Jim Sherald, Ph.D.

Chief, Natural Resources & Science
Plant Pathologist

Jim Sherald received a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture (1968) and both a M.S. (1972) and Ph.D. (1974) degree in Plant Pathology at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. As the Chief of Natural Resources and Science for the National Capital Region (NCR), Jim directs activities and programs at the Center for Urban Ecology (CUE). He ensures that the Center has the staff and resources to meet the challenges of understanding and managing the impacts of landscape fragmentation on the natural resources of the Region's parks. As a practicing plant pathologist, Jim continues to diagnose plant disorders and provide direction for vegetation management. His specialty is vascular diseases of landscape trees, particularly Dutch elm disease and bacterial leaf scorch.