Changing Botany of Santa Cruz Mountains
Jan 21, 2020
Ann Northrup, Plant Pathologist
Changing Botany of Santa Cruz Mountains

Ann spent her undergraduate years at the University of Michigan where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology.  Her interest in plant pathology started there but she took a five year diversion working in the field of medical diagnostics and molecular biology research.  After that long wait, she returned to plant pathology to earn a master’s degree at UC Berkeley. 

Her work has been primarily in disease diagnostics of ornamental plants, first with Soil and Plant Lab in Orange CA, and then with Nurserymen’s Exchange in Half Moon Bay.  She currently works 3/4 time at Montalvo Art Center in Saratoga as the Landscape Curator, consults privately in plant pathology and arboriculture and teaches horticultural classes at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and Merritt College in Oakland.  One of her long time and current enjoyments is volunteering at the "Sick Plant Clinic" at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden.  She is also an active volunteer in the UCCE Master Gardener program of Santa Clara County.