Texas Tech’s Department of Plant & Soil Science adds new plant pathologist
By: Norman Martin
Cecilia Monclova-Santana, an expert in plant pathology, has been named an assistant professor (25 percent) and extension specialist (75 percent) with Texas Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science and the Departments of Plant Pathology and Microbiology at Texas A&M University, according to officials within Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. She officially stepped into her new teaching and research post on July 1.
The Puerto Rico native indicated that she is particularly interested in the study of fungal and nematode populations affecting cotton and peanuts. She seeks to test new techniques in order to improve the South High Plains agriculture by having a more efficient disease control that is also eco-conscious.
One of her primary goals here at Tech is to teach with a different learning approach, one that provides resources to student to be successful in their upcoming work spaces. Through her lectures she plans to prepare the future agricultural professionals for the agriculture of the future.
Monclova-Santana will lead and coordinate extension education in plant disease management for the Texas High and Rolling Plains, as well as teach an undergraduate level plant pathology class at Texas Tech. Crop priorities in this semi-arid region include cotton and peanuts, and she'll have active interaction with growers, commodity groups and agricultural professionals.
Monclova-Santana received her bachelor's degree in agronomy and master's degree in plant pathology from University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. Her doctorate in plant pathology is from North Dakota State University.
Texas Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science has more than 230 students. Its research program centers on addressing local, regional, national and global plant production and environmental challenges. The department's three-year research expenditures exceed $4.1 million a year. The department offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in plant and soil science, along with four post-graduate certificate programs in crop protection, fibers and biopolymers, horticulture landscape management and soil management.
CONTACT: Eric Hequet, Department Chair, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2838 or eric.hequet@ttu.edu
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