Craig R. Grau was born in Manning, Iowa. He obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees in plant pathology from Iowa State University in 1969 and 1971, respectively. He then earned a Ph.D. degree in plant pathology from the University of Minnesota in 1975. After a postdoctoral appointment at North Carolina State University, he joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976 and currently serves as professor of plant pathology. His current position is divided among research, extension and instruction with responsibilities for field crop diseases. Dr. Grau is a leader in developing and implementing methods for identification, detection, and management of new and emerging disease problems of alfalfa, soybean, and corn. Specific studies have dealt with methods to genetically improve legumes for resistance to plant pathogens, how climatic and soil factors influence the expression of host resistance, and variation in virulence within pathogen populations. He also conducts research on how components of integrated cropping systems influence the biology and virulence of legume pathogens.
Dr. Grau’s research and extension programs are strategically interwoven. He has assumed several teaching responsibilities within his department and students cite his contagious enthusiasm for plant pathology, describing him as knowledgeable, approachable, and sincere. In addition to his nine Ph.D. and 12 M.S. students, Dr. Grau has served on 30 thesis committees of students in five academic programs. In addition to his service on numerous APS committees, he has served as associate editor for Plant Disease and twice as president of the North Central Division.
