Current Research

Susan is a biologist for Sudden Oak Death Research, at the USDA-Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW) in Albany, CA. For the past 10 years, Susan has run the national Sudden Oak Death/Phytophthora ramorum competitive research grants program. She was the first chairperson of the California Oak Mortality Task Force, www.suddenoakdeath.org, and continues to be one of the leaders working to address sudden oak death in California. Susan also works on the risks from forest diseases given climate change, tracking forest pest trends and urban forest health. Susan participates in numerous international, national, regional and local leadership capacities including leading the Nature Conservancy's Address Phytophthora ramorum Initiative, and is an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Forest Research.

Research Interests

Susan's interests include forest Phytophthoras; invasive species management; climate change and forest diseases, urban forest health and tracking pest trends.

Past Research

From 1987 to 2005, Susan worked as a plant pathologist for Forest Health Protection, State and Private Forestry, Pacific Southwest Region Headquarters. Susan worked primarily on on root diseases, nursery pests, sudden oak death and pitch canker.

Why This Research is Important

Tree diseases, as exmplified by sudden oak death, affect people in many disciplines, industries and walks of life; for pathogen spread to be prevented all parties need to be engaged. Forest diseases need a scientific basis for management by land owners, arborists, homeowners, policy-makers, regulators, growers and producers (horticultural nurseries, compost, mushroom, cut foliage, Christmas trees), recreationists and tribal gatherers. Research findings are the basis for current international, federal and state regulations, and are used worldwide in risk assessments, monitoring and management programs.

U.S. forests are increasing threatened by invasive species, climate change and disturbance. Understanding the impacts of forest diseases is critical to sustain trees in urban forests, woodlands and wildlands.

Education

• University of Washington, Seattle, M.S. And M.F.R. Forest Pathology and Silviculture 1991
• University of California, Berkeley, B.S. Plant Pathology, Natural Resources 1985

Professional Organizations

• Western International Forest Disease Work Conference, Chairperson, Climate Change (2007 - Current)
  Past Chairperson of WIFDWC
• California Forest Pest Council, At-Large Director (2005 - Current)
  Organzing annual meeting CA Forest Pest Council
• California Oak Mortality Task Force, Chairperson, Research (2005 - Current)
  Past Chairperson

