Pioneering Sustainable Solutions for Fruit Growers Through Research

By Denise Attaway

Johanna Wesche is making waves in the world of agricultural science with her groundbreaking research on sustainable disease management in fruit crops.

Wesche is from the village of Gross Laferde in Lower Saxony in northern Germany. She will complete her graduate studies at Clemson University in August after studying under the mentorship of Guido Schnabel, a plant pathologist in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

She is preparing to take the next step in her academic career by transitioning into a postdoctoral position. Her long-term goal is to lead a research and Cooperative Extension Service program and establish a lab dedicated to developing science-based solutions for growers.

“My dream is to help solve real-world problems in agriculture,” Wesche said. “I want to continue working in academia where I can combine research, teaching and outreach to make a meaningful impact.”

At Clemson, Wesche honed critical skills to serve her well in her future endeavors. She credits Schnabel for helping her become a stronger scientific writer and more effective communicator.