Source(s):
Mike Martin mvm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1971
Ron Sonoda rmso@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1784

FORT PIERCE, Fla.—Ronald Sonoda, professor of plant pathology emeritus at the University of Florida’s Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce, has been named interim director of the center, effective Feb. 5.

He replaces Calvin Arnold, who recently became director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research laboratory in Fort Pierce. Arnold, who joined the faculty of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in 1969, has been director of the UF center since 1995.

In announcing the new appointment, Mike Martin, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said Sonoda is well respected by the UF/IFAS administration, faculty and clientele. Sonoda, who previously served as interim director of the center from 1994 to 1995, will serve as interim director until a permanent replacement is selected.

Martin also said Harold Browning, director of UF’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, would assist Sonoda with research coordination and leadership. The UF vice president said Mitch Flinchum, professor at the Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, would assist with coordination and leadership of academic programs at the Fort Pierce center.

Sonoda, who joined the UF faculty in 1969, received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Sacramento State University in 1963. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees in plant pathology from the University of California, Davis, in 1965 and 1969, respectively.

Martin said Arnold’s leadership will be missed at the center, but his new USDA appointment will allow UF to build a strong working relationship with the federal program, which is located adjacent to the UF center.

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