WSU CAHNRS APPOINTS SIEG SNAPP AS ASSOCIATE DEAN OF RESEARCH

Washington State University has announced the appointment of Sieg Snapp as Associate Dean and Director of Research for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), marking a return to her roots and a significant addition to the university’s leadership team.

Snapp, a Washington State University alumna, earned her bachelor’s degree in agronomy in the mid-1980s before pursuing advanced studies in plant nutrition and soil health at the University of Minnesota and the University of California, Davis. Her career has since spanned more than two decades in academia and global agricultural research, with a focus on supporting growers and advancing sustainable cropping systems.

Most recently, Snapp served as Global Director at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico City, where she led efforts in corn and wheat research on an international scale. CIMMYT has maintained a long-standing collaboration with WSU, particularly in improving wheat grain quality and disease resistance.

Prior to her international role, Snapp spent over 20 years on the faculty at Michigan State University. There, she worked closely with growers across Michigan and the Upper Midwest, as well as with key commodity organizations including the Michigan Potato Commission, Michigan Vegetable Council, and Michigan Soybean Committee. Her work emphasized practical, on-farm innovation, including zonal soil management, post-harvest technologies, and improved agronomic systems for crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, alfalfa, and beans.

In her new role, Snapp will help lead CAHNRS’ research agenda, working alongside Dean Raj Khosla to strengthen partnerships between the university and Washington State’s diverse agrifood industries. The college has prioritized translating scientific advances into real-world applications, and Snapp’s experience bridging research and practice is expected to play a key role in advancing that mission.

As Associate Dean and Director of Research, Snapp will oversee efforts to expand collaborative research, enhance innovation, and ensure that CAHNRS continues to deliver science-based solutions to today’s agricultural challenges. Her appointment reflects WSU’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its leadership in agricultural research and its engagement with industry partners throughout Washington and beyond.