidemiology and management of mycotoxin-producing fungi in corn, detection and management of seedborne pathogens; and seedling disease management.

He taught courses in the ISU Plant Pathology graduate program and the ISU on-line Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business, for which he also served as Chair. He served 20 years as Co-Director of the Administration Unit for the U.S. National Seed Health System, which works to improve seed health testing methods and facilitate seed exports.

Dr. Munkvold is a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society, was the inaugural ISU Seed Science Endowed Chair, and was awarded the Iowa Regents’ Award for Faculty Excellence. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Davis, and MS and BS degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.