About

Dr. Kitty Cardwell joined Oklahoma State University March 15th, 2016.  She brings experience in biosecurity program management and expertise in microbial epidemiology. As result of the events of 9/11/01, she developed the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) a functional network of 74 public and private agricultural institutional plant diagnostic clinics.  Under her leadership, the NPDN became a coordinated and cohesive, distributed system that has quickly detected and responded to the introduction of high-consequence pests.  For more information view the National Plant Diagnostic Network website.  At OSU, Dr. Cardwell conducts research in novel detection technologies and teaches a Spring Special Topic in Quantitative Microbial Forensics.

 

Education

• B.A. University of Texas, Austin, Botany, Cum Laude
• Ph.D. Texas A&M University Plant Pathology & Microbiology
• Key Executive Leadership Program, SES CDP, American University, Washington, DC
• Oklahoma State University, Director and Professor, as of March 15, 2016
• United States Department of Agriculture, National Program Leader, GS15, Washington, DC, 2001-2016
• United States Department of Agriculture, Senior Executive Service Development Program, Professional Detail, Senior Advisor, World Bank, 2012-2013
• International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Research Scientist & Team Leader, Ibadan, Nigeria, 1989-2001