The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) selected Dr. Wenping Qiu, research professor in the Darr College of Agriculture, to join an ad hoc committee.
The committee will provide guidance on grapevine disease research to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-Wing Sharp Shooter (PD/GWSS) Board.
Qiu will provide critical recommendations on research proposals and review current status and prospectives of grapevine viruses.
He is one of 10 members chosen to serve alongside the chair, vice chair and staff officer.
What the committee will do
The committee will carry out three interrelated activities.
- Activity 1: Review of proposals submitted to CDFA PD/GWSS Board.
- Activity 2: Critique of CDFA PD/GWSS Board’s request for proposals (RFP) and proposal selection process.
- Activity 3: Review of current knowledge on grapevine viruses, GRBV (grapevine red blotch virus) and GLRaV-3 (grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3) research outcomes/gaps and future research approach.
The committee will also prepare a consensus report with conclusions from its review. The report will describe what is currently known about GRBV and GLRaV-3, what knowledge is needed to improve management of the diseases caused by these viruses and the committee’s recommendations with respect to a viable approach for supporting research on the viruses.
“I’m thrilled I can contribute my expertise and experiences on the recommendation of research proposals for funding, revision of the RFPs and reviewing of the impacts of grapevine viruses on grape and wine industries,” Qiu said.
“I feel rewarded for making contributions in helping grape growers prevent and manage grapevine viruses and diseases.”
Qiu also serves as director of the Midwest Center of the National Clean Plant Network-Grapevine.