Distinguished MSU Greenhouse Pathologist Takes Leadership Role at IR-4
January 19, 2024 
Photo; IR-4
The IR-4 Project recently announce that Mary Hausbeck, Ph.D. has stepped into the role of North Central Regional Director following the retirement of John Wise, Ph.D. Hausbeck will oversee the North Central Region team and serve on IR-4’s Project Management Committee (PMC). The PMC (IR-4’s board of directors) meets three times a year to develop policies, set budgets, advise on programming, and ensure its work continues to be in alignment with the IR-4 mission.
Hausbeck is a longtime member of the IR-4 community and a natural fit for this leadership role. As a University Distinguished Professor and Extension Specialist at the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hausbeck’s expertise is in vegetable and greenhouse ornamental pathology. The Hausbeck Lab, established in 1990, has graduated more than 50 students in plant pathology, and works towards reducing fungicide reliance through novel and integrated strategies. Many of IR-4’s researchers — at Michigan State and beyond — have benefited from Hausbeck’s mentorship.
IR-4’s Executive Director, Jerry Baron, is optimistic about the energy and expertise Hausbeck will bring to the role.
“IR-4 welcomes Mary Hausbeck to the new role of IR-4 North Central Region Director and member of the Project Management Committee,” Baron says. “She brings so much to this role, with her background as a Field Research Director and an Environmental Horticulture research cooperator, as well as her deep involvement and commitment to IR-4’s priority-setting process. Mary’s dedication to helping specialty crop growers and stakeholders with their plant disease problems, as well as issues with other pests, will serve her well in this role.”
As IR-4 welcomes Hausbeck, it also thanks Wise for his dedicated service in this role, and previously as an IR-4 Field Research Director in the North Central Region. IR-4 is fortunate to have Michigan State University as a regional host institution; the contributions of the Spartan community continue to be invaluable to its mission.
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