Awards & Recognition

Publications

• Frankel, Susan J.; Swiecki, Tedmund J.; Bernhardt, Elizabeth A.; Benner, Diana ; Blomquist, Cheryl ; Rooney-Latham, Suzanne . 2020. Accreditation to improve restoration program shows promise for pathogen prevention.
• Fajardo, Sebastian N.; Bourret, Tyler B.; Endelenbos, Chris ; Lozano, Evan ; Rizzo, David M.; Frankel, Susan J.; VinZant, Katie . 2020. Assessing the incidence and diversity of Phytophthora species in planned restoration areas of the Angeles National Forest.
• Frangioso, Kerri M.; Frankel, Susan J.; Lee, Christopher A. 2020. Over two decades of sudden oak death in California.
• Frankel,  Susan J.; Alexander,  Janice ; Benner,  Diana ; Hillman,  Janell ; Shor, Alisa . 2020. Phytophthora pathogens threaten rare habitats and conservation plantings.
• Frankel, Susan J.; Alexander, Janice M. 2020. Proceedings of the seventh sudden oak death science and management symposium: healthy plants in a world with Phytophthora.
• Bourret, Tyler B.; Aram, Kamyar ; Mehl, Heather K.; Rizzo, David M.; Rooney-Latham, Suzanne ; Swiecki, Tedmund J.; Bernhardt, Elizabeth A.; Frankel, Susan J. 2020. Ten new provisional species of Phytophthora and Nothophytophthora from California.
• Cobb, Richard C.; Ross, Noam ; Hayden, Katherine J.; Eyre, Catherine A.; Dodd, Richard S.; Frankel, Susan J.; Garbelotto, Matteo ; Rizzo, David M. 2019. Promise and pitfalls of endemic resistance for cultural resources threatened by Phytophthora ramorum.
• Woods, Alex; Frankel, Susan. 2018. Climate change.
• Garbelotto, Matteo ; Frankel, Susan J.; Scanu, Bruno . 2018. Soil- and waterborne Phytophthora species linked to recent outbreaks in Northern California restoration sites.
• Rooney-Latham, S.; Blomquist, C.L.; Soriano, M.C.; Guo, Y.Y.; Woods, P.; Kosta, K.L.; Weber, K.; Swiecki, T.J.; Bernhardt, E.A.; Suslow, K.; Frankel, S.J. 2017. An update on Phytophthora species in California native plant nurseries and restoration areas.
• Frankel, Susan J. 2017. Innovation and dedication underpin management of sudden oak death (Phytophthora ramorum) in California and Oregon forests.
• Cannon, Phil; Frankel, Susan J.; Angwin, Pete. 2017. Lessons learned from the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, sudden oak death management program.
• Frankel, Susan J.; Harrell, Katharine M. 2017. Proceedings of the sudden oak death sixth science symposium.
• Cobb, Richard; Hartsough, Peter; Ross, Noam; Klein, Janet; LaFever, David; Frankel, Susan; Rizzo, David. 2017. Resiliency or restoration: management of sudden oak death before and after outbreak.
• Cobb, Richard C.; Hartsough, Peter; Frangioso, Kerri; Klein, Janet; Swezy, Mike; Williams, Andrea; Sanders, Carl; Frankel, Susan J.; Rizzo, David M. 2017. Restoration management in redwood forests degraded by sudden oak death.
• Cobb, Richard C.; Rizzo, David M.; Frangioso, Kerri; Hartsough, Peter; Klein, Janet; Swezy, Mike; Williams, Andrea; Sanders, Carl; Frankel, Susan J. 2017. Restoration of Mount Tamalpais forests destroyed by the sudden oak death pathogen.
• Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J.; Hapner, Nina; Phillips, John L.; Dupuis, Virgil. 2017. Working across cultures to protect Native American natural and cultural resources from invasive species in California.
• Frankel, S.J.; Cobb, R.; Woods, A.J. 2016. Better management of pests and diseases.
• Rooney-Latham, S.; Blomquist, C. L.; Swiecki, T.; Bernhardt, E.; Frankel, S.J. . 2015. First detection in the USA: new plant pathogen, Phytophthora tentaculata, in native plant nurseries and restoration sites in California.
• Filip, Gregory M.; Bronson, Joshua J.; Chadwick, Kristen L.; Filip, Jeremy B.; Frankel, Susan J.; Goheen, Donald J.; Goheen, Ellen M.; Mori, Sylvia R.; Saavedra, Angel L. 2015. Precommercial thinning in mixed-species conifer plantations affected by armillaria and heterobasidion root diseases in West-Central Oregon and Washington: 30-year results.
• Frankel, S.J.; Palmieri, K.M. 2014. Sudden Oak Death, Phytophthora ramorum: A Persistent Threat to Oaks and Other Tree Species.
• Liebhold, Andrew M.; McCullough, Deborah G.; Blackburn, Laura M.; Frankel, Susan J.; Von Holle, Betsy; Aukema, Juliann E. 2013. A highly aggregated geographical distribution of forest pest invasions in the USA.
• Cobb, Richard C.; Rizzo, David M.; Hayden, Katherine J.; Garbelotto, Matteo; João, A.N. Filipe; Gilligan, Christopher A.; Dillon, Whalen W.; Meentemeyer, Ross K.; Vlachovic, Yana S.; Goheen, Ellen; Swiecki, Tedmund J.; Hansen, Everett M.; Frankel, Susan J. 2013. Biodiversity conservation in the face of dramatic forest disease: an integrated conservation strategy for tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) threatened by sudden oak death.
• Frankel, S.J. 2013. Foreward. Tanoak: History, ecology and values..
• Mehl, H. K.; Mori, S. R.; Frankel, S. J.; Rizzo, D. M. 2013. Mortality and growth of dwarf mistletoe-infected red and white fir and the efficacy of thinning for reducing associated losses.
• Frankel, Susan J.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M. 2013. Proceedings of the sudden oak death fifth science symposium.
• Frankel, Susan. 2013. Tanoak: History, ecology and values.
