Achala KC

Achala KC is an Associate Professor at Oregon State University, affiliated with the Southern Oregon Experiment Station and the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. Her research focuses on plant pathology, particularly tree fruit and wine grape diseases. She has held roles including Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Florida and North Dakota State University, and earned her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from North Dakota State University (2013).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University (2013)
• M.S. in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University (2009)
• B.S. in Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University-Nepal (2005)

Research Interests:

Dr. KC specializes in applied plant pathology, including disease management strategies, fungal and bacterial pathogen identification, epidemiology, and integrated pest management. Her work addresses emerging diseases in horticultural crops like pomegranate, pear, and grapevine, with an emphasis on sustainable solutions for commercial growers.

Awards:

• Briskey Award for Faculty Excellence (2024)
• Nominee for APS-Pacific Division President-Elect (2025)
• Outstanding Graduate Student Awards (2012–2010)

Advising & Grants:

She advises students like Joseph DeShields and Anupa Gaire, and collaborates on projects funded by organizations such as the USDA-ARS and the American Vineyard Foundation. Her research includes evaluating biofungicides, irrigation impacts on grapevine disease, and alternative fire blight control methods.

Labs & Teams:

Dr. KC leads research at the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, focusing on vineyard and orchard disease dynamics. She contributes to extension publications like the Pest Management Guide for Wine Grapes and collaborates with industry partners on applied solutions.