International Fellows
UF/IFAS boasts a large number of highly qualified faculty members who have dedicated a significant amount of their time to collaborative research projects and to increasing the International awareness of our students. They truly contribute to the globalization of the university, which benefits our students, our faculty, our citizens, and the world. Faculty members identified for their outstanding global efforts are recognized annually as IFAS International Fellows.
In 2004, UF/IFAS International Programs and the International Program Advisory Team (IPAT) (link to IPAT on this webpage) established an annual award of International Fellow to recognize outstanding international endeavors by UF/IFAS faculty members. Two recipients each year are recognized by the Sr. Vice President of UF/IFAS and receive a $1,000 award. They are also recognized on a plaque on display outside of the International Programs office. Look for the call for nominations for 2006 this fall. We are proud to present the UF/IFAS International Fellows:
2007 International Fellow
Dr. Steve Otwell Professor, Ph.D.
Food Science and Human Nutrition
Florida Sea Grant
W. Steven Otwell, Ph.D., a professor in the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department and Florida Sea Grant seafood extension specialist, has been named the 2007 recipient of the UF/IFAS International Fellow Award.
The program Steve Otwell created has an international reputation and the work he has performed has significantly impacted the international seafood industry.
Otwell has made great contributions in advancing seafood research and the Extension capabilities of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.
Additionally, Otwell raised funds to construct the world-class research facilities in the Aquatic Food Products Lab. He advances graduate students through focusing on practical applications of their research.
Otwell consistently has the vision to predict and initiate both research and Extension training prior to the time they are needed, anticipating shifts in the industry his
program serves.
During Otwell’s early career at UF/IFAS, Florida still had a significant domestic seafood industry. Changing conditions in the state and nation created substantive changes in the seafood industry.
While still significant in Florida, the seafood industry now focuses primarily on processing and the retail sector, relying heavily on imported seafood rather than wild-caught product from Florida or the Southeast regional waters. Otwell has been flexible in reorienting his research and extension programs to serve the changing seafood industry, a trait critically important during times of great change.
2006 International Fellows
Dr. Nick Comerford, Professor, Ph.D.
“Dr. Comerford’s contributions clearly put him in the ranks of world-class scientist and educator and his accomplishments demonstrate his unusual creativity, excellence in reasoning ability, and technical skills that will have impact in meeting the needs of international clientele. These and other accomplishments were the basis for recognizing Dr. Nick Comerford as an IFAS International Fellow.”
--
Jimmy Cheek, Senior Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, January 11, 2007.
Dr. Lawrence Datnoff, Professor, Ph.D.
"Dr. Datnoff has dedicated thirty years to highly productive international service and research. Datnoff’s efforts have led to significant advancements in international cooperative research, teaching, and service, with special emphasis on the use of silicon for plant disease control, for which he is undoubtedly the world’s premier expert.”
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Dr. Jimmy Cheek, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, January 11, 2007.
Dr. Karen Kainer, Assistant Professor, Ph.D.
School of Forest Resources and Conservation
"Dr. Karen Kainer has developed a strong, well-funded research program in tropical forest ecology that integrates community development. Her international activities have had a broad impact on internationalizing the campus and have raised UF’s profile as an institution committed to supporting developing-country initiatives for improved tropical forest management and conservation.”
-- Dr. Jimmy Cheek, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, January 11, 2007.
Dr. Edward "Gilly" Evans, Assistant Professor, PhD.
Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead
"Dr. Edward “Gilly” Evans has produced a cascade of international accomplishments of great benefit to the University of Florida and our state. Gilly took the lead in developing a Caribbean Basin-Pacific Basin project on the economic aspects of managing invasive species. In addition, Gilly has provided strong leadership in developing a strategy for safeguarding the Greater Caribbean Region—which includes the southern USA—from harmful invasive species. Evans is also passionate about the need for international trade that is not only fair and free, but also safe."
--Dr. Jimmy Cheek, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, January 11, 2007.
2005 International Fellows
Dr. Daniel J. Cantliffe, Professor and Chair, Ph.D.
“The numerous requests that you have had to participate with programs in Brazil, Korea, Italy, Israel and other countries attest to the success of your outreach efforts. The innovative systems that you have developed will go far toward increasing sustainability on a global basis. Your practices of providing graduate and doctoral students with hands on training, both in research techniques and in international relations, will forever mold them. And your efforts to bring that knowledge back into the classroom will provide younger students with invaluable insight into the possibilities of international programs."
--Dr. Jimmy G. Cheek, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources,
University of Florida, November 9, 2005.
Dr. Susan Jacobson, Professor, Ph.D.
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
“The outstanding work that you have done extending research and teaching to the far reaches of Kenya, Uganda, Central America and other areas is most impressive. It is clear that your work with graduate and doctoral students will have far reaching implications for these countries and their people. Your accomplishments in the areas of publishing, outreach, and leadership are equally impressive.”
--Dr. Jimmy G. Cheek, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Florida, November 9, 2005.
2004 International Fellows
Dr. Jim Jones, Distinguished Professor, Ph.D.
Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Profile (268KB pdf)
“Congratulations on your outstanding achievements. I think it is an honor to be selected by your peers as one of the elite faculty members who lead international projects”.
--Richard L. Jones, Interim Vice President for Agricultural and Natural Resources, November 3, 2004.
Dr. P.K. Nair. Distinguished Professor, Ph.D.
School of Forest Resources and Conservation
“It is both an honor and a pleasure to be able to tell you that you have been selected as one of the first two IFAS International Fellows. Congratulations on your outstanding achievements."
--Richard L. Jones, Interim Vice President for Agricultural and Natural Resources, November 3, 2004.
