RIVERSIDE, CA, August 17, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Michael David Coffey, PhD, FTCD, has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Coffey has dedicated over five decades to the field of plant pathology and microbiology, establishing himself as a respected authority and researcher. Since 2022, he has served as professor emeritus at the University of California, Riverside, following an extensive tenure as a professor of plant pathology and microbiology from 1981 to 2022. While at the university, Dr. Coffey has conducted groundbreaking research and mentored countless students, contributing significantly to the academic community and the broader field of plant science.
Prior to his long-standing affiliation with the University of California, Riverside, Dr. Coffey was an associate professor at the same institution. His career began overseas where he held esteemed positions such as fellow at Trinity College Dublin from 1972 to 1981 and senior fellow at the University of Wisconsin Madison for several years. His journey in plant pathology started even earlier while working as a summer assistant plant pathologist with the Ministry of Agriculture in Bangor. As Dr. Coffey progressed in his career, each role he held played a pivotal part in shaping his expertise and reputation within the field.
Dr. Coffey's academic foundation was laid at Bangor University, where he earned an honor's degree in 1965 followed by a doctorate in botany and plant biology in 1968. His education not only equipped him with the necessary knowledge to dive deeper into the field but also instilled in him a pattern of perseverance and dedication that would define his career overall. In all he pursued and accomplished, Dr. Coffey credits his success to his ability to remain focused on his area of expertise without being swayed by shifting funding trends. Additionally, he believes that his Scottish heritage contributed to his resilient and determined nature.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Coffey has been most proud of his work with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, through which he secured over five separate consultancies while at the University of California, Riverside. His career allowed him to travel to numerous places around the globe, including Colombia and Ecuador, where he studied various diseases of plants. As a result of his research and contributions in this area, he received awards such as the Irish Society Butler Medal.
In addition to his professional achievements and noteworthy experiences, Dr. Coffey has contributed articles to professional journals to share his knowledge and research findings with peers worldwide. Outside of his professional commitment to making a positive, global impact through his work, he is a devoted family man with seven children. He enjoys hobbies such as collecting fountain pens, photography, stamp collecting, and poems—interests that provide him with a creative outlet and enrich his personal life beyond his scientific endeavors.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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