John M. McDowell

John M. McDowell (April 30, 1965 – December 24, 2024) was the J.B. Stroobants Professor of Biotechnology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. His major area of research is phytopathology and plant-pathogen interactions. He used gene-sequencing technology to examine the genome of Phytophthora capsici As of 2018, he became a professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech.

McDowell was a strong advocate for congressional funding of scientific research, emphasizing its importance to farmers and food production and its impact on the U.S. economy.

McDowell served on the editorial boards of multiple journals. He was editor-in-chief of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (2016–2018).

Research McDowell studied fundamental biological principles underlying plants' susceptibility to disease, and their defense mechanisms against pathogens. His work is relevant to the development of crops with the ability to resist pathogens and increase yield.

Death McDowell died on December 24, 2024, after a 19-month-long battle with cancer.

Awards and honors 2016, Academy of Faculty Leadership, Virginia Tech

Selected publications