Brenda Kennedy

Managed the Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory operations at the UK Research and Education Center. Primary responsibilities included the triage and diagnosis of plant samples and delivery of diagnostic results to clientele on a timely basis. Point person for inquires from county Extension agents, producers, homeowners and agribuisness professionals by phone, email, mail, etc. Monitored high risk pests and identified new and recurring disease problems. Assisted Plant Pathology Extension Specialists by developing educational materials on plant diagnostics and other topics as directed. Assisted in program development and implementation by providing occasional Master Gardner training in West KY, presenting diagnostic updates to various Extension and commodity groups and occasionally present plant pathology specialist's work at meetings. Provided teaching assistance to graduate students.

Assisted Extension Plant Pathologists by developing and implementing applied research programs in West Kentucky. Supervised soybean cyst nematode analysis activities and oversaw communication of analysis results to stakeholders. Oversaw daily soybean rust surveillance network activities. Worked with Extension plant pathologists in planing and coordinating the network with county cooperators, fixed and reported network problems.

Served as plant pathologist for the Kentucky Tennessee Tobacco Improvement Initiative. Initiated and conducted studies to evaluate disease resistance to tobacco breeding lines under pathogen pressure in field and greenhouse environments.