Jacqueline Fletcher, Ph.D.

Dr. Fletcher received a B.S. in Biology from Emory University, M.S. in Botany from the University of Montana, and Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M. She is internationally recognized for her research on mechanisms of virulence and insect transmission of plant pathogenic bacteria; the relationships between human pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, and plants; and the emerging disciplines of microbial forensics and agricultural biosecurity.  She established and served as Director of the National Institute for Microbial Forensics & Food and Agricultural Biosecurity (NIMFFAB; now the Institute for Biosecurity & Microbial Forensics), a multidisciplinary OSU initiative that addresses high priority national issues in plant pathogen forensics, crop biosecurity and food safety.  Dr. Fletcher also served on the American Phytopathological Society’s governing Council, including as President. In the months following September 11, 2001, she led APS responses and input to National biosecurity initiatives.  She organized and chaired both the APS Microbial Forensics Working Group and the APS Food Safety Working Group.  She served as a member of the Forum on Microbial Threats at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and of the National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity.  Dr. Fletcher was named a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society in 2005 and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2007.  After retirement from OSU in 2015 she now serves as a consultant and advocate for agricultural biosecurity and international scientific diplomacy.

​

Selected Publications

Fletcher, J., J. Davis, S. Goldsmith, D. Luster and R. Murch. 2022. Tactical Applications of Microbial Forensics to Protect Agriculture and the Environment.  In: Cardwell, K. and K. Bailey, Eds. Tactical Sciences for Biosecurity of Animal and Plant Systems.  IGI Global, Hershey, PA.

​

Fletcher, J., A. Gamliel, M.L. Gullino, S. McKirdy, G. Smith and J.P. Stack. 2020. A fresh look at graduate education in plant pathology in a changing world: Global needs and perspectives. J. Plant Pathol. 102:609-618. DOI: 10.1007/s42161-020-00509-2.

​

Fletcher, J., N.G. Barnaby, J. Burans, U. Melcher, D.G. Luster, F.W. Nutter, Jr., H. Scherm, D.G. Schmale, III, C.S. Thomas, and F.M. Ochoa Corona. 2020. Forensic Plant Pathology.  Pp. 49-70 in Budowle, B., S.A. Morse and S.E. Schutzer, Eds.  Microbial Forensics, 3rd Edition.  Elsevier Press, Inc.

​

Yeh, K., J. Fair, H. Cui, C. Newman, G. Braunstein, G. Chanturia, S. Vora, K. Chittenden, A. Tseng, C. Monagin and J. Fletcher. 2019. Blending sequencing and scientific engagement: Achieving biological threat reduction and global health security. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 4, 78; doi:10.3390/tropicalmed4020078.

​

Fletcher, J., J.P. Stack and D.L. Luster. 2019. Intentional biothreats against plant resources: Vulnerabilities, hallmarks, Impacts, response, and prevention.  J.  Intel. Comm. Res. Devel. 

​

Kamenidou, S., R. Jain, K. Hari, J.M. Robertson, and J. Fletcher. 2013. Microbial Rosetta Stone Central Agricultural Database: An information resource on high consequence plant pathogens. Plant Dis. 97:1097-1102.

​

Fletcher, J. 2012.  Preparing for emerging and unknown threats in crops. In: National Agricultural Biotechnology Council Report 23.  Food Security: The Intersection of Sustainability, Safety and Defense.  National Academies Press.

 

Fletcher, J., D. Franz, and J.E. LeClerc.  2009. Healthy Plants: Necessary for a Balanced ‘One Health’ Concept.  Veterinaria Italiana 45 (1) / January – March 2009. http://www.izs.it/vet_italiana/2009/45_1/45_1.htm

​

Fletcher, J.  2008. The case for international cooperation as a strategy to achieve crop biosecurity.  Pp. 111-120 in:  Gullino, M.L., J. Fletcher, A. Gamliel and J.P. Stack, eds. Crop Biosecurity: Assuring Our Global Food Supply.   Proceedings of a NATO Project.  Springer Science + Business Media B.V.

​

Fletcher, J., C.L. Bender, B. Budowle, W.T. Cobb, S.E. Gold, C.A. Ishimaru, D.G. Luster, U.K. Melcher, R.L. Murch, H. Scherm, R.C. Seem, J.L. Sherwood, B. Sobral, and S.A. Tolin. 2006. Plant pathogen forensics: Capabilities, needs and recommendations.  Microbiol. Molec. Biol. Rev. 70:450-471. doi:10.1128/MMBR.00022-05.