Donn Shilling

I received my BS and MS degrees from Virginia Tech in Agronomy and Plant Physiology, respectively, and my Ph.D. in Crop Science from North Carolina State University in 1983. I initially worked as a Senior Research Biologist for Monsanto responsible for the development of methods used to evaluate natural products as herbicides. In 1985 I was promoted to managing herbicide evaluation and development. I accepted the position of assistant professor at the University of Florida in 1987 and was promoted to full professor in 1994 with research and teaching responsibility. My research involved studying fundamental and applied aspects of ecophysiological and physiochemcial factors affecting herbicides and weedy plant species. I also focused on the management of invasive and perennial plants and land restoration. I had an active undergraduate and graduate teaching program. I have been a member of, and chair of, numerous university, society and community committees. I have made over 200 presentations, been a member of 50 graduate committees and been major professor for 13 MS and PhD students and taught 5 weed science courses. I have been PI or Co-PI for grants and gift totaling over $3 million and published 160 abstracts and proceedings, 3 book chapters, 105 referred articles and 100 technical reports. I received the Graduate Teacher and Advisor of the Year Award in 1994, the Florida Outstanding Weed Scientist for 1997, the Southern Weed Science Society Distinguished Service Award in 2012, was the University of Florida’s ESCOP/ACOP leadership development representative from 1994-1995, was appointed the first WSSA NIFA Fellow in 2014 and was named a WSSA Fellow in 2015. As a consultant, I have worked with several organizations on various issues related to weed management and ecosystem restoration.

My academic administrative experience started with my roles as the Agronomy Department Graduate and Curriculum Coordinator and Chairman of the University of Florida Task Force on Invasive Plants. My interest in administration lead to being named University of Florida’s representative in several leadership development programs. From 1997-2003, I was the Director for the University of Florida’s West Florida and Mid-Florida Research and Education Centers. The administrative head of Research and Education Centers (REC) in the University of Florida system provides leadership for the research, teaching and extension programs relevant to the state. In 2000, I chaired the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Satellite Program Committee. I co-chaired the UF Research and Education Center Task Force. In January 2004, I became the Department Head of Crop and Soil Science at the University of Georgia. In this capacity, I am responsible for managing and providing leadership for state-wide research, teaching and extension programs. In addition, I serve as the liaison for external stakeholder groups and university faculty, students and administrators interested in departmental programs. The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences is a multi-functional, inter-disciplinary, multi-locational department committed to supporting outstanding research, teaching, and extension programs at the Athens, Griffin and Tifton campuses. In addition to serving as Department Head I also manage a 600 acre farm, greenhouse complex, the Georgia Weather Network and Variety Testing Program.

I have remained active in research, teaching, outreach, professional societies, public policy and regulation as an administrator. I have participated and/or managed several special projects to deal with such issues as multi-locational education, bio-energy and alternative crops, invasive species, re-organization of the College of Agriculture and the State-Wide Research and Education System. I am a BOD member for the Georgia Plant Food and Education Society, presently chair the Weed Science Society of America’s Science Policy Committee and service as the WSSA NIFA Fellow. I am presently a professor in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department at UGA involved in Weed Science research, teaching and extension.