Sean Toporek

Sean Toporek serves as Assistant Professor in Specialty Crops Pathology and Manager of the SDSU Local Foods Education Center within South Dakota State University's Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science. He teaches core courses including Introduction to Horticulture (HO111), Local Food Production (HO434/HO435), and Plant Propagation (HO414).

His educational foundation comprises:

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Clemson University (2022)
• M.S. in Plant Pathology from Clemson University (2020)
• B.S. in Agroecology from Iowa State University (2013)

Dr. Toporek's research program strategically merges applied plant pathology with genetic and genomic methodologies to resolve specialty crop disease challenges specific to South Dakota's agricultural landscape. His work emphasizes sustainable solutions for crop health through molecular-level disease analysis, directly supporting regional food security initiatives.

He directs the Toporek Lab focused on specialty crops pathology and oversees the SDSU Local Foods Education Center, which integrates research with community education on local food systems. His office is located in Berg Agricultural Hall, Room 257, at the Brookings campus.