Dr. Kimberly Cochran is new plant pathologist at AgriLife center in Uvalde

UVALDE – Dr. Kimberly Cochran is the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service plant pathologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde, said Dr. Daniel Leskovar, center director.

In her role at the center, Cochran will focus on management of plant diseases of crops in the Winter Garden and surrounding area, Leskovar said.

“Dr. Cochran has an interest in sustainability at all levels of agricultural production, including incorporating water-management strategies as part of a best practices disease-management initiative for producers,” Leskovar said. “She also is interested in utilizing seed treatments to improve plant health and reduce the impact of diseases as part of a complete disease management program.”

Cochran conducts educational workshops for producers and those interested in plant sciences and plant pathogen management.

“I look forward to beginning my career in an area with such diverse crop production and working with the producers in the region,” Cochran said. “I hope to apply my experience with diagnostics and seed pathology to serve the producers in the Winter Garden and surrounding areas with their plant disease-management needs.”

Cochran earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Arkansas.

Her previous experience includes work as a graduate research assistant, graduate-level teaching assistant, soil ecology lab staff member and intern with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Cochran is an Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board Ph.D. Fellowship recipient. She was recipient of an American Seed Research Foundation graduate student travel award and research spotlight. She also received an Outstanding Master of Science Student award from the University of Arkansas department of plant pathology.

She holds memberships in the American Phytopathology Society and Southern Division of the American Phytopathology Society, and is a member of the Society’s Extension Committee. Cochran is also a founding committee member and chair assistant for the society’s Career Advancement and Development Resources and Education efforts, and has been a member, vice chair and chair for its Early Career Professionals committee. She is also a member of the society’s Seed Pathology committee.

Cochran also has authored or co-authored several publications and has been awarded a variety of grants and gifts.