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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=178 height=178 style='width:1.8541in;height:1.8541in' src="cid:image006.jpg@01DC7EE3.301523C0" align=left hspace=12 v:shapes="Picture_x0020_3"><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Andrew Friskop, extension plant pathologist and associate professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University, as its new Researcher Co-Chair, effective January 1, 2026. In this key leadership position, Dr. Friskop will provide scientific and strategic guidance for advancing USWBSI’s national efforts to reduce the impacts of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) on wheat and barley.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“Dr. Friskop’s deep understanding of Fusarium Head Blight, combined with his ability to connect research with real-world application, made him an outstanding choice for this role,” said Richard Magnusson, USWBSI Grower Co-Chair. “He brings a collaborative leadership style, strong communication skills, and a clear commitment to serving growers, researchers, and stakeholders across the wheat and barley value chain. The Executive Committee is confident he will build on our strong foundation and guide USWBSI forward.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In his role as Researcher Co-Chair, Dr. Friskop will work closely with the Grower Co-Chair, Executive and Steering Committees, and the Networking & Facilitation Office to help guide research priorities, engage stakeholders, and foster collaboration across the FHB research community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“I have a strong passion for building relationships and communicating research that is meaningful and actionable to all agricultural communities,” said Friskop. “I am honored to serve as Researcher Co-Chair and look forward to supporting the collaborative research and outreach efforts that are central to USWBSI’s mission.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>At NDSU, Dr. Friskop’s work focuses on developing and communicating practical disease management solutions for cereal crops, with a strong emphasis on Fusarium Head Blight and associated mycotoxins. Over the course of his career, Dr. Friskop’s applied research program has resulted in an impressive number of impactful presentations and peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, he brings extensive leadership experience within USWBSI where he has served on the Steering Committee, as well as chair of the FHB Management Committee and the Durum Coordinated Project Committee, and as a member of the Forum Organizing Committee. He has also gained experience in significant leadership roles he has held with a variety of regional and national commodity and disease management organizations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>USWBSI also extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Ruth Dill-Macky, who concludes eight years of exemplary service as Researcher Co-Chair. Her leadership strengthened collaboration across disciplines, elevated national awareness of FHB research, and helped guide the Initiative through periods of significant challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='color:#0E2841'>______</span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#0E2841;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='color:#0E2841'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><a name="m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663"><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#0E2841'>U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI)<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Networking & Facilitation Office (NFO)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>495 Borlaug Hall | 1991 Upper Buford Circle | St. Paul, MN 55108</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><br></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'><a href="mailto:nfo@scabusa.org" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>nfo@scabusa.org</span></a> | 517.290.5023 | </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#414141'><a href="https://scabusa.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>https://scabusa.org</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Twitter </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'><a href="https://twitter.com/USWBSI"><span style='color:#156082'>@USWBSI</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> | Linkedin </span><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/uswbsi"><span style='color:#156082'>#uswbsi</span></a></span></u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>