Responsibilities and Interests:

Dr. Kaminski’s research focuses on various biotic and abiotic stresses related to high maintenance turfgrass systems such as golf course putting greens. Areas of research include cultural and chemical management of turfgrass pests including summer-induced abiotic stress, select diseases of golf courses, and annual bluegrass management/suppression on golf course putting greens. These studies involve the evaluation of plant protectant products (i.e., fungicide, herbicides, and plant growth regulators) in conjunction with various fertility and cultural management programs. Recent projects have included pesticide resistance management, enhanced fungicide efficacy through advanced application technology, and the interaction among select herbicides/PGRs and turfgrass diseases or summer stress. Research emphasis focuses on balancing environmental stewardship with the desire to produce quality performance conditions on golf courses. He also serves as Director of the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program.

Education:

• Ph.D., Natural Resource Sciences, The University of Maryland, 2004
• M.S., Agronomy, The University of Maryland, 2001
• B.S., Turfgrass Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 1998
• B.S., Landscape Contracting, The Pennsylvania State University, 1998

Professional Background:

• Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 2009–present.
• Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Pathology, University of Connecticut, 2005–2008.
• Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant, University of Maryland, 2001–2004.
• M.S. Graduate Research Assistant, University of Maryland, 1998–2001.
• Student Intern, Penn State Turf Research Facility, April–August 1998
• Student Intern, Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, MD, May-September 1997
• Student Intern, Desert Mountain Properties, Scottsdale, AZ, February-August 1996

Honors and Awards:

• Musser International Turfgrass Foundation’s 2005 Award of Excellence
• Northeastern American Phytopathological Society Student Paper Award 1st Place, 2004
• Crop Science Society of America C-5 Poster Contest Industrial Relations Committee Award 1st Place, 2003
• R.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship, 2003
• Southern Nursery Association Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship, 2003
• College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Outstanding Graduate Student, 2003
• Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture Outstanding Graduate Student, 2003
• Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Watson Fellowship, 2002

Professional Societies and Memberships:

• American Phytopathological Society (2004–2007 Turfgrass Research Group)
• Crop Science Society of America
• Agronomy Society of America
• Northeastern Weed Science Society
• Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

Selected Publications:

1. Kaminski, J.E., and P.H. Dernoeden. 2005. Nitrogen source impact on dead spot (Ophiosphaerella agrostis) incidence and severity in creeping bentgrass. Int. Turfgrass Res. Soc. J. 10: Accepted for publication.
2. Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, and C.A. Bigelow. 2004. Creeping bentgrass seedling tolerance to herbicides and paclobutrazol. HortScience 39:1126–1129.
3. Kaminski, J.E., C.A. Bigelow, and P.H. Dernoeden. 2004. Soil amendments and fertilizer effects on creeping bentgrass establishment, soil microbial activity, thatch and disease. HortScience 39:620–626.
4. Dernoeden, P.H., C.A. Bigelow, J.E. Kaminski, and J.M. Krouse. 2003. Smooth crabgrass control in perennial ryegrass and creeping bentgrass tolerance to quinclorac. HortScience 38: 607–612.
5. Kaminski, J.E., P.H. Dernoeden, N.R. O’Neill, and B. Momen. 2002. Reactivation of bentgrass dead spot and growth, pseudothecia production and ascospore germination of Ophiosphaerella agrostis. Plant Disease 86: 1290–1296.
6. Kaminski, J.E., and P.H. Dernoeden. 2002. Geographic distribution, cultivar susceptibility, and field observations on bentgrass dead spot. Plant Disease 86: 1253–1259.