IAVS RESEARCH GROUP, NCSU

INVESTIGATORS AND CONSULTANTS (1984-1994)

Principal Investigator

• Mark R. McMurtry, Ph.D. – Horticultural Science, Integrated Bio-production Systems, Environmental Design, International Development (1984)

Co-Investigators

• Edward A. Estes, Ph.D. – Agricultural and Aquacultural Economics (1988)

Dr. Edward A. Estes holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, specializing in sustainable agriculture and an expert in Aquacultural Economics. 

He has dedicated his career to researching and promoting innovative solutions for sustainable food production. Dr. Estes has conducted extensive research on aquaponics and hydroponics systems, focusing on optimizing nutrient cycling, water management, and plant growth in controlled environments.

• Blanche C. Haning, Ph.D. – Integrated Pest Management and Plant Pathology (1986)

Blanche C. Haning, Ph.D., is an expert in Integrated Pest Management and Plant Pathology.

• Ronald G. Hodson, Ph.D. – Aquatic Ecosystems, Fisheries Management & Genetics (1986)

Ronald G. Hodson holds a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology and has dedicated his career to studying and managing aquatic ecosystems. 

With a specialization in fisheries management and genetics, Hodson has conducted extensive research on the interactions between aquatic organisms, their environment, and the genetic factors influencing their growth and survival.

• Paul V. Nelson, Ph.D., FASHS – Botanical Mineral Nutrition & Greenhouse Management (1984)

Paul V. Nelson is a renowned authority in the field of Botanical Mineral Nutrition and Greenhouse Management. 

With a deep understanding of plant physiology, nutrient assimilation, and greenhouse technologies, Nelson has dedicated his career to researching and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Paul has been honored as a Fellow by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS) for his contributions to the field of horticulture and sustainable agriculture. 

Paul Nelson was a Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University and a key figure in the development and promotion of the Integrated Aqua-Vegetable System (iAVs). 

He was a prolific author and published numerous (100’s) articles and papers on topics related to horticulture, botanical nutrition, greenhouse management, and sustainable agriculture. 

Not only that, but he was also a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops and was known for his ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in an accessible way.

Nelson is also well-known in the field of horticulture for his definitive text “Greenhouse Operation and Management”, which is currently in its 7th edition. 

This text has been employed for over four decades in universities throughout the US and the world and is considered a valuable resource for students and professionals in the field of horticulture.

• Robert P. Patterson, Ph.D., FCSSA – Agronomy, Soil Fertility, & Plant Physiology (1984)

Robert P. Patterson holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy and has dedicated his career to researching and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. 

With a specialization in soil fertility and plant physiology, Patterson has conducted extensive research on the interactions between plants, soil, and nutrients.

• Douglas C. Sanders, Ph.D., FASHS – Horticultural Science and Plant Physiology (1986)

Douglas C. Sanders (deceased) was a distinguished scientist and expert in the field of olericulture and was a renowned authority in the field of plant physiology. He holds the title of Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science (FASHS).

Sanders’ work has helped shape the understanding and practices of horticulture, benefiting both the scientific community and the broader horticultural industry. 

By understanding the physiological responses of plants to different environmental conditions, Sanders has contributed to the development of plant management strategies that maximize plant growth and yield.

Principal Consultants

• J. Lawrence Apple, Ph.D. – International Development, Plant Pathology (1985)

Lawrence Apple, Ph.D., is an expert in International Development and Plant Pathology and has dedicated his career to researching and implementing sustainable agricultural practices in the context of international development. 

With a specialization in international development, Apple has conducted extensive research on the intersection of agriculture, food security, and sustainable development.

• Marc A. Buchanan, Ph.D. – Agricultural Ecology and Soil Science (1985)

Marc A. Buchanan, Ph.D., is an expert in Agricultural Ecology and Soil Science with a specialization in agricultural ecology, Buchanan has conducted extensive research on the interactions between agriculture, ecosystems, and soil health.

• Stanley W. Buol, Ph.D. – Geomorphology, Mineralogy and Soil Genesis (1985)

Stanley W. Buol, Ph.D., is an expert in Geomorphology, Mineralogy, and Soil Genesis and has dedicated his career to researching and understanding the formation and properties of soils. Buol has conducted extensive research on the processes that shape soils and the factors influencing their composition and fertility.

• JoAnn Burkholder, Ph.D., FAAAS – Phycology and Aquatic Ecology (1988)

J BurkholderPh.D., FAAAS, is an expert in Aquatic Ecology with a specialization in Phycology, the study of algae. 

Throughout her career, she has focused on the ecological dynamics of aquatic systems, particularly the interactions between algae and their environment. is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her contributions to the field of aquatic ecosystems  and sustainable agriculture.

• James E. Easley, Ph.D. – Aquacultural Economics and Business (1987)
• Donald Huisingh, Ph.D. – Ecology and Environmental Resource Recovery (1984)

Donald Huisingh, Ph.D., is a globally recognized distinguished expert in the field of Ecology and Environmental Resource Recovery.

