This story was first published in the Davis College NewsCenter. See the original article here.
Vikram Baliga, an experienced horticulturist and current Texas Tech Greenhouse & Horticultural Gardens manager, has been named an assistant professor of practice within Texas Tech University's Department of Plant & Soil Science, according to Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources officials. He officially steps into his new post on May 1.
The Lubbock native will be broadly focus on areas of urban landscape water conservation; controlled environment horticulture; urban and small farm food production and market gardening; as well as multi-purpose landscape design; and in-person and virtual science communication and outreach.
One of Baliga's primary goals at Texas Tech is to continue building a strong introductory horticulture program that will reach students across the university, and to close the communication gap between research and the public with meaningful outreach and science communication. To that end, Baliga is the host of the popular Planthropology podcast, and the author of a non-fiction children's book about plants and climate change, titled Plants to the Rescue, which will be released in July 11.
Prior to joining the department in 2018 as an a horticulture research associate/lecturer and greenhouse manager of Texas Tech's Greenhouse and Gardens Complex, Baliga served as County Horticulture Agent with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and a teaching assistant with the Department of Plant & Soil Science. In addition, he was a consultant-farm manger with Noble Farms in Lubbock, and owner-operator with Thrive Gardens & Landscapes in Lubbock.
Baliga received his bachelor's degree in horticulture with a landscape design emphasis from Texas A&M University. His master's degree in horticulture, as well as his doctorate in plant and soil science are from Texas Tech.
Recent awards include the Davis College Instructor Award (2022) and the Texas Tech Teaching Learning & Professional Development Center Diamond Award for Innovative Teaching (2021). He is a member of the Crop Science Society of America, American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America and the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association.