People
Use this directory to learn more about the people of TREC: faculty members, staff, students, and researchers.
Dr. Edward 'Gilly' Evans
Center Director & Professor
Department of Food and Resource Economics
786-217-9263
eaevans@ufl.edu
Dr. Yuncong Li
Associate Center Director & Professor
Department of Soil, Water, & Ecosystem Sciences
786-217-9251
yunli@ufl.edu
Dr. Haimanote Bayabil
Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
786-217-9253
hbayabil@ufl.edu
Dr. Zachary Brym
Associate Professor
Department of Agronomy
786-217-9238
brymz@ufl.edu
Dr. Daniel Carrillo
Associate Professor
Department of Entomology and Nematology
786-217-9245
dancar@ufl.edu
Dr. Romina Gazis
Associate Professor
Department of Plant Pathology
786-217-9275
r.gazisseregina@ufl.edu
Dr. A. Malek Hammami
Assistant Professor
Department of Food and Resource Economics
786-217-9248
ahammami@ufl.edu
Dr. Young Gu Her
Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
786-217-9288
yher@ufl.edu
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Dr. Xiaoying Li
Assistant Professor
Department of Horticultural Sciences
786-217-9260
xiaoying.li@ufl.edu
Dr. Geoffrey Meru
Associate Professor
Department of Horticultural Sciences
786-217-9287
gmeru@ufl.edu
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Dr. Alexandra Revynthi
Assistant Professor
Department of Entomology and Nematology
786-217-9244
arevynthi@ufl.edu
Acarology Workshop
Dr. Bruce Schaffer
Professor
Department of Horticultural Sciences
786-217-9265
bas56@ufl.edu
Dr. Dakshina Seal
Scientist
Department of Entomology and Nematology
786-217-9269
dseal3@ufl.edu
Dr. Jugpreet Singh
Assistant Professor
Department of Horticultural Sciences
786-217-9278
jugpreetsingh@ufl.edu
Dr. Ashley R. Smyth
Associate Professor
Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
786-217-9291
ashley.smyth@ufl.edu
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Dr. Xingbo Wu
Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental Horticulture
(786)-217-9279
xingbo.wu@ufl.edu
Dr. Shouan Zhang
Professor
Department of Plant Pathology
786-217-9233
szhang0007@ufl.edu
Dr. Jonathan Crane
Professor Emeritus
Department of Horticultural Sciences
(305) 246-7000
jhcr@ufl.edu
Dr. Thomas L. Davenport
Professor Emeritus
Department of Horticultural Sciences
(305) 246-7000
tldav@ufl.edu
Dr. Waldemar Klassen
Professor Emeritus
Department of Entomology and Nematology
(305) 246-7000
klassen@ufl.edu
Dr. Richard E. Litz
Professor Emeritus
Department of Horticultural Sciences
(305) 246-7000
relitz@ufl.edu
Catharine Mannion
Professor Emeritus
Department of Entomolgy and Nematology
(305) 246-7000
cmannion@ufl.edu
Dr. Jorge E. Peña
Professor Emeritus
Department of Entomology and Nematology
(305) 246-7000
jepena@ufl.edu
Dr. Christine Waddill
Professor Emeritus
Department of Plant Pathology
(305) 246-7000
cwaddill@ufl.edu
Dr. Van H. Waddill
Professor Emeritus
Department of Entomology and Nematology
(305) 246-7000
waddill@ufl.edu
Courtesy appointments apply to persons having the appropriate professional qualifications or distinction in their field. These appointments are unpaid and require active involvement in teaching, research, or creative activities.
| Name | Position | Employer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeman, Puran | Courtesy Professor | University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) | pbridgemohan@ufl.edu |
| Campbell, Richard J | Courtesy Professor | Ciruli Brothers, LLC, Miami, Florida | rcampbell@cirulibrothers.com |
| Gu, Binhe | Courtesy Professor | South Florida Water Management District | bengu57@ufl.edu |
| Palmateer, Aaron | Courtesy Professor | SePRO Corporation | ajp@ufl.edu |
| Roda, Amy Louise | Courtesy Professor | USDA | amy.l.roda@aphis.usda.gov |
|
Sanchez, Federico |
Courtesy Assistant Professor | Pantropical Fruit Institute | federico.sanchez@ufl.edu |
| Wan, Yongshan | Courtesy Professor | South Florida Water Management District | ywan@sfwmd.gov |
| Yang, Yuechao | Courtesy Professor | Shandong Agriculture University | yuechaoyang@ufl.edu |
Retired
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Lydia Borgatta previously served as the Managing Director of Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors. Her introduction to TREC came through use of the master gardener program; a resource instrumental in helping Ms. Borgatta obtain EEL (Environmentally Endangered Land) certification for her North Miami home
President and Owner, Arazoza Brothers
Alby Arazoza is the President of Arazoza Brothers, Corporation. The business is at the forefront of commercial landscape installation, maintenance, environmental services, and irrigation. Their extensive experience is drawn from over 30 years of elaborate horticultural work on projects ranging from refreshing existing designs to landscaping new developments and some of the longest roadways in the state of Florida. Arazoza Brothers is recognized as one of the top complete-service landscape companies in the country. Mr. Arazoza has a Business degree from the University of Florida.
