Dr Sniezko has been Center Geneticist at the USDA Forest Service’s Dorena Genetic Resource Center in Oregon since 1991. His work focuses on development of populations of trees with genetic resistance to non-native forest tree diseases & pests for restoration and reforestation, as well as genetic variation and gene conservation. He has worked extensively with white pine blister rust caused by Cronartium ribicola, Port-Orford-cedar root disease (pathogen Phytophthora lateralis) and koa wilt (pathogen Fusarium oxysporum). He has organized/co-organized/facilitated 11 international conferences and workshops on 5-needle pine genetics/breeding and/or genetic resistance since 2001, including in 2011, the restarting of the Forest Tree Resistance to Diseases and Pest Workshops (the last one had been in 1980). He has authored numerous publications on genetic resistance. Some additional recent activities include providing guidance on the project to develop resistance to Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaii, some genetic/gene conservation related projects with western species of ash (threatened by emerald ash borer) and setting up a new ‘sentinel’ project to help evaluate potential future pathogen and pest threats to U.S. tree species. Richard Sniezko (researchgate.net)