John earned his B.S. in turfgrass science and landscape contracting from The Pennsylvania State University in 1998. He then went back to his home state where he earned his M.S. (2001) and Ph.D. (2004) from the University of Maryland. At the University of Maryland and under the direction of his mentor Dr. Peter Dernoeden, he played a critical role in the discovery of a new disease of golf course putting greens known as bentgrass dead spot. His work earned him the 2005 Musser International Award of Excellence, given to “recognize and honor doctoral graduate students in Turfgrass Science and related disciplines.” Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Kaminski was hired to start the turf pathology program at the University of Connecticut.