By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source(s):
Mike Martin mvm@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1971
Bob McGovern rjm@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-3631
George Agrios gna@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-3631
GAINESVILLE, Fla.—The University of Florida’s Doctor of Plant Medicine program – believed to be the first program of its kind at any university – will be directed by Bob McGovern, associate professor of plant pathology, effective July 1.
He replaces George Agrios, who is retiring and will continue serving as professor emeritus in the plant pathology department.
In announcing the change, Mike Martin, UF vice president for agriculture and natural resources, thanked Agrios for his pioneering efforts in getting the program established in UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in 1999.
“As one of the world’s leading plant pathologists, George Agrios contributed significantly to UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, particularly the development of the Doctor of Plant Medicine program,” Martin said. “George’s knowledge and expertise were instrumental in the success of the program. As professor emeritus, he will remain a vital part of the UF faculty.”
Martin also expressed confidence in the leadership of Bob McGovern, who joined the UF faculty in 1990. “Bob McGovern will provide purposeful and important leadership to the program, and we are pleased that he has agreed to accept the role as director.”
Since 2000, more than 30 students have enrolled in the DPM program, which trains them to diagnose problems that affect plants and make recommendations to correct those ailments.
“Graduates are called plant doctors,” McGovern said. “They are able to diagnose and treat illness in a plant the same way a medical doctor would treat a human patient. For the first time, we have combined the knowledge and expertise from various disciplines into one degree program that parallels professional programs in medicine and veterinary medicine.”
The DPM program requires three to four years of course work at the graduate level across various disciplines and departments. He said the program was created to meet the growing demand for professionals who have a broad range of experience in growing and maintaining healthy plants for many types of public and private applications, ranging from production agriculture to ornamental horticulture and golf course management.
“Plant doctors offer expert service to rural and urban plant growers alike, and their expertise will help protect our environment and water resources,” McGovern said. “By making the correct diagnosis and prescribing the best, scientifically determined treatment, they will help reduce the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other materials that can harm the environment.”
McGovern said plant ailments can be caused by living agents ranging from pathogens such as fungi, bacteria and viruses to insects, mites and nematodes, vertebrate pests such as birds, gophers and mice, and weeds. Plant problems also may be caused by non-living factors such as nutrient deficiencies/excesses, water imbalances temperature extremes, air pollution and sub-optimal soil pH values.
The DPM program is housed in UF’s plant pathology department, but leads to an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental degree from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Courses are provided by many departments, including agronomy, entomology and nematology, horticultural sciences, plant pathology and soil and water science. Students also are required to take courses in agricultural law, business management and communications.
The program requires 90 semester credits of graduate course work plus 30 semester credits of internship. Students will be required to complete internships in pest and disease identification labs, at UF/IFAS research and centers, in agribusiness and with extension specialists.
It is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any of the biological sciences and appropriate academic credentials. A professional license by a state licensing board is under consideration for the near future, McGovern said.
McGovern received his bachelor’s degree in history from Fordham University in New York City. He worked as a medical technologist at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. He completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in plant pathology at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. McGovern directed the Horticulture & Diagnostics Department of Frank’s Nursery and Crafts in Detroit before joining UF.
For more information on the program, visit the following Web site: http://www.dpm.ifas.ufl.edu/ or contact McGovern at (352) 392-3631. His e-mail address is rjm@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
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