By Faith Peppers
University of
Georgia
Brown, a professor of entomology and UGA Cooperative Extension program coordinator, will serve in the position being vacated by David C. Bridges, who was recently named president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
A national search will be conducted for a new assistant dean for Tifton.
"Dr. Brown brings a wealth of experience to the position, having spent nearly 16 years working on the Tifton campus," Angle said. "There are many new programs just getting under way on the campus, and I look forward to working with Dr. Brown to move each of these forward."
Brown played a key role on a team of scientists that developed practical programs and management strategies for tomato spotted wilt virus, a deadly plant disease that attacks tobacco, tomatoes, peppers, peanuts and other Georgia crops.
He developed the UGA Spotted Wilt Risk Index, a planning tool that helps growers assess and lower their crop's risk for the disease. Economic analysis shows that Georgia farmers who use the risk index can see a net return of as much as $280 per acre.
Brown is also a leading expert in the Southeast for insect control in stored grains, peanuts and cottonseed. He oversees the South's only demonstration grain treatment and storage facility, which provides hands-on training for UGA Extension county agents and growers.
The UGA Tifton campus is home to the Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton Conference Center, CAES academic programs and the Rural Development Center.
Brown will begin in his new role in mid-June. The search for a permanent assistant dean will begin following a review of the structural relationship between the CAES operations in Tifton, Griffin and Athens.
"This review is a part of an ongoing effort to better align the administration of our college to meet the needs of our students, our researchers and the public we serve," Angle said. "Our aim is to develop a structure that will help us run more efficiently and be more effective in meeting our mission."
