Michael D. McKee — Currently a Ph.D. Student studying the drivers of ponderosa pine dieback and mortality in western forests, white pine blister rust, and Armillaria root disease.
Michael completed his Master’s degree with Dr. Stewart. Major Advisor 2023 – 2025, Agricultural Biology, CSU, M.S.
Michael’s thesis, “Assessing the Roles of Microbial Agents and Abiotic Stressors in Ponderosa Pine Dieback and Mortality Across the Western United States,” builds on his work with the Forest Service Evaluation Monitoring program to characterize ponderosa decline. He is also developing virulence assays for needle and canker pathogens, as well as a LAMP assay for pine wilt nematode.
Michael is from Indiana and obtained a B.S. in Botany and Plant Pathology from Purdue University, where he worked as an undergraduate researcher for the USDA soybean breeding program. After graduation, he worked for AgReliant Genetics as a Research Associate in Plant Pathology, studying diseases of corn. Michael enjoys hiking, fishing, exercising, and watching sports in his free time.