David Schmale

Fulbright Australia, United Kingdom, U.S. (AUKUS) Award (All Disciplines)

Dr. David Schmale of Blacksburg, Virginia, received his B.S. from the University of California, Davis, and his Ph.D. from Cornell University. Since joining Virginia Tech in 2006, Schmale has contributed to research focused on agricultural biosecurity, biosurveillance systems, atmospheric incursions of plant pathogens, and robotic sensing technologies. Schmale is a Professor and Director of the Translational Plant Sciences Center at Virginia Tech, where he works with interdisciplinary teams to develop forecasting, sensing, and early detection systems that strengthen food security and agricultural resilience. As part of his Fulbright AUKUS award, he will collaborate with researchers in Australia and the United Kingdom to advance international partnerships focused on global crop protection and atmospheric incursion science.

During his Fulbright, he looks forward to working alongside interdisciplinary teams, engaging with agricultural stakeholders, and experiencing the scientific and cultural landscapes of Australia and the UK. He hopes to strengthen long-term collaborations that advance biosurveillance, innovation, and agricultural resilience across partner nations. Outside of research and teaching, Schmale enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two daughters hiking, camping, paddle boarding, and flying drones.