Citrus Center

Faculty

Dr. David Laughlin


Research Asst. Professor, Plant Pathology and Outreach

Dr. Laughlin received his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M University. Dr. Laughlin was then based in Guatemala as a Project Director for a project focused on mitigating the effects of coffee leaf rust in Central America through coordinated research and education. He then worked as an extension specialist for the California Strawberry Commission in Watsonville where he helped coordinate a certification program focused on water and nitrogen management as well as produce safety training for farm workers. In 2018 Dr. Laughlin joined the TAMUK Citrus Center as a post-doctoral research associate and was then hired as Research Assistant Professor in 2021.

Dr. Laughlin’s research program focuses on the applied management of citrus diseases such as melanose, greasy spot and slow decline through cultural practices and environmental monitoring. Dr. Laughlin also manages the Texas Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRaFT) program, is heavily involved in grower outreach, and teaches the graduate course, Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Crop Production.

Dr. Laughlin is a native of Los Fresnos, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley and enjoys fishing, BBQ, and collecting native plants with his family.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center
312 N. International Blvd.
Weslaco, TX 78599
Voice: (956) 410-9034
Fax: (956) 969-0649
David.Laughlin@tamuk.edu

Dr. David Laughlin