Regional Director, Office of Commissioner Wilton Simpson
Jorge Abreu was born and raised in Miami. He received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from FIU and Bachelor degrees in Environmental Horticulture & Animal Sciences from the University of Florida where he was also a graduate of the esteemed Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture & Natural Resources. Mr. Abreu worked for Altima International Group, LLC and owned and operated West Kendall Nursery, Inc. for 16 years in South Dade County. He has served as Chapter Director and President of Miami-Dade County FNGLA; past President and member of Miami-Dade Agricultural Practices Study Board; and served as a delegate for UF/IFAS and the land grant university system in CARET (Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching).
Mr. Abreu served as the Director of Agriculture for Miami-Dade County District 9. Currently, he serves as a Regional Director of 10 counties for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Owner - Casey's Corner Nursery & Landscaping
Susan Casey has been the owner of Casey’s Corner Nursery, Inc for many years. She is a fountain of knowledge of native plants and produces incredible designs. Mrs. Casey is a charismatic teacher and speaker and the life of any party. She is married to Tom Casey.
President and Co-Owner, Redland Nursery
Vice-President and Co-Owner, Alpha Foliage, Inc.
Jeffrey DeMott is the President and co-owner of Redland Nursery, Inc. and Vice President and co-owner of Alpha Foliage, Inc. Redland Nursery and its affiliated entities comprise a network of family businesses dating back to 1971 whose primary focus is wholesale ornamental horticulture while specializing as "growers, locators, designers, exporters, and consolidators."
Vice President, DiMare Homestead and DiMare Ruskin, Inc.
Anthony “Tony” DiMare is the Vice President for the DiMare Homestead and DiMare Ruskin, Inc. locations of DiMare Company/DiMare Fresh, a grower-packer-shipper-repacker-distributor of fruits and vegetables. He is a third-generation grower with more than 39 years in the agricultural industry.
Mr. DiMare presently serves on the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) BOD (since 1990), Florida Tomato Committee (FTC), Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE), Florida Tomato Growers Exchange (FTGE) BOD (since 1991), Center for Produce Safety (CPS) BOD (since 2016), the CPS Executive Committee (since 2018), including as Treasurer in 2018, and the Gulf Coast Research & Education Center Advisory Council, including as a former Chair. He formerly served on the FFVA Executive Committee from 1997-2008 and as the Chair from 2004-2006. Mr. DiMare also served as the Chair of Florida Specialty Crop Foundation from 2006-2020 and Chairman of the FTC, FTE, and FTGE. He was a part of the Miami-Dade County Farm Bureau BOD from 2004-2006 and a part of the United Fresh BOD from 2008-2012. Mr. DiMare served as the Secretary of Agriculture’s Inaugural USDA Fruit & Vegetable Advisory Committee in 2004, as a part of Congressman Adam Putnam’s Florida Agriculture Trade Advisory Committee from 2002 to 2003, and Commissioner Adam Putnam’s FDACS Florida Agricultural Promotion Advisory Board Committee from 2013-2018.
Mr. DiMare is married with 4 adult children and 4 grandchildren.
Owner, S&L Bean Farms
Salvatore “Sal” Finocchiaro is a co-owner of S&L Bean Farms, established in 1989. Mr. Finocchiaro currently grows 100 acres of field-grown palm trees, 15 acres container nursery, and has 100 acres set aside for CBD hemp. For the past 12 years, Mr. Finocchiaro has supported UF/IFAS TREC’s pest management research studies in his fields which have provided valuable information for developing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs against both vegetable and hemp insect pests.
Mr. Finocchiaro is a former President of the Dade County Farm Bureau.
