Month: September 2017

  • Dr. Carrie Harmon

    Dr. Carrie Harmon

    Featured in: DPM Newsletter Fall 2015

    Dr. Carrie Harmon has been employed with the University of Florida since 2003 in her role as Associate Director of the regional project the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network (SPDN). In 2009, Dr. Harmon also became the Director of the Plant Diagnostic Center. Currently, Dr. Harmon serves as Associate-In Extension Scientist for UF. Her appointment is 80% extension and 20% research.

    In the Plant Diagnostic Center, Dr. Harmon places priority on the extension clinic. Her daily duties include keeping track of samples from anywhere in the world, providing recommendations and identifications, checking in on research with graduate students, and organizing various trainings. Her passion for plant pathology and educating others lends itself to successful hands-on detection and ID workshops for extension agents and international groups as well as valuable lectures for graduate students. Each training oversees 9-12 people on average and occur three to four times per semester.

    Additionally, Dr. Harmon facilitates two graduate-level courses and one professional internship in the PDC.

  • Dr. Jason Smith

    Dr. Jason Smith

    Featured in: DPM Newsletter Summer 2015

    Dr. Jason Smith is the Co-Director of Emerging Threats to Forests Research Team, Associate Professor of Forest Pathology, and State Forest Health Extension Specialist at the University of Florida. Dr. Smith has been employed at UF since 2006.

    The focus of his research program is to provide a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and biology of interactions between tree hosts, pathogens, their vectors and the environment to reduce the impact of disease on trees in the context of global change. Current research focuses on: 1.) Exotic tree disease detection and management; 2.) Phylogeography and pathogenicity of tree pathogens; and 3.) Management of diseases affecting rare, endangered or relict tree species in a changing climate. In addition to serving as the Principal Investigator of the Forest Pathology Laboratory, Dr. Smith teaches several graduate and undergraduate courses and carries out forest health extension activities including advanced tree diagnostic services. Continue Reading →

  • Dr. John Erickson


    Featured in: DPM Newsletter Spring 2015

    Dr. John Erickson is an Associate Professor and Environmental Agronomist at the University of Florida. He joined the Gator Nation faculty in the summer of 2007 after completing his post doctoral research at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD. That same year Dr. Erickson became an Affiliate for the UF School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE). His post-doctoral research focused on wetland responses to elevated CO2 levels resulting from global climate change. Prior to working at the Smithsonian, Dr. Erickson completed his Bachelor’s and Ph.D. in Physiology within the Forestry Department at the University of Wisconsin. Continue Reading →

  • Dr. Kimberly Moore

    Dr. Kimberly Moore
    Featured in: DPM Newsletter Fall 2014

    After graduating with her MS and PhD in Horticulture from Iowa State University, Dr. Kimberly Moore was first hired
    as an assistant professor at the University of Florida in 1995. Currently, Dr. Moore is a Professor who focuses on teaching and conducting research in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the UF Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (FLREC). Her continued efforts and successes in the horticultural sciences have resulted in the recently added title of Distinguished Teaching Scholar at UF.

    Unlike the other faculty members DPM News has featured thus far, Dr. Moore serves the university and its students from one of UF’s Research and Education Centers (RECs). Twelve RECs, Research and Demonstration Sites (RDSs), and several other offices are located throughout the state to help provide extension level support and distance education to students, faculty, and the general public. Continue Reading →

  • Dr. Nicholas Dufault

    Dr. Nicholas Dufault
    Featured in: DPM Newsletter Summer 2014

    Since the start of his employment with the University of Florida in November 2010, Dr. Nicholas Dufault has been involved with several academic activities that complement his role as a university faculty member. Dr. Dufault is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology, responsible for Vegetables and Agronomic Crops. Additionally, Dr. Dufault is involved in the Plant Science Research and Education Units Faculty Advisory Committee serving as the immediate past chair. In relation to the DPM program, Dr. Dufault serves as the Plant Pathology Department Liaison. The liaison sits on the DPM faculty advisory council and acts as a resource which students can use to ask questions or address concerns about plant pathology related topics. The liaison also coordinates the plant pathology faculty in preparation of the plant pathology DPM comprehensive written exam which is offered every semester.

    Furthermore, Dr. Dufault aims to help reduce losses attributed to fungal diseases of agronomic and vegetable crops through monitoring, research, and education. His extension work more specifically targets peanut, cotton, potato, and watermelon producers throughout the state of Florida. Continue Reading →

  • Dr. Norman Leppla

    Dr. Norman Leppla
    Featured in: DPM Newsletter Spring 2014

    When asked to reflect upon his personal involvement with the DPM Program, Dr. Leppla graciously agreed to provide our readers with insight about his professional background and role as an advisor for numerous students. He also shed light on a truly inspirational philosophy that illustrates his positive outlook on education and personal achievement.

    “Steadily but almost imperceptibly, pest management has been transitioning to a new, exciting era that I can envision due to my 45 plus years in the field. Going fast are the days when someone could simply apply a series of broad-spectrum pesticides with minimal training and expect pest problems to miraculously disappear. Pest management has become too complex for that approach, requiring considerable education and technical training to be effective and sustainable. Continue Reading →