Bob Shulstad

Southscapes Spring 2008

Q&A with Bob Shulstad

By Faith Peppers

In November 2007, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences welcomed Dr. Bob Shulstad as associate dean for research. Shulstad is by no means a newcomer to the college. He first joined the administration in 1987 as head of the agricultural and applied economics department. In 1999, he became the first director of the college's office of environmental sciences. He was named assistan dean for research in 2001 and acting associate dean for research in April of 2006. As Shulstad begins his first year as head of the college's research programs, he answered a few questions to offer insight into his goals for CAES research.

How does the college's research program contribute to Georgia?

The CAES research program provides research and development for Georgia's agricultural producers and agribusinesses, as well as our county and community leaders, on all problems related to sustainability, profitability and environmental enhancement.

What are CAES's research priorities for the coming year?

Enhancing research in the following areas:

Water use efficiency in agricultural production, processing and urban landscapes.

Identifying alternative biofuel feedstocks and increasing the efficiency of their production.

Food safety and new food product development.

Plant and animal breeding, genomics and genetics to increase resistance to drought, disease and pests.

New management systems to increase product quality, nutrition, safety and profitability.

What are the greatest challenges facing the CAES research program?

CAES is rapidly replacing the research capacity lost during the last recession. During this time, other universities and the private sector were able to bid away faculty, and positions were left unfilled. Our faculty are aggressively leveraging state funding with funding from industry, foundation, and agency grants and contracts. This will need to continue in order to provide our stakeholders with the research results essential to their success.

Do you have any changes planned for CAES research?

I am extremely pleased with the exceptional progress being made within CAES to find both short- and long-term solutions to the problems facing Georgia, the nation and the world. Faculty, staff and administration are working as a team to assure we are getting the maximum return from the public funds invested in our programs.

I will be doing everything I can to enhance our funding opportunities and to maintain a highly productive working environment for our faculty, staff and students. Strong partnerships will be the key. I greatly appreciate the support of our many stakeholders.