Gabriel "Gabe" Saldana is responsible for disseminating news and information about the initiatives and successes of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas. Before joining Texas A&M, he worked as a newspaper reporter and subsequently news editor in the Rio Grande Valley of Deep South Texas. His career with AgriLife Research includes 3 years as communications manager with the agency’s international agriculture institute, covering Texas A&M initiatives in the developing world. His communication efforts each year garner local, regional and global coverage in prestigious popular and scientific outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Science Magazine and most major media outlets across North Texas. Saldana’s photos and instructional videos on AgriLife initiatives continue to be consumed by millions across social media.

Dr. Chandra’s primary responsibility and research interest is breeding (applied and molecular) and cultivar development of warm- and cool-season turfgrass species for home lawns, athletic fields and golf courses. 

Her work employs a holistic systems approach involving cultivar development, marketing, and commercialization through industry collaboration. Chandra is an active contributor across the interdisciplinary functions of turfgrass science: genomics, physiology, entomology, pathology, soils and socio-economics.

Her worked to develop high-throughput greenhouse/growth chamber phenotyping procedures continues to bolster efficiency in evaluating (and mapping) large turfgrass breeding populations for traits of interest, including a wide range of biotic and abiotic stress tolerances.

Dr. Chandra's one page CV is available by clicking here. 

Sandy Wisdorf graduated from The Landscape Career Centre in Anoka, Mn. with a two-year degree in horticulture. She later earned an associates degree from Collin College of Plano, TX. Originally from Minneapolis, Wisdorf served as assistant groundskeeper and indoor horticulturist for General Mills World Headquarters. She is also a Texas Master Gardener.

Genhua Niu, Professor

Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas, TX 75252 | gniu@ag.tamu.edu | 972 852 9226

Education Background

Ph.D. - Horticultural Engineering, Chiba University, Japan

M.S.- Agricultural Engineering, Zhejiang University, China

B.S.- Agricultural Engineering, Zhejiang University, China

Professional Experience

2019 to present: Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Dallas, TX

2016 to 2019: Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, El Paso, TX

2010 to 2016: Associate Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, El Paso, TX

2004 to 2010: Assistant Professor, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, El Paso, TX

2003 to 2004: Visiting Scientist, USDA –ARS, Beltsville, MD

2001 to 2003: Research Director, Southern Sun BioSystems, Inc., SC

1998 to 2001: Research Associate, Michigan State University

1997 to 1998: Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Post-doc fellow, Chiba Univ, Japan

Area of Expertise

• Controlled environment agriculture
• Indoor vertical farming
• Plant stress physiology

Awards and Recognitions  

• 2018 ASHS Outstanding Ornamental Publication Award winner for the 2017 publication “Morphological and Physiological Responses of Ten Ornamental Taxa to Saline Water Irrigation” [HortScience 52(12):1816-1822]. (Corresponding and key contributor)
• 2016 Kenneth Post Award of ASHS (co-author): 'Development of a Rapid Screening Method for Selection Against High Temperature Susceptibility in Garden Roses'.
• 2016 Recipient of the Distinguished Research Award, Southern Region ASHS.
• 2016 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Superior Service Awards, Team member for Texas Strawberry project, Lead PI: Russ Wallace.
• 2014 Extension Communications Award (team), Southern Region ASHS. Earth-Kind Landscape Management.
• 2010 Bridge Fellow of Japan Society for Promotion of Science. Hosted by Chiba University from Nov. 6 to Dec. 11, 2010.
• 2007 USDA CSREES National Water Program Award for Outstanding Integrated Activities for Water Resources, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, Team Member. The first USDA national teamwork award for integrated water resources, ranked number 1 out of 37 nominations.
• 2006 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence, Rio Grande Basin Initiative, Team Member, Texas A&M University Agriculture Program.

• 1997 – 1998 Post-doctoral Research Fellow of Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS), Chiba University, Japan
• 1992 –1997 Japanese Government Scholarship Recipient, Chiba University, Japan.

