GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A University of Florida plant scientist, who has created varieties of sugarcane that are grown across more than 90 percent of Florida and in several Central American countries, has been given a national award for his innovative work.
The American Society of Agronomy has awarded the Early Career Scientist Award to Hardev Sandhu, a sugarcane specialist at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Sandhu, an assistant professor of agronomy, is based at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, Florida.
The ASA Early Career Award recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in agronomy within seven years of completing their final degree. His work in sugarcane is far-reaching.
“I am particularly proud of Dr. Sandhu as he has done a phenomenal job in his sugarcane agronomist faculty position in publishing articles, developing sugarcane and energycane cultivars, and working with our clientele to build a research and Extension program that is impactful in Florida and internationally,” said Robert Gilbert, chair of the UF/IFAS agronomy department. “He is a consummate professional and a joy to work with, and he is richly deserving of this award.”
Sandhu received a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Punjab Agricultural University, India, and a Ph.D. from UF. He is well recognized in the national and international sugarcane community for his research in sugarcane cultivar development and their management. Sandhu was also invited internationally to present his research on development of sugarcane for bioenergy purposes.
Sandhu has authored or co-authored 51 refereed publications and 47 Extension articles in the last seven years. He is mentoring two Ph.D. and two master’s students, and serves on the committees of eight other graduate students.
Sandhu is a member of the technical program committee of the agronomy section in the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, and a member of the American Society of Agronomy, International Society of Precision Agriculture and the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists.
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The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS works to bring science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Visit the UF/IFAS web site at ifas.ufl.edu and follow us on social media at @UF_IFAS.
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