J.G. Boswell funds leading researcher Dr. Margaret Ellis as Plant Science Chair

The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology is proud to announce the prestigious appointment of Dr. Margaret Ellis as the incoming J.G. Boswell Endowed Chair in Plant Science at Fresno State. Established through a generous $1.2 million gift from the James G. Boswell Foundation in 2004, the position has created a vessel for groundbreaking research and transformed student experiences in plant science.

Dr. Ellis’ passion for agriculture began in her hometown in Illinois, where she participated in a local 4-H program. With a biology degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she began bridging her scientific background with her love of plants. She was introduced to the field of plant pathology when she started a position in a soybean pathology lab as an undergraduate student. Afterwards she completed her master’s and Ph.D. programs in Plant Pathology at Michigan State University and The Ohio State University, respectively.

Upon joining Fresno State, Dr. Ellis embraced a new path, shifting her focus from Fusarium diseases in soybean to cotton. That pivot allowed her to continue working in Fusarium research—an area she continues to specialize in today. One of her earliest collaborators was the J.G. Boswell Company, which supported her initial survey work and played a key role in launching her research in California.

“The disease I study is very important to growers in California,” Dr. Ellis explains. “Being named the J.G. Boswell Endowed Chair means a lot to me because it tells me the work I do matters. I love working one-on-one with students, and this position allows me to do even more of that.”

Dr. Ellis’ impact resonates through her students, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in research, university extension, and industry leadership. Several now work as technicians or farm managers within the University of California system and beyond.

“One thing I always want my students to learn is that it’s good to ask questions, find information, and then use that information to make sound decisions. I hope they walk away with confidence in the skills they gain,” she says. 

In her new role, Dr. Ellis will continue her work in cotton pathology, focusing on pathogen interactions – an area that desperately needs further exploration. For Dr. Ellis, the J.G. Boswell Endowed Chair in Plant Science empowers her to continue nurturing both of her passions: teaching and research. “I came to Fresno State because I wanted to teach. I love teaching and I love research. Getting this position is a happy marriage between both worlds.” To learn more about Dr. Ellis’ research and accomplishments, click here. 

To support the work of Dr. Ellis and her students, consider making a gift to the Fresno State Plant Science department.