Publications – Summary table (September 2019)

Recent representative publications  

1. Liu, Q., Y. Sun, J. Altland, and Niu. 2019. Morphological and physiological responses of Cornus alba to salt and drought stresses. HortScience (in press).
2. Hooks, T., Niu, and G. Ganjegunte. 2019. Seedling emergence and seedling growth of mustard and rapeseed genotypes under salt stress. Agrosystems, Geoscience & Environment. (in press)
3. Niu, G., T.D. Davis, and J. Masabni. 2019. A review of salinity tolerance research in horticultural crops. Journal of Arid Land Studies. Special Issue (in press).
4. Qu, X., Wang, M. Chen, J. Liao, J. Yuan, G. Niu. 2019. Drought Stress Induced Physiological and Metabolic Changes in Leaves of Two Oil Tea Cultivars. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science (in press).
5. Dou, H., Niu, and M. Gu. 2019. Photosynthesis, morphology, yield, and phytochemical accumulation in basil plants influenced by substituting green light for partial red and/or blue light. HortScience (in press).
6. Wang, Y., Y. Sun, Niu, C. Deng, Y. Wang, and J. Gardea-Torresdey. 2019. Growth, gas exchanges, mineral nutrition of ornamental grasses irrigated with saline water. HortScience (in press).
7. Cheng, Y., D. He, J. He, Niu, and R. Gao. 2019. Effect of light/dark cycle on photosynthetic pathway switching and CO2 absorption in two Dendrobium species. Frontiers in Plant Science. Vol 10, article 659, doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00659
8. Jochum, M.D., K.L. McWilliams, E.J. Borrego, M.V. Kolomiets, Niu, E.A. Pierson, and Y.K. Jo. 2019. Bioprospecting plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that mitigate drought stress in grasses. Frontiers in Microbiology. 10: 1-9. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02106.
9. Hooks, T. and Niu. Relative salt tolerance of four herbaceous perennials. Horticulturae 2019, 5, 36; doi:10.3390/horticulturae5020036.
10. Xiong, H., F. Zou, D. Yuan, X. Tan, J. Yuan, T. Liao, and Niu. 2019. Comparison of self- and cross-pollination in pollen tube growth, early ovule development and fruit set of Camellia grijsii. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 21:819-826. DOI: 10.17957/IJAB/15.0960.
11. Xiong, H., F. Zou, S. Guo, D. Yuan, and Niu. 2019. Self-sterility may be due to prezygotic late-acting self-incompatibility and early-acting inbreeding depression in Chinese chestnut. Journal of American Society for Horticultural Science 144(3): 172-181.
12. Sun, Y., Niu, and P. Osuna. 2019. Effects of substrate moisture content on growth and physiological response of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Agrociencia 53: 59-72.
13. Yan, Z., D. He, Niu, and H. Zhai. 2019. Evaluation of growth and quality of hydroponic lettuce at harvest as affected by the light intensity, photoperiod, and light quality at seedling stage. Scientia Horticulturae. 248: 138-144.
14. Dou, H., Niu, M. Gu, and J. Masabni. 2018. Responses of sweet basil to different DLIs in photosynthesis, morphology, yield, and nutritional quality. HortScience 53(4):496–503. 2018. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12785-17.
15. Niu, G., Y. Sun, and J. Masabni. 2018. Impact of water quality on plant performance of four leafy vegetables in a recirculating NFT system. Horticulturae 4, 6; doi:10.3390/horticulturae4010006.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Joseph G. Masabni

