Spring 2025 In this issue: Director’s Message ...................... 1 Research Report: Dr. Geoffrey Meru ...................... 3 TREC In Focus Graduate Student: Marielle de Berto Moraes ....... 4 Advisory Board: Kim Hosang ...... 4
Post Doc: Dr. Aline Tassi ............. 5 Student Awards ........................... 6 Faculty & Staff Awards ................ 7 Celebrating Research ................... 8 Notable Moments ........................ 9 EDIS Publications ...................... 10 Upcoming Extension Events ....... 10 Research Publications ............... 11
Let’s get Tropical! ...................... 12
Inside TREC is a quarterly newsletter distributed by the Communications & Marketing Development Unit of the UF/ IFAS TREC via e-mail and can be found on the UF/IFAS TREC website. You may forward any questions or comments about this periodical to Monique Scoggin, mis6664@ufl.edu.
From the Desk of the Director As summer begins in south Florida, and nature turns up the thermostat to its max, we here at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) in Homestead are celebrating the sweat—not the sweat caused by the hot humid conditions, but that which has resulted in the remarkable achievements of our faculty and students. Their work continues to elevate UF’s global reputation in the tropical and subtropical agricultural and natural resources sciences. For instance, all four of our faculty members (Drs. Jonathan Crane, Yuncong Li, Bruce Schaffer, and Shouan Zhang) who submitted their body of work covering the past five years for post-tenure assessment were successful, receiving a rating of Exceeds Expectations. And, recently, it was announced that Dr. Xingbo Wu, our ornamental breeder, has been honored with the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Early Career Award. This national recognition is awarded to scientists who have made significant contributions to horticultural science within the first seven years of their career. Dr. Wu’s pioneering research in the genetic improvement of vanilla, hibiscus, and hydrangeas is advancing plant breeding while also supporting sustainable agriculture and economic development in tropical regions. (Click here for more information.) Our students also have been reaping the continued on page 2