DAVIS, Calif., July 30, 2020…Dr. Patty Skinkis, Oregon State University’s Viticulture Extension Specialist and Professor, has been confirmed as 2020-2021 president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) as of July 1. She succeeds Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker for white wines at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. Dr. Skinkis will lead ASEV’s 12-member board.

Dr. Skinkis is a professor and viticulture extension specialist at Oregon State University (OSU). She spends most of her time developing and delivering research information and educational outreach materials for the commercial winegrape industry in Oregon. As part of her viticulture program at OSU, Dr. Skinkis conducts applied research that impacts the commercial winegrape industry and contributes to the broader knowledge of grapevine physiology and vineyard sustainability. She teaches an upper-division viticulture course in the Department of Horticulture. A highlight of her outreach efforts is building community between industry members and researchers through technical groups allowing information exchange to drive research and innovations.

She’s been awarded the ASEV’s Extension Distinction Award (2018), the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (2017), Early Career Service Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi (2016), Visionary Horticulturist Award from the American Society of Horticulture Science (ASHS) eXtension Working Group (2014), Outreach & Engagement Award from OSU (2012), Outstanding Service Award by the Oregon Wine Board (2011), Savery Young Faculty Award from OSU College of Agricultural Sciences (2010), Search for Excellence Award from the OSU Extension Association (2009), and the Shining Star Award by Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (2008). She received her bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 2002, and her doctorate in Horticulture (Viticulture) from Purdue University in 2006. She has been a member of ASEV since 2005 and has served on various committees. Her other professional activities include being a member of the National Clean Plant Network Grapes Tier 2 Advisory Committee; member of the Integrated Production Systems Committee at the National Grape Research Alliance; associate editor for the American Journal of Enology & Viticulture and Catalyst: Discovery into Practice; co-chair of the Williamette Valley Viticulture Tech Group; technical committee member for the Low-Input Viticulture & Enology (LIVE) certification program; Oregon Wine Symposium planning committee member; and National Viticulture & Enology Extension Leadership Working Group member.

“I am pleased to be serving as ASEV president during these trying times. The challenges provide us with opportunities to change as a society and envision a new reality that may better serve the industry and the culture of scientific exchange long-term,” says Skinkis.

In addition to Patty Skinkis, the board’s Executive Committee for 2020-2021 includes: Tom Collins, assistant professor at the Wine Science Center, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, first vice president; R. Keith Striegler, grower outreach specialist of E. & J. Gallo Winery, Calif., second vice president; and Merilark Padgett-Johnson of the Natural Resources Department at Santa Rosa Junior College, Calif., secretary-treasurer. Continuing on with their board positions are Markus Keller, Chateau Ste. Michelle distinguished professor in viticulture at the Department of Horticulture, Washington State University, Prosser, Wash., as the ASEV science editor, and James Harbertson, associate professor of enology at the Wine Science Center, Washington State University, Tri-Cities, as the technical program director. New incoming ASEV directors include Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Calif., and Federico Casassa, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. For a full board list, go to asev.org/board-directors-staff.

Formed in 1950 as a professional society dedicated to the interests of enologists, viticulturists and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production, ASEV’s membership of approximately 1,600 includes professionals from wineries, vineyards and academic institutions and organizations from around the world. In addition to publishing the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (AJEV) and the Catalyst: Discovery into Practice, the Society also hosts its National Conference, which will be the 72^nd ASEV National Conference, scheduled for June 21-24, 2021, at the Portola Hotel & Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, Calif. ASEV co-hosts the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium with the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), which will be held as a virtual conference and trade show on January 26-29, 2021. For more information, visit us at www.asev.org.

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