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13 July/August 2026 | THE DAVEY BULLETIN Since the 1970s, the Davey Institute's Diagnostic Laboratory has been a source of scientifi c, accurate and effi cient diag- nostic support for clients of Davey Tree's service lines. In 2027, the Institute staff will be able to offer PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, testing in-house, which will allow them to examine a sample with increased accuracy and ability to confi rm the presence of selected pathogens. This advancement will help to align the Institute with the industry level of plant problem diagnostics, according to Kodi Riedel, diagnostic laboratory manager, Davey Institute. "There are several benefi ts to adding PCR to the Davey lab, including improved accuracy in diagnostic testing and re- sults, higher levels of detection of plant pests and diseases for improved management, reduced costs of sending sam- ples to partnering third party labs and improved effi ciency with the ability to run multiple sample tests, which reduces labor and time," Riedel said. This year, the Institute hired Karina Stott, a diagnostician with 10 years of molecular experience, to start Davey on the track of offering these new testing capabilities. Institute staff have also received initial training on how to conduct PCR testing and will continue advancing their knowledge in the area. "The Diagnostic lab team has a wide range of backgrounds including biology, botany, International Society of Arbori- culture certifi cations, molecular biology, mycology, plant pathology and more. Due to the complexity of PCR testing, we are reviewing current research and protocols," Riedel said. "The growth of the SEED Campus has allowed the diagnostic lab to advance into this fi eld of testing, and we look forward to providing this service for Davey." NEW TESTING WILL EXPAND DIAGNOSTIC LAB CAPABILITIES Get to Know... Kodi Riedel When did you start at Davey and what are your current responsibilities? I started part time with Davey as an intern in the diagnostic laboratory in 2008. Since then, I have held a variety of positions within the diagnostic lab including lab technician, diagnostician and supervisor. Currently, I serve as the manager of the diagnostic laboratory, where I oversee all Davey Institute diagnostic lab operations and lead our team. What is the most memorable project you've worked on? Helping with the design and planning of the new diagnostic laboratory at the SEED (Science, Employee Education and Development) Campus as it prepared to open in 2025. Who is someone at Davey who has had a big impact on your career? Working with Dan Herms (vice president and general manag- er, Davey Institute) has had a big impact on my career. He recognized my potential as a leader and gave me the opportunity to grow within Davey and the diagnostic lab team. What is your favorite music genre? Country music is my go-to, but I enjoy a wide variety of music from classical to rock. What is your hidden talent? A hidden talent I have is gardening and landscape design. I enjoy visualizing how a space can come together and then creating it, whether it's designing land- scape beds or maintaining a vegetable garden. Kodi Riedel manager, diagnostic laboratory, Davey Institute The Davey Institute Diagnostic Laboratory process starts with developing an overall idea of a plant's health and site conditions based on test- ing of a submitted sample. Most of the lab diagnoses are made through microscopic examination. In 2021, the diagnostic lab started using molecular testing called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), which detects the proteins of specifi c pathogens in a sample to enhance accuracy of testing. PRECISION LAB TESTING Karina Stott, (right) laboratory diagnostician, Davey Institute, and William Davis, laboratory diagnostician, Davey Institute, examine sam- ples in the diagnostic lab at the SEED Campus. Karina Stott puts a DNA sample into gel, which acts like a tiny maze, sorting the DNA pieces by their size. Because DNA has a negative electric charge, electricity is used to pull the DNA through the gel to the positive side.

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