Nick Comerford

Center Director, Professor

Soil and Water Sciences

Education

• Ph.D., State University of New York and Syracuse University, 1980
  Major: Silviculture and Forest Influences
• M.S. University of Minnesota, 1976
  Major: Forestry
• B.S., University of Illinois, 1974
  Major: Forestry

Professional Experience

• Professor, University of Florida, Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, 1991 to 2008
• Associate Professor, Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, 1985 to 1991
• Assistant Professor, Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, 1980 to 1985
• Courtesy Faculty Member, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, 1980 to present
• Graduate Coordinator, SWSD, University of Florida; 2000 to present
• Administrative Intern and Lead21 Participant, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2005
• Steering Committee Member, Tropical Research and Development Program, University of Florida, 2005 to present
• Senior Fulbright Fellow, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz and Comissão Executiva do
• Plano da Lavoura Cacaueira (CEPLAC), Bahia BRASIL, February 2004 to July 2004.
• Professor Visitante, Departamento do Química e Solo, Universidade Federal da Bahia, BRASIL, March 2000 to July 2000
• Executive Director, Global Research on the Environment and Agriculture Nexus for the 21st Century (GREAN), 1998 to 2001
• Professor Visitante, Departamento do Solos, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, BRASIL, August 1996 to May, 1997
• Senior Research Fellow, Forestry Research Institute, New Zealand, 1986 to 1987
• Instructor, Department of Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, 1980
• Forest Soil Specialist I, Department of Natural Resources, Washington, 1976-1977

Honors, Service, and Organizations

• International Fellow, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 2006
• Soil Science Society of America: Member: since 1979; Chairman, Forest, Range and Wildland
• Soils Division, 1996; Fellow, 2001; SSSA Board Representative for S-7, 2003 to 2006
• Sociedade Brasileira de Ciência do Solo: Member: 1997 to present
• Fulbright Association: Member 2004 to present
• Editorial Board Member: Forest Ecology and Management, 2002 to present
• Editorial Board Member: Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo; 2003 to present
• Editorial Board Member: Magistra; 2005 to present
• Senior Fulbright Fellow: February-July 2004
• Invited Professor Visitante, Departamento do Química e Solos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, March 2000 to July 2000.
• Environmental Protection Agency, Panel member for START Fellowships, 1998-2000
• Invited Professor Visitante, Departamento do Solos, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, BRASIL, 1996-1997.
• Panel Review Member, Soil and Soil Biology, USDA Competitive Grants, 1995
• Regional Ozone Vegetation Effects Project, TVA, Advisor to project, 1992-1994
• Southern Global Change Program Research Task Group, USDA-Forest Service, SE Forest Experiment Station, member, 1991-1994
• International Energy Agency, USA representative to the working group on Environmental
• Effects of Forest Harvesting, 1991-1992
• Society of American Foresters: Member, 1974 to 1991; Chairperson, Suwannee Chapter, Florida
• State; Secretary, Soils Working Group 1984 to 1986; Member, Executive Committee
• Florida State Chapter; Chairperson, National Soil Working Group 1987 to 1990;
• Editorial Board Member, Forest Science 1985-1988.
• Senior Research Fellow, New Zealand National Research Advisory Council, July 1986 to July 1987, Rotorua, New Zealand
• Southern Forest Soils Council: Steering Committee 1982 to 1986; Chairman 1984 to 1986

Research Focus

• Modeling soil nutrient bioavailability with a focus on forest environments
• Soil/root interactions
• Inorganic and organic soil P chemistry as related to bioavailability
• Soil management in a forestry context; tropical soils; forested wetlands

Departmental Research Areas

• Management of Nutrients, Pesticides, and Wastes
• Soil Landscape Analysis
• Soil Quality/Ecological Indicators

Courses Taught

• SOS 6161: Bioavailability of Soil Nutrients
• SOS 6xxx: Soil Ecosystem Services

Languages

• Portuguese

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