GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A longtime UF/IFAS professor will step into the role of interim director at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, officials have announced.

Phil Stansly, an entomologist who conducts research on pests affecting major crops grown in southwest Florida, including citrus and vegetables, will begin his new job Nov. 1.

Stansly has been with UF since July 1986, starting as an assistant professor and working his way up to tenured professor in July 1999. His research focuses on serious agricultural pests that include the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect responsible for spreading citrus greening, and the silverleaf whitefly. He also has Extension duties that include sharing current scientific research with growers and helping them understand how best to minimize threats from such pests.

“Dr. Stansly is an accomplished scientist and I have every confidence in him as he takes on this new challenge,” said Jack Payne, UF’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources.

The 320-acre Immokalee center has housed researchers who specialize in citrus and vegetable horticulture, among other topics. It became a UF/IFAS station in 1986.

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