Cornell University, Plant Pathology, 1998, Ph D

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Biochemistry and Plant Pathology, 1993, BS

Amy Charkowski is a Professor of Plant Pathology and Research Associate Dean at Colorado State University. From 20216 through 2023, she served as department head for Agricultural Biology at CSU. She earned her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Ph.D. from Cornell University. Charkowski’s research is mainly on plant pathogens that affect seed potato production or trade, including potato viruses, Spongospora, and soft rot bacterial pathogens of potato and it has resulted in over 85 publications and multiple patents. She teaches graduate and undergraduate classes in integrated pest management and plant bacteriology. Charkowski led her department in the development of a new undergraduate major in Agricultural Biology, an online Master’s Degree in Pest Management, and a minor in Agricultural Data Science. Amy Charkowski's research combines fundamental discoveries in plant disease with development of directly applicable tools to detect pathogens and prevent crop losses. She has also led development of academic programs designed to improve agricultural literacy.