Get to know Mary Burrows

Mary Burrows started as the director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and associate dean for research in July 2023.

We sat down with her to talk about her journey to Virginia Tech, how she wants to lead the Experiment Station, and her belief in the land-grant mission.

Tell us a little about yourself

I grew up in Moorhead, Minnesota, and lived the majority of my life in the colder climates of the United States. My love of scientific investigation started early, and I kept a lab notebook as a kid when I was playing with my two older brothers’ leftover chemistry set. My first formal lab experience was in high school at age 16, and my first job was as a dishwasher in a USDA-ARS lab. I’ve had a love for science and research for a long time, mostly revolving around plants. I really enjoy sick plants, they’re more interesting than healthy ones (I’m a plant pathologist), but I also love gardening and giving away lots of (healthy) veggies and preserved foods.  

What led you to Virginia Tech?

I’ve held leadership roles over the years that have allowed me to give back to my communities. This position is an opportunity for me to make connections among needs and opportunities in a large and diverse agricultural system. The faculty and alumni are very proud of Virginia Tech, there are strong stakeholder relationships, and endless variety here in Virginia. I’m always excited to learn, and there’s never a dull moment in Virginia.

What value do the ARECs bring to the commonwealth and beyond?

The Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station’s threshold in the community is our Area Research and Extension Centers (ARECs), but many people don’t know that more than 80 percent of our faculty and staff are here on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus. Our basic and applied research activities and our engagement with stakeholders makes a real difference in our communities, the commonwealth and beyond. Every day, knowledge generated by Virginia Tech is used by individuals and businesses to make lives better.  

What do you see as the future of the ARECs and the Virginia Agriculture Experiment Station?

Our future lies in communicating the good work that we do every day, supporting our youth and talent, and working with our stakeholders to anticipate and meet challenges.  

Fast facts

• Education: BA in Biology from the University of Minnesota-Moorhead; Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Experience : Postdoc at the USDA-ARS at Cornell University; Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, Professor and Associate Director of the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station at Montana State University
• Family: Husband Sean, two children, Ceb and Abi, mini goldendoodle (Pinky), five cats (Potato, Princess, Thunder, Pepper and Pumpkin), two ex-4H rabbits (Hermoine and Lucky), and a horse (Bigz)
• Fun facts about you: I like to knit at meetings so I can sit for long periods of time. I’ve been knitting the same pattern baby blanket for over 20 years, so I don’t have to think about it.