Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION: University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa:

1971 : BSc(Agric), majoring in Plant Pathology
1975 : MSc(Agric) cum laude
1981 : PhD

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

1. 1974-1979. Professional Officer (1974-76) and Senior Professional Officer (1976-79) at the Citrus & Subtropical Fruit Research Institute, Nelspruit, South Africa
2. 1979-1999. Lecturer (1979-84), Senior Lecturer (1984-90), Associate Professor (1991-98), Professor (1998-99) in the Department of Microbiology & Plant Pathology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Sabbaticals:
July 1986-June 1987 University of Florida Citrus Research & Education Center, Lake Alfred
Nov 1990-Jan 1991 Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
June-Aug 1993 Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias, Moncada, Spain
July 1994-Feb 1995 Texas A & M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, Weslaco

3. July 1999-present , Deputy Center Director, Texas A & M University-Kingsville Citrus Center and the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station, Weslaco, USA.
Tenured 2002. Associate professor (1999-2003), professor (since 2003).
Interim Chair, Department of Agronomy & Resource Sciences (July 2004-Jan 2005).
Interim Center Director (Jan 2005- Jan 2006)

COURSES TAUGHT

University of Natal : Virology 320 (1979-1999)
Plant Pathology 332 (1980-99)
Plant Pathology 428 (1980-99)
Microbiology 210 (1979-99)
TAMUK : PLSS 6390 (Citrus & Subtropical Fruits) - guest lecture (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006)
Precision Citrus Orchard Management Continuing Education course
co-ordinator & 1 class (2001 & 2003)
PLSS 3344 (Fruits & Vegetable Production) - guest lecture (2003, 2005)
PLSS (Pests and Diseases) – guest lecture (2006)
TAMU: PLPA 620 (Plant Virology) - guest lecture (2002)
PLPA 623 (Disease of field crops) – field tour (2004)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Characterization of graft and arthropod-borne pathogens of citrus using biological and molecular techiques; development of strategies to control these diseases via pathogen-free certification programs, vector control and resistance.

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

American Phytopathological Society (APS)
Member (1999-2003), Vice-Chairman (2000-01) & Chairman (2001-02), Tropical Diseases
Committee
International Organization of Citrus Virologists (IOCV)
Chairman (2004- ) & Member of Board of Directors (2001-)
International Society for Citriculture
Rio Grande Valley Horticulture Society
Fruit Section Director (2002)
Southern African Society for Plant Pathology (until 2001)
Secretary (1984-87)
South African Society for Microbiology (until 1999)
Chairman, Regional Branch (1995-97)