By:
Tim Lockette

Source:
Michael V. Martin mvm@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1971

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—An expert in invasive aquatic plants has been chosen as the new head of the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Department at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

Randall Stocker, a professor of invasive plant management and director of UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, was named acting chair of the department this week, and began his term on Oct. 1. His appointment was announced by UF Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Mike Martin.

Stocker replaces former chair Bill Lindberg, an associate professor of marine ecology who served in the position for four years. Lindberg is stepping down to spend more time on teaching and research.

Stocker has been a member of the faculty at UF since 1995. Before coming to UF/IFAS, he served worked as a research ecologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Miss., and as manager of planning and technical services for the Imperial Irrigation District, in Imperial, California.

He holds a doctorate in botany from Washington State University and a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Stocker was among a team of researchers who received an honor award and a unit award for distinguished services in 1989 for their accomplishments in biological control of hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant.

-30-

0