Dr. Markell is the extension plant pathologist responsible for disease management information on broadleaf crops in North Dakota. His primary crop responsibility includes canola, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), dry edible beans, lentils, flax, peas, soybeans, and sunflowers. Dr. Markell also coordinates North Dakota's sentinel plot network as part of the soybean-PIPE and Legume-PIPE programs. In addition to extension activities, Dr. Markell also conducts applied research on diseases of several crops.