CAHNRS Scientists Named To The Washington State Academy of Scienc

Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences is celebrating three new members of the Washington State Academy of Sciences.

The Academy announced its 2026 class on Thursday, July 16, 2026, recognizing researchers whose work has made major contributions to science and society. Their election brings the total number of current and former CAHNRS scientists in the Academy to 24.

New Members Include:

Lindsey du Toit, Professor and Chair, Department of Plant Pathology

Du Toit is recognized for her outstanding research contributions to plant pathology and food security, and for leadership at the statewide, national, and global levels, including serving as past president of the American Phytopathological Society and current chair of the WSU Department of Plant Pathology.

She joined the faculty of Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, NWREC, at WSU-Mt. Vernon in 2000, where she studies the origins, spread, and management of diseases affecting important vegetable and vegetable seed crops.

Girish Ganiyal, WSU Professor

Ganjyal is being honored for his pioneering work in food processing research and extension, contributing to crop, product, and market diversity, and for providing critical training to food industry professionals to bolster both human health and the regional economic landscape.

He established the Food Processing Extension and Research program at WSU, and his research is focused on addressing practical issues in food ingredients and the processing of various crops, including pulses, quinoa, buckwheat, wheat, corn, barley, millets, and others.

Mark Lange, Institute of Biological Chemistry Director

Lange is being honored for elucidating the biochemical pathways underlying the formation of essential oils, resins, and plant natural products, translating these discoveries into commercial cultivars, and bridging the gap between academia and the biotechnology industry.

He moved from his native country of Germany to become a WSU as a postdoctoral researcher in 1997. He then worked at WSU’s Institute of Biological Chemistry for more than three years before pivoting to a role in the biotechnology industry. He returned to the IBC as a faculty member after spending four years in private industry.

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