Associate Professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist

Research and Extension Center at Dallas, 13760 Coit Rd, Dallas, TX 75252

Email: jmasabni@ag.tamu.edu

Professional Preparation

Academic Appointments

Grants

1. 2019. Co-PI. Next-Generation Smart Surfaces and Coatings to Improve Food Safety and Water-Efficiency of U.S. Specialty Crops during Harvesting, Storage, Sorting, and Processing. USDA-SCRI. $1,000,000
2. Co-PI. Cultivar Development for Yield, Quality, and Stress Tolerance in Watermelon. Texas A&M Vegetable Seed Initiative. $40,000
3. Co-PI. Enhancing Production Efficiency and Profitability of Asian Vegetables in Texas. Texas A&M Vegetable Seed Initiative. $50,000.
4. 2018. Co-PI. Southern Regional Center for Food Safety Training, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Continuation, and Lead Regional Coordination Center. $20,000
5. 2018. Co-PI. To Provide Customized Training, Advice, Technical Support and Expertise on the Final Rule on Produce Safety. TDA. $50,000
6. 2017. Co-PI. To Provide Customized Training, Advice, Technical Support and Expertise on the Final Rule on Produce Safety. TDA. $191,432
7. 2017. Co-PI. Managing Soil and Plant Microbiomes for Enhancing Organic Vegetable Production Systems. $47,500
8. 2017. Co-PI. Strategic Vegetable Initiative proposal titled ‘Tomato Grafting: Development and Screening Rootstock Germplasm to Improve Disease Resistance, Yield, and Quality in Protected and Open Field Systems in Texas’. $67,500
9. 2017. Co-PI. Strategic Vegetable Initiative proposal titled ‘Tomato Grafting: Development and Screening Rootstock Germplasm to Improve Disease Resistance, Yield, and Quality in Protected and Open Field Systems in Texas’. $80,000
10. 2017. Co-PI. Developing Texas Pomegranate Industry through Cultivar Trials and Statewide Outreach. TDA Specialty Block Grant. $57,983
11. 2017. Co-PI. Watermelon Variety Trial. $5,600.
12. 2017. PI. Evaluation of various pesticides (Bayer CropScience). $8,000
13. Co-PI. Watermelon Variety Trial. $6,800
14. 2016. Co-PI. Developing Global-Ready Agriculturist through Experiential Learning Modules (ELMs): Solving Problems of Food Insecurity and Human Suffering in Haiti and Beyond. HEC. $299,930

Awards

1. 2017 Extension Communications Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science-Southern Region for the publication of ‘Easy Gardening for Texas’. 2016.
2. 2016 Team Award for Superior Service from AgriLife Extension Service for outstanding achievements on the Texas Strawberry Project.
3. 2014 Academic Award from the Texas Plant Protection Association.
4. 2014 Extension Communications Award: from the American Society for Horticultural Science-Southern Region, for the publication of ‘Earth-Kind Landscape Management. 2013. Gu, M., D. Woodson, B. Drees, S. George, J. Masabni, M. Nesbitt, K. Ong, T. Provin, B. Wherley, D. Welsh, G. Niu, J. Pitt, C. LaChance, C. York, R. White, J. Thomas, C. Fontanier, J. Smith, and R. Hejl.
5. 2011 Extension Communications Award: from the American Society for Horticultural Science-Southern Region, for the publication of ‘Organic Vegetable Production Guide. 2010. J. Masabni and F. Dainello.
6. 2010 Extension Communications Award: from the American Society for Horticultural Science-Southern Region, for the publication of ‘An IPM scouting guide for common pests of Solanaceous Crops in Kentucky’. Nov. 2008. T. Coolong, K. Seebold, R. Bessin, J. Strang, T. Jones, and J. Masabni