Partner, ThinkLAB Ventures
Robert Fishman is a native of South Florida. He is a Partner at ThinkLAB Ventures, LLC where he helps manage a diversified set of investments for Leonard Abess and his family. ThinkLAB’s portfolio includes approximately 1,800 acres of farmland in Homestead and Unincorporated Miami-Dade County, a long-term leasehold at the Opa Locka Regional Airport, and a large portfolio of stocks, bonds, real estate, and other investment holdings. Mr. Fishman also supports the operations of Jersey Jack Pinball, a pinball manufacturing and design company.
Mr. Fishman began his business career on Wall Street at JP Morgan Chase after receiving his BA at the University of Pennsylvania. He left the firm to pursue an Executive MBA at the University of Miami, which he completed in 2011.
Owner, Mix'd Greens Environmental, Inc.
Mick Gnaegy has owned and operated Mix’d Greens, Inc. since 1982. Over the course of his agricultural career, Mr. Gnaegy has propagated plants, designed and installed landscapes, and offered irrigation and aquatic services, ISA Arborist tree Services, ground maintenance services, and environmental restorations. Currently Mix’d Greens grows 10 acres of container-grown trees, 70 acres of field-grown palms and trees, and 20 acres of mango and avocado groves; the business specializes in native trees and shrubs.
Mr. Gnaegy is a member of FANN, the Florida Native Plant Society, UF/IFAS Commercial Ornamentals Advisory Committee, Dade County Florida Farm Bureau, the Miami-Dade chapter of FNGLA, and a Trustee of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce. He served as President of the Miami-Dade chapter of FNGLA from 2019 to 2023.
Director of Sales and Client Relations, KimSue Foliage
Kim Hosang is a native of Miami, Florida. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Agriscience and Engineering Magnet Program at Coral Reef High School and is a University of Florida graduate. Currently she is the Director of Sales and Client Relations at KimSue Foliage, a third-generation, family-owned and operated business founded by her grandfather and parents. KimSue Foliage specializes in indoor ornamental foliage and tropical plants catering to the niche industries of interiorscape, plant shoppe, florists, and independent garden center markets.
Ms. Hosang is a past officer of the Miami-Dade FNGLA Board of Directors and presently serves on the UF/IFAS Ornamental Advisory Committee and the Farm Credit’s Young, Beginning and Small Farmer Advisory Committee.
Agricultural Manager for Miami-Dade County
Charles LaPradd was born in Homestead, Florida, to a pioneer family whose roots date back to the 1800s in southern Miami-Dade County. He has worked at all levels of agriculture, including growing, sales, marketing and shipping tropical fruits, vegetables and foliage plants. In May of 2005, Mr. LaPradd was appointed as the first Agricultural Manager for Miami-Dade County, a position he still holds. In this position, he advocates for and on behalf of Miami-Dade County's agricultural interests and serves as a single point of contact between the agriculture industry and Miami-Dade County. Mr. LaPradd holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Central Florida and an Associate of Arts from Miami-Dade Community College.
Senior Director Costa Farms
Dr. Mike Merida received his Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM) and Bachelors of Science in Horticulture from the University of Florida. He has worked at Costa Farms for over 16 years in various roles including IPM Manager, Grower, and Production Manager in Miami. During this time, Dr. Merida was awarded the Young Grower of the Year by GrowerTalk in 2009. Currently, he works as the Senior Technical Director, for the Foliage Operation in Costa Farms where he manages over 800 acres of production. His primary responsibility is supporting the Head Growers and Operations throughout all operating units of Costa Farms. His main focuses are managing growing practices, pest & disease management, field scouts, the potting department, live goods receiving, standards and process improvements. In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and two girls, fishing, surfing and rooting for the Gators.
Owner Motes Orchids
Dr. Martin Motes is widely regarded as the foremost expert on vanda orchids in the world. His published articles on vandas include descriptions of several new species, among them, V. mariae, for his wife of more than 40 years, Mary. His nursery, Motes Orchids, specializes in unique vanda hybrids of his own creation.
In 2009, the species Vanda motesiana was named in his honor. Martin founded the Redland and Tamiami International Orchid Festivals, the largest orchid events in the United States. He is a Research Fellow at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens and is a consultant on Fairchild's Million Orchid Project, which aims to restore native Florida orchids to Miami-Dade County.
Tropical Fruit Crops Representative, Agricultural Practices Advisory Board in Miami-Dade County
Mark Philcox owned and operated Grove Services, Inc. for over 40 years! Mr. Philcox has served on TREC’s Advisory Board Committee for over ten years. During that time, Mr. Philcox has helped TREC to harvest and sell tropical fruits grown on the property. The revenue received from the Tropical Fruit Program helps to cover the high prices of fertilizers and pesticides and has supported the Center during times of budget constraint.
