Madalyn Shires
Assistant Professor/ SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, Manager of SDSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic
Education
- Postdoctoral research in virus/phytoplasmas of sweet cherries | Washington State University | 2020-2022
- Ph.D. in plant pathology focused on Rose Rosette Virus | Texas A&M University | 2020
- B.S. in plant and soil sciences | Oklahoma State University | 2015
Academic and Professional Experience
Academic ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵs
Academic ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵs
- Diseases of row crops
- Diagnostics of diseases
- Disease epidemiology
- Viral diseases
Committees and Professional Memberships
Currently advising two M.S. students and serving as a committee member on five other graduate student committees (three M.S., two Ph.D.). Three M.S. students have graduated from my lab as of spring 2025.
Professional Memberships:
- American Phytopathological Society (2017-present)
- National Association of County Agricultural Agents (2022-present)
Extension Responsibilities
I serve as the plant pathology specialist and focus on diseases of row crops. Soybeans and wheat are the major crops I work with, with some work in corn and sunflowers. As the manager of the diagnostic clinic, I also do some work on diseases of horticultural crops and native plants as needed to address stakeholder needs.
Research and Scholarly Work
Areas of Research
- Fungal and bacterial diseases of corn
- Soybean cyst nematode and fungal diseases of soybeans
- Fungal, bacterial and viral diseases of wheat
- Fungicide efficacy field research
- Plant disease diagnostics
- Plant disease epidemiology
- Fungicide efficacy trials are utilized to give recommendations specific to South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ to producers.
- Improved diagnostics ensure that accurate and rapid diagnostics are performed in the Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
- Disease scouting associated with other projects allow us to track the spread and development of various row crop diseases across South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ.
Awards and Honors
- North Central American Phytopathological Society 2024-2025 – Serving as division president
- National Association of County Agricultural Agents 2024-2025 – Leadership Academy
- National Association of County Agricultural Agents 2024 – Achievement awardee for South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Association of Agricultural Extension Professionals 2024 – First-place fact sheet in State Communication Awards
- National Association of County Agricultural Agents 2023 – Search for Excellence in Crop Production national finalist – Member of "Crop Hour 2023" team recognized for this award.
Grants
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Soybean Research and Promotion grant focused on soybean cyst nematode and sponsors free soybean cyst nematode testing for South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ producers.
- South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Wheat Commission grant focused on wheat virus surveys.
- National Predictive Modeling Tool Initiative grant focused on disease modeling for wheat leaf spots and rusts.
- U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative grant to screen South ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ varieties and different fungicides for effectiveness against scab.
- National Plant Diagnostic Network grant to help funding Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
Publications
Recent Publications:
- M.K. Shires, C. Molnar, S.J. Cowell, G. Bishop, J. Voelker, A.A. Thompson, E. Nikolaeva, C. Copp, L. Flandermeyer, T. Melton, T.D. Northfield, A.T. Marshall, W.R. Cooper and S. Harper. . Plant Health Progress, 2025.
Associated Areas
