A cotton science researcher and administrator with Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has been designated an honorary professor and international advisory board member for scientific research by the Industrial Crop Research Institute in China's Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Eric Hequet, a noted leader in cotton fiber research and the current chairman of the Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science, received the honor during a special ceremony Wednesday (July 5) in the group's Zhengzhou headquarters in the province of Henan. In other action, Hequet was appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Cotton Science.

In the past, the multi-lingual Hequet has focused his efforts on collaborative research with the cotton breeding and cotton biotechnology community to develop improved properties in cotton fibers. "Dr. Hequet has done remarkable work in helping developing and understanding the various measurements of cotton fiber properties and their contaminants," added Steve Fraze, interim dean of Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

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. CIRAD is the International Center for Agronomic Research and Development headquartered in Paris, France. Prior to that, he was head of the Bebedjia Agronomic Research Station and head of the Cotton Breeding Program and head of the Cotton Technology Laboratory for IRCT (part of CIRAD) 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 Universite de Haute Alsace (France).

The Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences oversees more than 40 institutes, which include the Industrial Crop Research Institute. One of the academy's goals lies in overcoming challenges impacting agricultural development and support of local rural economies, as well as promoting sustainable agriculture within and outside China.

CONTACT: Steven Fraze, Interim Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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