Paul Koch

Dr. Paul Koch is a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With a tripartite appointment split between extension (70%), teaching (20%), and research (10%), he focuses on creating sustainable, attractive, and functional urban and suburban landscapes through science-based solutions to turfgrass management challenges.

Dr. Koch's educational background includes:

• PhD in Plant Pathology with a minor in Molecular and Environmental Toxicology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2012)
• MS in Plant Pathology from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2007)
• BS in Horticulture & Soil Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005)

His research program centers on lowering non-target impacts of pest management in turfgrass and urban landscapes. With a focus on three main areas:

• Precision disease management using predictive models to target interventions
• Pesticide fate and impact on turfgrass landscapes to understand environmental consequences
• Turfgrass microbiome research to leverage beneficial microbial communities

These research areas include both fundamental and applied objectives, aiming to develop pest management recommendations that are both effective and environmentally sustainable.

Dr. Koch oversees the Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab (tdl.wisc.edu), which processes over 200 samples annually from golf courses, home lawns, sod farms, and athletic fields across the country. He also manages the UW Turfgrass Fungicide Testing Program, one of the largest of its kind in the United States, which evaluates approximately 200 fungicide treatments annually for efficacy against both winter and summer turfgrass diseases.

His extension program serves a dual purpose: disseminating science-based solutions to current turfgrass industry problems, and funneling industry challenges into research initiatives. Future extension initiatives focus on reduced-input or reduced-risk turfgrass management approaches.

Dr. Koch advises several graduate students working on diverse projects related to sustainable urban landscapes, pesticide fate, and turfgrass pathology. His lab emphasizes both applied and molecular approaches, with students expected to contribute to outreach programs related to their research.