Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, TN. Her research program focuses on the on the development of sustainable, environmental friendly and economical management practices for woody ornamental diseases. Research emphasis areas are 1) detection, diagnosis of fungal, oomycete, bacterial and viral diseases on woody ornamentals using both molecular and classical techniques in nursery production and their management, 2) detection of pathogen and biocontrol agent populations through soil ecosystems, 3) molecular characterization of soil-borne pathogens of field and container-grown woody ornamentals in Tennessee and determining the grower perceptions and knowledge of soil-borne pathogens on woody ornamental production and management practices available and 4) development of sanitation practices for mechanically transmitted woody ornamental diseases.