• Lee, Christopher A.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J.; Valachovic, Yana. 2012. Evolution of an invasive species research program and implications for large-scale management of a non-native, invasive plant pathogen.
• Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J. 2012. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees.
• Filip, Gregory M.; Frankel, Susan J.; Goheen, Ellen M.; Moltzan, Bruce D. 2012. West Coast forest diseases.
• Sturrock, R.N.; Frankel, Susan; Brown, A. V.; Hennon, Paul; Kliejunas, J. T.; Lewis, K. J.; Worrall, J. J.; Woods, A. J. 2011. Climate change and forest diseases.
• Aukema, Juliann E.; Leung, Brian; Kovacs, Kent; Chivers, Corey; Englin, Jeffrey; Frankel, Susan J.; Haight, Robert G.; Holmes, Thomas P.; Liebhold, Andrew M.; McCullough, Deborah G.; Von Holle, Betsy. 2011. Economic Impacts of Non-Native Forest Insects in the Continental United States.
• Frankel, S. J.; Hansen, E. M. 2011. Forest Phytophthora diseases in the Americas: 2007 - 2010.
• Frankel, Susan J. 2011. Microbial acrobats: tracking the whereabouts of forest Phytophthora species.
• Aukema, J.E.; McCullough, D.G.; Holle, B.V.; Liebhold, A.M.; Britton, Kerry ; Frankel, S.J. 2010. Historical Accumulation of Nonindigenous Forest Pests in the Continental United States.
• Klopfenstein, Ned B.; Juzwik, Jennifer; Ostry, Michael E.; Kim, Mee-Sook; Zambino, Paul J.; Venette, Robert C.; Richardson, Bryce A.; Lundquist, John E.; Lodge, D. Jean; Glaeser, Jessie A.; Frankel, Susan J.; Otrosina, William J.; Spaine, Pauline; Geils, Brian W. 2010. Invasive forest pathogens: Summary of issues, critical needs, and future goals for Forest Service Research and Development.
• Burnett, Kelly; Frankel, Susan J.; Keena, Melody; Kim, Mee-Sook; Klopfenstein, Ned B.; Ostry, Michael E.; Sieg, Carolyn Hull. 2010. Invasive species overarching priorities to 2029.
• Frankel, Susan J.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M., tech. coords. 2010. Proceedings of the Sudden Oak Death Fourth Science Symposium.
• Lee, Chris; Valachovic, Yana; Frankel, Susan; Palmieri, Katie. 2010. Sudden Oak Death mortality and fire: lessons from the basin complex.
• Hayden, Katherine J.; Lundquist, Alex; Schmidt, Douglas J.; Sniezko, Richard A.; Frankel, Susan J.; Garbelotto, Matteo. 2010. Tanoak resistance: can it be used to sustain populations.
• Frankel, Susan . 2009. IUFRO Fourth Meeting of Working Party 7.02.09, Phytophthoras in Forest and Natural Ecosystems: Meeting Summary.
• Goheen, E.M.; Frankel, S.J. 2009. Proceedings of the fourth meeting of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Working Party S07.02.09: Phytophthoras in forests and natural ecosystems.
• Kliejunas, John T.; Geils, Brian W.; Glaeser, Jessie Micales; Goheen, Ellen Michaels; Hennon, Paul; Kim, Mee-Sook; Kope, Harry; Stone, Jeff; Sturrock, Rona; Frankel, Susan J. 2009. Review of literature on climate change and forest diseases of western North America.
• Grünwald, N.J.; Goss, E.M.; Ivors, K.; Garbelotto, M.; Martin, F.N.; Prospero, S.; Hansen, E.; Bonants, P.J.M.; Hamelin, R.C.; Chastagner, G.; Werres, S.; Rizzo, D.M.; Abad, G.; Beales, P.; Bilodeau, G.J.; Blomquist, C.L.; Brasier, C.; Brière, S.C.; Chandelier, A.; Davidson, J.M.; Denman, S.; Elliott, M.; Frankel, S.J.; Goheen, E.M.; de Gruyter, H.; Heungens, K.; James, D.; Kanaskie, A.; McWilliams, M.G.; Man in 't Veld, W.; Moralejo, E.; Osterbauer, N.K.; Palm, M.E.; Parke, J.L.; Perez Sierra, A.M.; Shamoun, S.F.; Shishkoff, N.; Tooley, P.W.; Vettraino, A.M.; Webber, J.; Widmer, T.L. 2009. Standardizing the nomenclature for clonal lineages of the sudden oak death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum.
• Frankel, Susan J.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M. 2008. Proceedings of the sudden oak death third science symposium.
• Frankel, Susan J. 2008. Sudden oak death and Phytophthora ramorum: an update on research with implications for regulations and management.
• Frankel, Susan J. 2008. Welcome to the sudden oak death third science symposium.
• Frankel, Susan J.; Oak, Steven W. 2006. Converting biology into regulations: U.S. Phytophthora ramorum quarantine as a case study.
• Frankel, Susan J.; Shea, Patrick J.; Haverty, Michael I. 2006. Proceedings of the sudden oak death second science symposium: the state of our knowledge.
• Hildebrand, Diane M.; Stone, Jeffrey K.; James, Robert L.; Frankel, Susan J. 2004. Alternatives to preplant soil fumigation for Western forest nurseries..
• Frankel, Susan J. 1998. User's Guide to the Western Root Disease Model, Version 3.0.
• Fiddler, Gary O.; Hart, Dennis R.; McDonald, Philip M.; Frankel, Susan J. 1995. Silvicultural practices (commercial thinning) are influencing the health of natural pine stands in eastern California.

Research Highlights

Highlight	Title	Year
PSW-2010-001	Effective treatments for eradication of Sudden Oak Death pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum, in nursery soils Researchers at the University of California - Davis, funded via a grant from PSW's competitive Sudden Oak Death Research Program, determined tha ...	2010
PSW-2012-15	New Report Assesses Impact of Climate Change on Forest Diseases Climate change is projected to have far-reaching environmental effects domestically and abroad	2012