Source(s):
Henry Gholz hlg@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu, (352) 846-0889
Michael Clegg (202) 334-2215

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Henry Gholz, professor of forest ecology with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, has been appointed to serve on the National Research Council’s (NRC) Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources for a two-year period ending in 2003.

Gholz, a faculty member of the UF’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation since 1979, will serve on the Standing Committee on Biotechnology, Food and Fiber Production, and the Environment. The NRC is the principal operating unit of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine, all of which are based in Washington, D.C.

In announcing the appointment, Michael Clegg, chair of the NRC’s Commission on Life Sciences, said the academies draw upon leading scientists, engineers and professionals to advise the nation on issues of scientific and technical importance.

“We are grateful that Henry Gholz has accepted this appointment to serve as a member of this standing committee,” Clegg said. “The committee will maintain surveillance of scientific issues in the areas of plant, animal and microorganism biotechnology as it applies to public policy, food and fiber production, agriculture and the environment.”

Clegg said the committee will identify emerging scientific issues and set priorities for studies that should be undertaken by the national academies.

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