University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

People

World-Renowned Researchers

Across our college, we have some of the most respected researchers in the world working in our labs and teaching in our classrooms.


Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, is shown (left) presenting the Distinguished Service Award to Joe West, assistant dean of the University of Georgia Tifton campus. CAES News
Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, is shown (left) presenting the Distinguished Service Award to Joe West, assistant dean of the University of Georgia Tifton campus.
UGA-Tifton Assistant Dean Joe West recipient of Distinguished Service Award
Joe West, assistant dean of the University of Georgia Tifton campus, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, held Jan. 16 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.
Jim McFerson, director of Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, presents famed USDA turfgrass breeder Wayne Hanna, UGA professor of crop and soil sciences, with the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAPB's annual meeting in Pine Mountain, Georgia. CAES News
Jim McFerson, director of Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, presents famed USDA turfgrass breeder Wayne Hanna, UGA professor of crop and soil sciences, with the National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAPB's annual meeting in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
UGA's Wayne Hanna honored with achievement award
University of Georgia scientist Wayne Hanna has received his share of awards, but he says there’s something extra special about the Lifetime Achievement Award he received at the National Association of Plant Breeders annual meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
University of Georgia Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Larry Beuchat (right) and UGA Professor Francisco Diez were recognized by the International Association for Food Protection at the association’s annual meeting held July 21–24, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky. CAES News
University of Georgia Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Larry Beuchat (right) and UGA Professor Francisco Diez were recognized by the International Association for Food Protection at the association’s annual meeting held July 21–24, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Beuchat, Diez honored by International Association for Food Protection
Two University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences food scientists have been presented awards of excellence from the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Larry Beuchat and Professor Francisco Diez were recognized at the association’s annual meeting held July 21–24 in Louisville, Kentucky.
UGA's Wes Porter is an expert in precision agriculture. He is located on the UGA Tifton campus. CAES News
UGA's Wes Porter is an expert in precision agriculture. He is located on the UGA Tifton campus.
UGA Extension precision agriculture expert Wes Porter honored
A University of Georgia scientist’s dedication to educating Georgia farmers about the benefits of precision agriculture has garnered him international recognition. Wes Porter, a UGA Cooperative Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist, will receive the Educator/Researcher Award from the PrecisionAg Institute at the InfoAg Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, on Tuesday, July 23.
Ronald Pegg is a professor in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He was named a 2019 Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and received the UGA Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 2013. CAES News
Ronald Pegg is a professor in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He was named a 2019 Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor and received the UGA Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 2013.
Food scientist Ronald Pegg loves to see the light switch on in his students
Whether food scientist Ronald Pegg is chasing coffee “from bean to cup” in Costa Rica or pinpointing the phenolic antioxidant constituents in Georgia pecans, he has a passion for inspiring an investigative spirit in his students. 
Based on the UGA Griffin campus, Bodie Pennisi coordinates a statewide program that supports the professional landscape industry. She also assists UGA Extension agents with landscape troubleshooting, landscape planning and local programming, and she conducts applied research on wildflowers and ornamental plants. CAES News
Based on the UGA Griffin campus, Bodie Pennisi coordinates a statewide program that supports the professional landscape industry. She also assists UGA Extension agents with landscape troubleshooting, landscape planning and local programming, and she conducts applied research on wildflowers and ornamental plants.
Bodie Pennisi named Public Service and Outreach Faculty Fellow at UGA
University of Georgia Department of Horticulture Professor Bodie Pennisi has been named a UGA Public Service and Outreach (PSO) Faculty Fellow for 2019-2020. The program provides UGA professors with an opportunity to apply their research and course curriculum to the needs of a specific PSO unit at the university.
D.W. Brooks Award
Excellence in Research
Quinggou “Jack” Huang has built a career cleaning the water and soil of contaminants many people don’t want to think about. In the last decade, Huang has become one the world’s foremost experts on using enzymes to break down some of the most persistent contaminants in the modern environment — namely hormones and perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAs) — organic compounds that are used in fire retardants and nonstick surfaces.
D.W. Brooks Award
Excellence in Global Programs
In the U.S., Yen-Con Hung made headlines for developing the application of electrolyzed oxidizing water to reduce bacterial contamination and disinfect surfaces, a compelling contribution to the food service and food manufacturing industries. Globally, Hung has garnered an even greater reputation for international collaboration and outreach to food scientists in other countries.
Professor and Pioneer
Shaping the Learning Environment
Associate Professor Franklin West (Ph.D. – Animal and Dairy Science, ’08) takes a student-centered approach to teaching. Using his own path and principles as examples, West inspires students to challenge themselves.
Exceptional Teacher
Meigs Professor of Horticulture
Tim Smalley, who is known for teaching horticulture classes under the Meigs white oak tree, has revamped courses to engage students with learning experiences in and out of the classroom. His Art and Gardens of the Grand Tour study-abroad program has heightened students' horticultural and cultural appreciation since 2001.