• Merle H. Jensen, Ph.D. – Agricultural Program Development (UAZ ERL) (1985)

Merle Jensen is a horticulturist who is instrumental in the development of hydroponic greenhouse culture. 

He was an emeritus professor at the University of Arizona and is known for his work on the use of sand as a substrate for growing plants. Jensen’s research showed that sand was an effective substrate for growing plants and that it had several advantages over other substrates.

Merle Jensen was also involved in the development of the Land Pavilion at Epcot Center, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The Land Pavilion was a showcase for sustainable agriculture and featured several innovative agricultural systems, including hydroponics and aquaculture. 

He was instrumental in the development of the fluidized-bed sand filters that were used to manage water quality in the large aquariums at the Center. 

These filters were a key component of the system and helped to maintain water quality and provide nutrients for plants.

• Thomas Losordo, Ph.D. – Recirculatory Aquaculture (1987)

Thomas Losordo, Ph.D., is a expert in the field of Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and has made substantial contributions to the development and advancement of sustainable aquaculture practices.

• L. George Wilson, Ph.D., FASHS – Horticultural Science and Extension (1988)

George Wilson, Ph.D., is a distinguished expert in the field of Horticultural Science’s role in international development. Dr. Wilson holds the title of Fellow of the Crop Science Society of America (FCSSA).

Ad Hoc Consultants (partial)

• Peter Cooke, Ph.D. – Intensive Aquaculture Systems (Disney World, EPCOT) (1986)
• Barry A. Costa-Pierce, Ph.D., FAAAS – International Aquaculture Development (ICLARM) (1988)

BA Costa-Pierce is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to the field of integrated aquaculture and sustainable agriculture.

• Robert Jack Downs, Ph.D. – Controlled Environment Agricultural Research (1986)
• Kevin Fittsimmons, Ph.D. – Intensive and Recirculatory Aquaculture (ERL) (1986)
• H. Douglas Gross, Ph.D. – Crop Science and International Agric. Development (1987)
• Larry D. King, Ph.D. – Sustainable (Low-input) Agricultural Systems (1986)
• John Lavine, D.V.M – Veterinary Medicine, Cichlidae spp. Specialist (1987)
• Michael Linker, Ph.D. – Entomology and Integrated Pest Management (1987)
• Steve Malvestuto, Ph.D. – Fisheries Assessment and Development (1988)
• George A. Marlowe, Ph.D. – Horticulture Research and Development (AVRDC) (1987)
• Robert H. Miller, Ph.D. – Soil Nutrition and Microbial Ecology (1987)
• Richard A. Neal, Ph.D. – International Aquaculture Development (USAID) (1986)
• Edward Noga, D.V.M – Veterinary Medicine, Aquatic vertebrates (1988)
• Glenn W. Patterson, Ph.D. – International Agro-Industries Development (ATI) (1988)
• Pedro A. Sanchez, Ph.D., FAAAS – Tropical Soils Management (1988)

PA Sanchez is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to the field of soil science and sustainable agriculture in international development.

• John C. Sager, Ph.D., FASABE – Controlled Environmental Life Support Systems (NASA) (1987)
• Ronald Sneed, Ph.D., FASABE – Agricultural Engineering, Irrigation Systems (1987)

R Sneed is a researcher who has been honored as a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers for his contributions to the field of controlled environmental agriculture. Also known as the inventor (‘father’) of the Phytron which are research facilities used to study the influence/effect of multiple environment factors influencing gene expression by plant species and cultivars.

• Kenneth Sorrenson, Ph.D. – Entomology and Greenhouse Pest Management (1987)
• Carolyn A. Williams, Ph.D. – Vegetable Horticulture and Physiology (1988)

Other Technical Resources (partial)

• Reed Altman, M.S. – Aquaculture Development (US Peace Corps) (1988)

Reed Altman is an aquaculture specialist who has dedicated his career to promoting sustainable aquaculture practices around the world. He holds a Master of Science degree in Aquaculture Development from the US Peace Corps and has worked with various organizations to develop aquaculture projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

• Ray Campbell, Ph.D. – Plant Nutrition and Tissue Analysis (NCDA) (1985)
• Dale E. Ettel, Ph.D. – Fish Feed Formulation (Purina Mills, Inc.) (1987)
• Vincent M. Foote, FIDSA – Integrated Systems Design (1984)
• Nancy Mingus, M.S. – Plant Tissue Analysis (1987)
• Boone M. Mora, D.V.M. – Commercial IAVS Demonstration project (1990)
• Brandy Noon, M.A. – Presentation and Graphics Design (1986)
• Stephen F. Pekkala, AIA – Architecture and Development Programming (1985)
• Martin L. Price, Ph.D. – Development Assistance and Networking (ECHO) (1988)
• Ray Tucker, Ph.D. – Soil Fertility and Analysis (NCDA) (1985)