Publications

1. Chen, W., L. He, S. Tian, Masabni, R. Zhang, F. Zou, and D. Yuan. 2020. Combined Addition of Bovine Bone and Cow Manure: Rapid Composting of Chestnut Burrs and Production of a High-quality Chestnut Seedling Substrate. Agronomy. 10(288):1-18. doi:10.3390/agronomy10020288
2. Niu, G., T. Davis, and Masabni. 2019. A Review of Salinity Tolerance in Horticultural Crops. Journal of Arid Land Studies. 29-2:53-59
3. Xiong, H., Masabni, F. Zou, and D. Yuan. 2019. Castanea henryi roots serve as a host for Ganoderma lucidum. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 22:420-426
4. Singh, V., Masabni, P. Baumann, T. Isakeit, M. Matocha, T. Provin, R. Liu, K. Carson, and M. Bagavathianna. 2019. Activated Charcoal Application Reduces Herbicide Injury in Vegetable Crops. Crop Protection. 117:1-6
5. Niu, G., and Masabni. 2018. Plant Production in Controlled Environments. Horticulturae. 4(28):1-4
6. Dou, H., G. Niu, M. Gu, and Masabni. 2018. Responses of Sweet Basil to Different Daily Light Integrals in Photosynthesis, Morphology, Yield, and Nutritional Quality. HortScience. 53(4):496-503
7. Franco, J., S. King, Masabni, and A. Volder. 2018. Intercropped Watermelon for Weed Suppression in a Low-Input Organic System. HortTechnology. 28(2):172-181
8. Niu, G., Y. Sun, and Masabni. 2018. Impact of Low and Moderate Salinity Water on Plant Performance of Leafy Vegetables in a Recirculating NFT System. Horticulturae. 4,6. Doi:10.3990/horticulturae401006
9. Sun, Y., G. Niu, Masabni, and G. Ganjegunte. 2018. Relative salt tolerance of 22 pomegranate (Punica granatum) cultivars. HortScience 53(10):1513-1519
10. Dou, H., G. Niu, M. Gu, and Masabni. 2017. Effects of Light Quality on Growth and Phytonutrient Accumulation of Herbs under Controlled Environments. Horticulturae. 3(2), 36; doi:10.3390/horticulturae3020036
11. Wang, X., G. Niu, M. Gu, P. Baumann, and Masabni. 2017. Response of Vegetable Seedling Emergence to Mustard (Sinapis alba ‘IdaGold’ and Brassica juncea ‘Pacific Gold’) Seed Meal. HortScience. 52(3):371-376
12. Masabni, J., Y. Sun, G. Niu, and P. Del Valle. 2016. Shade effect on growth and productivity of tomato and chili pepper. HortTechnology. 26(3):344-350
13. Crosby, K., D. Leskovar, J. Jifon, and Masabni. 2015. ‘Pacal’ Orange Casaba: A Multi-disease Resistant, Specialty Melon Cultivar from Texas A&M AgriLife Research. HortScience. 50(11):1723-1725
14. Sun, Y., G. Niu, R. Wallace, Masabni, and M. Gu. 2015. Relative Salt Tolerance of Seven Strawberry Cultivars. Horticulturae. 1(1):27-43
15. Sun, Y., Masabni, and G. Niu. 2015. Simulated Seawater Flooding Affects Growth of Ten Vegetables. HortScience 50(5):694-698
16. Zucco*, M.A., S.A. Walters, S-K Chong, B.P. Klubek, G. Masabni. 2015. Effect of Soil Type and Vermicompost Applications on Tomato Growth. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. 4:135-141
17. Franco*, J.G., S.R. King, Masabni, and A. Volder. 2015. Plant Functional Diversity Improves Yields in a Low-Input Intercropping System. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 203:1-10

Click here for Dr. Randklev's curriculum vitae.

Chad Rethorst obtained a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Arizona State University, a Master's degree in Counseling and Sport Psychology from Boston University, and completed a T32 fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. His research focuses on the effects of physical activity on mental health and the development and optimization of health behavior interventions to improve the health of persons with chronic medical conditions.

Alexandra "Lexi" L. MacMillan Uribe's work investigates effective community-focused strategies that address health equity by helping mothers and their children establish healthy dietary patterns. She studied psychology at Penn State University before pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison investigating interventions targeting the mother-infant dyad within a primary-care group approach. During her postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University, MacMillan Uribe contributed to designing culturally relevant interventions that aim to improve dietary behaviors among minority adolescents that reside in urban, low-income communities. She is also a Registered Dietitian. MacMillan Uribe has expertise in maternal and infant nutrition, qualitative research, community based participatory research, and program evaluation. Her current projects focus on designing and evaluating a culturally relevant, mHealth toddler feeding intervention for low-income Latina mothers and understanding how acculturation impacts diet quality among immigrant youth.

Jacob Szeszulski’s primary research interest is in the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of school- and community-based physical activity and nutrition programs for youth. Specifically, he is interested in understanding policies, systems, and environments that affect youth physical activity and nutrition, identifying organizational and contextual factors that affect the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of school- and community-based programs, and using community-based participatory research approaches to reduce disparities in youth’s health behaviors, and subsequent health outcomes.

Priscilla Ayine obtained her Ph.D. in Nutrition Science from Auburn University, a Masters's degree in Food and Nutritional Science from Tuskegee University. Her research interest includes dietary and lifestyle interventions to promote healthy living and quality of life. Examining the social, cultural, and nutritional determinants of diet related health disparities in ethnic minority and low-income populations, she is also interested in planning, implementing, and evaluating food and environmental systems to increase access to healthy food and physical activity in low-income populations.