Kathleen Pitcher

Bio

As the Director of Innovation Partnerships, Kathleen will develop new research and business partnerships to propel the N.C. PSI forward. She will also work on entrepreneurial efforts to encourage startups and commercialization opportunities for faculty and grad students.

Kathleen is originally from Syracuse, NY and completed her B.S. in Biotechnology and M.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She then moved to Raleigh and joined the North Carolina State University wolfpack from 2009-2013 to complete her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, with her dissertation research focusing on the population biology of mummy berry disease on blueberry. After graduating, Kathleen worked in early R&D for Bayer and BASF where she led a multidisciplinary research program. She went on to hold leadership positions at local biotech startup companies Tiamat Sciences Corp. and Biomason. One of Kathleen’s favorite experiences during her career has been forming internal and external partnerships for scientific advancement. She is looking forward to helping the N.C. PSI form and nurture relationships aimed at solving critical agricultural issues. In her personal life, Kathleen enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games, and trying new restaurants.