Tifton Campus: Administration

TUGA Times

March 20 , 2009

 

Welcome to USDA faculty member

Dr. Karen Harris began her assignment as a Research Geneticist with the Crops Genetic and Breeding Research Unit on March 16, 2009. Karen grew up in Lexington, Kentucky and since graduating high school in 1997 has been keeping the USPS service change of address department busy. Harris graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a BS in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology as well as a degree in Ecology and Evolution in 2001. She then moved to Texas A&M University and received a PhD in Biochemistry in 2007. Her thesis topic was genetic studies on the stay-green drought tolerance trait and her major professor was Dr. John Mullet. She remained at Texas A&M the following summer and fine- mapped the maturity locus MA5-2 in sorghum. Harris then traveled to beautiful Charleston, SC and did her post doc with Dr. Amnon Levi, USDA-ARS, studying the genetics of resistance to Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus and Fusarium Wilt in watermelon. Although she misses the people at the US Vegetable Lab in Charleston, she is thrilled to have moved to Tifton as a Research Geneticist primarily on turf grasses. Karen is a devoted Toastmaster and is active in her church. Her children are all four legged. Karen looks forward to getting to know all of you.

 

Safety Week

I promised some numbers from the recent UGA Tifton Campus Safety Week. A broad range of topics were covered by four faculty from the UGA Tifton Campus, two ABAC employees, one nurse from Colquitt Co. Regional Hospital, one Tift Co. EMS captain, and three employees from UGA in Athens. Over 400 employees from the UGA CAES, USDA-ARS and College of Veterinary Medicine attended. Overall it was a very productive and useful Safety Week. Thanks to Stan Diffie for his leadership in this effort. Stan and the Safety Committee would like suggestions on topics and speakers for next year’s Safety Week.

 

Campus driving safety

There have been some recent automotive near misses on campus. It is a very busy time of year, and farm equipment, mowers, trucks and tractors are on the move. Please be observant and cautious around campus. Accidents can often be prevented by simply not speeding, and not driving the wrong way on one-way streets. In addition, the roadway behind the Administration Building narrows and there is a blind curve. Moderating speed and making a conscious effort to stay on the right side of the road is important for this somewhat dangerous area. We have a good safety record here, let’s keep it that way.

 

Clean-up day

The area in and around the red top barns, extension shop, and other associated buildings near the RDC pivot has become relatively cluttered and unsightly over time. I am asking Mr. Tim Ross to coordinate an effort to clean up the area. A roll-off dumpster will be placed on site. All scientists who have activities in those areas are asked to designate their technicians and/or student workers to assist in clean-up. In order to have a coordinated effort and to ensure that important items are not inadvertently thrown away, a clean-up is scheduled for next Friday, March 27 at 9:00 am. If everyone pitches in the clean-up should be completed in short order, improving the space available for research activities and storage. I would appreciate everyone’s cooperation, as this will benefit everyone who works in the area. Please contact Tim Ross with any questions about the process.

 

Tifton Campus Web Spotlight

Do you have a special person, event, recognition or achievement that you would like to spotlight on the UGA Tifton Campus Web site? We are looking for items to help show the great work our faculty and staff do on and off the campus. Please e-mail a short blurb (250 words or so) describing the spotlight item to the Assistant Dean’s Office at dirtif@uga.edu . Please try and include digital pictures to help to illustrate the activity.

 

SAVE THE DATE! ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM FOLLOWED BY ICE CREAM SOCIAL - THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2:00 PM-TCCC - More details to follow.

 

Upcoming events

• Sigma Xi - Mar. 26, 11:00am-Admin. Bldg. Conf. Rm........Changying Li - Tifton - “Advanced Sensing for Food and Fiber”
  
• Wimba Conference - Apr. 15-9:00am on the web.
  
• Relay For Life - Apr. 24-25-7pm EB Hamilton Park
  
• Ag Awareness-Tifton Campus - Apr. 30-9:00am to 1:00pm
  
• UGA Students last day of class - Apr. 30
  
• Provost Mace Faculty/Staff Video Conference - April 30, 2- 4pm, TCCC
  
• UGA Tifton Students Graduate Reception - May 3, 2pm, TCCC
  
• Annual Faculty/Staff Awards Program - May 7, 2pm, TCCC
• Campus activity calendar
  
  

Please send your items for the TUGA Times to Teri at (229) 386-3338 or terish@uga.edu

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