AREA OF EXPERTISE

Our program is focused on improving the culinary quality and/or health beneficial properties of edible or medicinal horticultural crops or their processed products.

POSITIONS HELD

2012-pres. Professor, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH
1993-2012. Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH
1987-1993 Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, OH
1985-1987 Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
1982-1985 Graduate Research Associate, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
1981-1982 Agronomist, Primary Energy Australia, 1 Queens Ave., Mc Mahon's Point, Sydney, New South Wales, 4030, AUSTRALIA. (separate from but in conjunction with University of Arizona assignment).
1975-1981 Research Technician I/II, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
1972-1975 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI

RESIDENT INSTRUCTION

My current teaching responsibilities include the following:

HCS 5460 – Fruit Crop Physiology and Production
HCS 4600 – Issues in Horticulture and Crop Science (Capstone Course)
HCS 7761 – Crop Secondary Products for Survival Health and Well-being
HCS 7806 – Study and Application of Methods in Plant Science
HCS 7890 – Seminar

RESEARCH

Our current research responsibilities include the following:

• To direct and conduct research delineating the genetic, physiological and cultural determinants of fruit and vegetable quality and the quality of their processed products.
• To direct and conduct research supporting interdisciplinary efforts to delineate the interactive role of fruit and vegetable health-beneficial components in impeding the onset and development of aero-digestive cancers and other degenerative diseases.
• To direct and conduct research on pre- and postharvest factors affecting the health-beneficial components of fruit and vegetable crops.
• To direct and conduct research exploring health-beneficial and/or medicinal properties of new and/or underutilized crops.
• To direct and conduct research examining aspects of vegetable and small fruit culture.

EXTENSION

I participate in state, national and international growers congresses by presenting requested information based on our research or on current best practices of the industry.

INTERDISCIPLINARY INVOLVEMENT

We cooperate on funded projects with OSU colleagues from the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Departments of Agricultural Communication and Leadership, Chemistry, Food Science and Technology and Human Nutrition.  Our research efforts also involve extensive collaboration with faculty in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Akron and in the Department of Biology and Microbiology at South Dakota State University.