Owner Railroad Nursery
Barney Rutzke, Jr. is a member of a family that has been farming and ranching in Florida since 1907. He is the current owner of Railroad Nursery, Inc., a 350-acre plant nursery in South Florida. Established in 2001, Railroad Nursery focuses on producing high-quality Tropical Foliage and Ornamental plants for a variety of wholesale and retail customers.
Mr. Rutzke, Jr. currently serves as the President of Dade County Farm Bureau, the Vice President of the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA), on the Miami-Dade Agricultural Practices Advisory Board, and on the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Advisory Committee for Environmental Horticulture. In addition, he is also very active in various Task Forces and Committees that focus on Agricultural Issues. Some examples include: the Hibiscus Bud Weevil and Thrips parvispinus Task Forces, worked with local and state elected officials on the DERM Interim Guidance, Truck Parking, Heat Ordinance, Agri-Tourism Event Venue and Immigration issues.
Because of his family history and personal farming experience, Barney is not only well versed in field/fruit crop production and the nursery business but works hard to ensure that Agriculture continues to be a profitable and viable entity.
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Mary Schneider is much more than a retired school teacher--she is one of the most outspoken and ardent supporters of the agricultural industry of Miami-Dade County, specifically the ornamental industry. Mrs. Schneider has served on the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association (FNGLA) Board of Directors for many years in various positions, including as President twice. For over 15 years, she has served as President of the Dade County AGRI-Council, a non-profit organization that promotes and supports the agricultural industry in Miami-Dade County.
Mrs. Schneider produced the Miami-Dade Chapter Foliage Guide to help promote the county's foliage industry and was instrumental in the establishment of the Montgomery Botanical Seed Bank, an online auction platform that helps with the collection and preservation of imperiled plants. Recognizing the damage that various pests and diseases cause to local agriculture production, Mrs. Schneider was instrumental in getting the Miami-Dade Chapter of FNGLA to establish an Endowment at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research & Education Center to fund pest management research.
Among the awards which Mrs. Schneider has won include the Babe Greer Award (twice), the 2013 FNGLA Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award, the 2022 UF/IFAS Outstanding Volunteer of the Award. You can find her at any agricultural event in Miami-Dade County handing out programs, serving food, or ushering people to their seats.
Owner Schnebly Winery and Miami Brewery
Peter Schnebly has been living and working in South Florida for over 37 years. He is dedicated to improving South Florida and especially the Redland Agricultural Area. Mr. Schnebly set a goal to start an agro-tourism business based on his farms in the Redland of South Florida.
Sustainable farming became a top priority as Schnebly wines are made from only the finest fruit. Each mango, lychee, guava, passion fruit, and carambola is personally picked for fermentation. In 2011, Mr. Schnebly dove into craft beers and in 2014 he created the RedLander Restaurant, kick-starting the culinary farm to table movement in the Redland and South Dade. The Schnebly name is now synonymous with all three brands. The vision of creating an agro-tourism destination has almost been fully realized.
Owner, Pine Island Nursery and Miracle Fruit Farm, LLC
Erik Tietig is the co-owner and CEO of the Miracle Fruit Farm and Vice President of Pine Island Nursery. He has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and is a second-generation nursery professional specializing in fruit crops. His recognitions include the FNGLA Young Nursery Professional of the Year, Southern Nursery Association Young Nursery Professional of the Year, and the OFA National Young Farmer of the Year. He also serves on numerous volunteer boards. Most notably as the President of the Dade County Farm Bureau, Chairman of the University of Florida’s Tropical Fruit Advisory Board, and past chairman of the University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center’s Advisory Board.
Owner Greendale Nursery
Mark Wilson runs the 30-acre Greendale Nursery in Homestead, Florida which produces plants that are sold throughout North America. The plants from Greendale Nursery make their way to garden centers in the southeastern U.S. and Canada, to theme parks near Orlando, and to resorts in the U.S. and the Caribbean. With his company’s reputation for quality control, Greendale Nursery is one of few firms allowed to export to certain Caribbean islands. Enhancing the reach of his business, Mr. Wilson now includes social media to advertise and sell plants to members of the millennial generation.
Mr. Wilson serves as an advisory board member of the Economic Development Council of South Florida, has chaired the state committee for USDA’s Farm Service Agency, been a director of Florida Farm Bureau, and served on the Governor’s Commission for a Sustainable South Florida. In 2017, the Florida Farm Bureau recognized Mr. Wilson's Greendale Nursery as Florida Farm of the Year.