Timothy Brenneman

Timothy Brenneman is a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, based at the Tifton Campus. He holds a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech (1986) and a B.A. from Goshen College (1981). His research focuses on disease management of peanuts and pecans, including soilborne pathogens like Sclerotium rolfsii and Rhizoctonia solani, and pecan diseases like scab (Fusicladium effusum). He discovered the native pecan truffle (Tuber lyonii) in Georgia and pioneered its cultivation. Dr. Brenneman has held faculty roles since 1986, advancing from Assistant to Professor (1998).

His work integrates applied epidemiology, fungicide efficacy, and host resistance to reduce crop losses. Key research areas include: pecan scab control via fungicides, peanut soilborne disease management, and truffle inoculation methods. He collaborates on projects funded by commodity commissions and federal grants, addressing challenges like fungicide resistance and sustainable pest management.

Brenneman has received over 20 awards, including the Friends of Southern IPM Lifetime Achievement Award and multiple student mentorship recognitions. His lab evaluates over 160 sponsored projects, focusing on disease-resistant cultivars, precision spraying, and molecular diagnostics for pathogens like Meloidogyne partityla. He advises graduate students in plant pathology and has authored/co-authored 260+ scholarly works, emphasizing crop protection strategies and genetic improvement.