Kira Bowen has been tapped to serve as interim head of Auburn University’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, effective August 1.
“I look forward to working with Dr. Bowen in this new role,” said Paul Patterson, dean of Auburn’s College of Agriculture. “As a respected authority in plant disease management, Dr. Bowen has been deeply involved with this department throughout her Auburn career. Her prior experience as a department chair and research coordinator within the college also position her well for this interim position.”
Bowen has served at Auburn since 1988, when she joined the faculty as an assistant professor. Since then, she has served as chair of the Department of Plant Pathology, 1998-99; and research coordinator for the College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, 2000-07.
Bowen was named an associate professor in 1993 and professor in 1998. She served as Alumni Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology from 2017 to 2019.
Bowen replaces John Beasley, who is stepping down as department head after serving in the role since 2014. As she begins her interim appointment, Auburn is launching a national search to fill the position.
