The CDFA PD/GWSS Board would like your assistance in completing a thorough review, assessment and interpretation of all research activities previously and currently funded by the CDFA PD/GWSS Research Program, as well as scientific projects supported by other PD/GWSS research funding programs. The Board is composed of key California grape and wine industry stakeholders. They are seeking a better understanding of research progress made, and anticipated timelines toward, achieving sustainable solutions and prevention strategies that address Pierce’s disease and associated insect vector infestations in commercial vineyards.

The ultimate intent of this program review is to create a knowledge foundation that can be used in the development of an updated strategic plan for the CDFA PD/GWSS Research Program. The plan will outline strategies for optimizing research activities to accelerate the development of viable solutions for control, prevention and elimination of Pierce’s disease.

The CDFA PD/GWSS Board has contracted with Dr. Nancy Irelan to provide leadership in conducting the PD/GWSS Research Program review and development of a strategic research plan. Based on Dr. Irelan’s initial recommendations, the CDFA Board has established a Research Scientific Advisory Panel (RSAP) to:

• Greatly accelerate the research program review, gap analysis and strategic planning.
• Assess research program process against stated goals and recommendations made by prior program evaluations
• Generally enhance the objectivity and transparency of the research assessment and funding recommendation process; and
• Generally augment the scientific rigor and broaden the technical perspective of the program

Seven individuals were selected to serve on the RSAP based on their research/innovation track record and international reputation within their field of expertise. In combination, these individuals represent the breadth of technology and scientific discipline that encompass the current CDFA PD/GWSS Research Program. Descriptions of each RSAP member including a photo, core expertise and brief bio, are provided on this website.

While the CDFA PD/GWSS Board is primarily concerned with the progress and productivity of research generated through the CDFA PD/GWSS Research Program, the Board recognizes the need to obtain a full understanding of all relevant PD/GWSS research activities, and to collaborate when possible across all avenues of funded, on-going PD/GWSS research and innovation. The UC-, APHIS, Texas and ARS PD/GWSS Research Programs share this perspective and they are all participating in the review process and assisting in solicitation of research project information from their respective PD/GWSS scientists. Collection of this project information is critical to successfully completing the research program review and assessment process. PD/GWSS researchers have been asked to provide succinct information for each of their projects outlining the project goal, key objectives, overall experimental game plan and anticipated deliverables relating to control/prevention of PD. This summary information will be combined with a list of abstracts for each peer-reviewed publication that the respective researcher has produced post-NAS (National Academy of Science) report.

Given the extensive amount of data and materials under consideration across the four research programs it was clear that an efficient and unified process was required to generate, consolidate and summarize the review materials. To this end, PIPRA —Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture, [www.pipra.org] was recruited to take responsibility for logistical and tactical aspects related to generating the research review materials. To achieve this task within the required deadline, PIPRA created an electronic database that the PD/GWSS research community has been asked to populate with their summary information.

The CDFA PD/GWSS Research Program review, gap analysis and status assessment is scheduled to take place in May of 2007. The Research Scientific Advisory Panel will hold a two day review to complete the process. In order to provide the panel members with sufficient time to study the review materials, the PD/GWSS research community has been asked to enter their project information into the PIPRA database by March 9th. This abbreviated timeline is required in order to compile, consolidate, and distribute the materials to the RSAP by March 15th, 2007.

The RSAP review results will be used during the generation of 2008-09 CDFA PD/GWSS Research Program priorities and the next RFP for the coordinated CDFA and UC PD/GWSS research programs. The review results will also be made available to the PD/GWSS research community for consideration when preparing subsequent research proposal submissions to the CDFA Research Program. The information provided by this review may also be used to justify continued funding of PD/GWSS research