Plant Pathologist Margery Daughtrey Receives Her PhD

Posted by Brian Sparks|May 12, 2023

Margery Daughtrey, a renowned plant pathologist who specializes in the diseases of ornamental plants, has officially finished all requirements for her to receive a PhD from Cornell University. On April 26, Daughtrey passed the final defense examination of her research dissertation.

Most people who know Margery probably assume that she already has a PhD because of her vast knowledge about ornamental plant diseases and her excellent diagnostic abilities. Last year, she was accepted into the PhD program at Cornell University in the Section of Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology. At that time, Margery had a team of faculty members assigned to serve on her graduate committee. Since then, she has completed all the requirements to receive a PhD from Cornell University. After working as a dedicated plant pathologist for 45 years, this is a tremendous accomplishment for Margery.

Margery Daughtrey joined Cornell University’s Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center (LIHREC) in Riverhead, NY, in 1978. She was the first female professional to be hired at the LIHREC. Since then, she has been the Center’s most prolific writer and speaker. Margery has published more than 1,000 technical publications, books, book chapters, refereed journal articles, internet publications, and Extension publications (click here to find an article she wrote for Greenhouse Grower on mildew control). Margery has given thousands of oral presentations throughout New York and Long Island, the U.S., and around the world.

“Most of our PhD students are in their late 20’s and early 30’s and are expected to prove their worthiness in the future,” says Dr. Mark Bridgen, Professor and Director of Cornell’s LIHREC. “However, in Margery Daughtrey’s case, she has already spent 45 years conducting research, publishing books, and excelling as an Extension agent before beginning her PhD program. This PhD is recognizing a career of excellence and acknowledging her accomplishments.”

Margery Daughtrey is truly a national treasure for Cornell University and the greenhouse and ornamental plant industries. Congratulations Margery for a job well done.