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Tony Patino

Position: Lab Testing Supervisor
Email Address: tony@apcd.ca.gov
May contain: person, human, clothing, apparel, lab coat, and coat

Tony has been an integral member of the Alliance of Pest Control Districts (APCD) for over 38 years, currently serving as the Lab Testing Supervisor. He joined the agency in 1986 as a field collector, initially focusing on caring for citrus plants in the greenhouse and diagnosing the Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) through biological indexing. Over time, he transitioned to testing CTV using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), a serological method. In his present role, Tony primarily processes insect and plant samples to detect various plant pathogens utilizing both ELISA and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methodologies. Additionally, he oversees screening yellow panel sticky traps for regulated pests. His diverse skill set makes him an invaluable asset to the agency, as he is also involved in repairing and maintaining equipment and physical infrastructure. A native of Tulare, California, Tony graduated from Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia, California, and furthered his education by attending Electronics Trade School, where he received certification. He looks forward to a fulfilling retirement with the agency while contributing to protecting citrus groves from pests and diseases.