Program Manager, Viticulture & Fruit

Jacy is a PhD candidate at Texas A&M University in the department of Horticultural Sciences where her research focuses on translating ecological models to management of agricultural pests and disease. She models systems for vectored diseases of Xylella fastidiosa (Pierce’s Disease) and avenues for biocontrol. 

Jacy holds a Master of Science in Biology from Texas Tech University where her primary areas of study were Plant Reproductive and Community Ecology. She is currently employed as the Program Manager for the TAMU AgriLife Extension Viticulture and Sustainable Fruit Applied Research Lab. 

Jacy started working with Pierce’s Disease in 2005 as part of the Texas Pierce’s Disease Task Force where she explored epidemiology of the disease in Texas as a GIS specialist. She has continued to work in perennial fruit production including viticulture with a strong interest in understanding symptomology, diagnosis, and management of Pierce’s Disease. Complementary interests include sustainable agricultural production, utilizing the EIQ in IPM decision making, the impacts of spectrum modification fabric on growth, production, dormancy manipulation and pest management in perennial crops.