UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- David Sylvia, professor of soil microbiology at the University of Florida, has been appointed head of the crop and soil sciences department in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, effective June 21.

"Dr. Sylvia has demonstrated leadership and professionalism in his scholarship," says Robert Steele, dean of the college. "His work on mycorrhizae is recognized internationally, and he is an award-winning educator who has contributed strongly to the development of Web-based distance education. We are extremely gratified that someone of his stature will be joining us at the university."

Sylvia has been professor in the University of Florida's soil and water science department since 1993. He served as administrative intern for academic programs in the university's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from 1996 through 1997, and was a visiting research fellow at the Biological Laboratory of the University of Kent at Canterbury, United Kingdom, in 1993. He was associate professor at the University of Florida from 1989 to 1993, assistant professor at the university from 1984 to 1989, and research associate there from 1981 to 1984.

Sylvia's research examines the microbial ecology of the rhizosphere -- particularly mycorrhizal fungi -- with the goal of incorporating mycorrhizal technology into sustainable agriculture practice. He has edited three books, contributed chapters for 16 others, authored 57 refereed papers and abstracts and delivered invited lectures at numerous state, national and international research symposia.

He has been elected fellow of the Soil Science Society of America. He was honored as Graduate Teacher/Advisor of the Year in the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and was a 1997 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar. Sylvia received the University of Florida Outstanding Faculty Achievement and Performance Award in 1990, and was a National Academy of Science Exchange Scholar to Czechoslovakia in 1988.

Sylvia received his bachelor's degree in forestry from the University of Massachusetts in 1975 and a master's degree in plant pathology from the same institution in 1977. He earned his doctorate in plant pathology from Cornell University in 1981. He is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, the American Society of Microbiology, the International Society of Root Research, the Soil Ecology Society and the Soil Science Society of America.

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EDITORS: For more information, contact Gary Abdullah at 814-863-2708.

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-865-1068 fax #193