An internationally-recognized leader in cotton fiber research has been named the new chairman of Texas Tech University's Department of Plant and Soil Science today (June 3), according to officials with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Eric Hequet takes the helm of the highly successful agricultural academic unit on Sept 1.

"I look forward to working with him, along with the faculty, staff, and students, as he leads the department to an even greater level of national prominence in teaching, research and outreach," said Michael Galyean, dean of Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

In the past, the multi-lingual Hequet has focused his research efforts on providing international leadership in research on measurement of cotton fiber properties and contaminants, including the impacts of these on textile processing performance. He is now focused on collaborative research with the cotton breeding and cotton biotechnology community to develop improved properties in cotton fibers.

Currently, Hequet serves as a professor with Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science, in addition to having a joint appointment with Texas A&M AgriLife Research. He also serves as associate director of the university's Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute. Hequet joined Texas Tech's faculty in 1997, after serving in a variety of research positions including head of the Cotton Program and head of the Cotton Technology Laboratory at CIRAD-CA in Montpellier, France. In addition, he was a head of the Bebedjia Agronomic Research Station and head of Cotton Breeding Program and head of the Cotton Technology Laboratory for IRCT in Bebedjia, Chad.

Hequet earned a Diploma of Higher Education in chemistry-physiology from Orsay, Paris XI; a Master of Sciences in genetics from Orsay, Paris XI; and a Diploma of Applied Advanced Studies in plants genetics from Orsay, Paris XI. His doctorate in engineering sciences is from the Université de Haute-Alsace (France).

Recent awards for Hequet include: Texas Tech Parents Association Barnie E. Rushing Jr. Faculty Distinguished Research Award (2012); and the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award (2011). He is a member numerous scientific organizations including the International Committee on Testing Methods, and the Editorial Board of the Journal of Cotton Science.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Michael Galyean, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or michael.galyean@ttu.edu

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