Academics

White joins Penn State's Department of Plant Science

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Charles White, assistant professor and extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management, recently joined the Department of Plant Science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"Dr. White has an outstanding track record and is a wonderful addition to our department," said Erin Connolly, professor and head of the department. "We are confident he will advance our teaching, research and extension programs in several key areas."

White received a bachelor's degree in geography from Dartmouth College, a master's degree in soil science from the University of Maryland, and a doctorate in soil science and biogeochemistry from Penn State.

His research interests involve soil and crop management practices that are high yielding, use nutrients efficiently, and minimize losses to the environment. Another focus of his work will be to enable adaptive crop and soil management by developing decision-support tools and new soil test interpretations.

White also will lead extension programs in nutrient management education and soil fertility. In addition, he will teach courses on these topics and supervise graduate research.

Before joining the plant science faculty, White worked as a sustainable agriculture extension associate and state coordinator for the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research Education program for Penn State Extension. He also worked as a research associate in the Department of Plant Science assessing agricultural-adaptation strategies to climate variability.

The mission of the Department of Plant Science is to enhance understanding and management of agronomic and horticultural crops and managed landscapes that are the foundation for managed ecosystems, food and fiber production, landscapes and environmental quality to enhance human environments.

Faculty educate students regarding stewardship of these systems, and together they discover answers to complex problems that threaten sustainable land use and food production through science-based research, and communicate research findings through scholarly publications and relevant outreach programs to enhance the quality of life for residents of Pennsylvania and the world.

Charles White, assistant professor and extension specialist in soil fertility and nutrient management. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated April 10, 2018

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