Smokin’ Doc Thurston: A Journey Through the Lens of a Plant Pathology Pioneer
H. David Thurston (1927–2014) was a professor emeritus at Cornell University. Throughout his illustrious career, Thurston dedicated himself to the service of international agriculture, with a particular focus on plant pathology. His significant contributions included his role as a plant pathologist in Colombia, his extensive research and publications on tropical crops and their diseases during his tenure at Cornell University, and his commitment to educating both graduate and undergraduate students from the United States and numerous developing countries. Thurston was a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and a tireless champion for the impoverished around the world.
Thurston’s website, aptly titled “Smokin’ Doc Thurston’s Greatest Hits,” captures the essence and vibrancy of his career. The title of the site reflects Thurston’s unique sense of humor and irreverence, while the content showcases his unwavering dedication, generosity, and vast knowledge and experience he has amassed over decades of involvement in practical plant pathology on a global scale.
The website boasts a collection of over 2,500 photographs collected by Thurston during his fifty years of worldwide travel. These images have been used in a variety of courses, including general and tropical plant pathology, international agriculture, sustainable development, and traditional agricultural practices. The photo collection, which is free to the public and accompanied by a searchable database, is shared with the intention of inspiring others to use the material.
The collection dedicated to the potato crop contains 56 images, most of them taken in Colombia between 1956 and 1964. You will find photos of genetic material, production systems, experimental plots, markets, and researchers. The following images belong to this collection and have been improved by artificial intelligence (ChatGPT-4 + MixerBox PhotoMagic plugin).
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