Our People
Agenbroad, Ariel
Area Extension Educator, Community Food Systems and Small Farms
Ariel leads and facilitates collaborative, multidisciplinary and multifaceted applied research and education in community food systems and small farms for a six-county area which includes Payette, Gem, Canyon, Ada, Owyhee and Elmore.
Allen, Richard
Professor, Water Resources Research Program
Rick Allen specializes in evapotranspiration, irrigation water requirements and hydrologic systems. His research focuses on developing physics-based approaches and tools to quantify and solve water-related problems, including water consumption over large areas using satellite-based energy balance. Allen maintains a close partnership with Idaho Department of Water Resources on developing and applying the METRIC satellite-based evapotranspiration model.
Amende, Jackie
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Jackie Amende, an Extension educator, specializes in family and consumer sciences for Canyon County. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist focusing on nutrition and health programming.
Amy, Rhonda
Office Manager
Rhonda maintains the office and the UI Extension, Benewah County website.
Arcibal, Suzette
Responsibilities: Fusarium Head Blight ratings, isolation and culturing pathogens and associated laboratory work, preparation of disease inoculum, disease ratings, sample collection and statistical analyses.
Ayers, Wayne
Barlow, Mashelle
4-H Program Coordinator
Mashelle’s mission is to motivate, involve and encourage 4-H youth and adults so they can build teamwork, self-confidence and succeed in ventures within the 4-H program. Mashelle graduated from cosmetology school and worked in the field for numerous years before earning an associate’s degree from the College of Southern Idaho, followed by a bachelor’s in human resource development from Idaho State University.
Becker, Hydee
Instructor & Director, Coordinated Program in Dietetics
Becker’s primary responsibilities are to serve as the director of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics and to teach in the program. Responsibilities include overseeing student recruitment and advising, leading in development efforts, and assuring that the program meets future ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) accreditation requirements.
Bell, Susan
Extension Educator, Horticulture and Ada County Chair
Susan is a leader in consumer and commercial horticultural education and provides practical educational programming for Ada County (Boise) and surrounding counties. Susan collaborates with Extension faculty in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon, along with state and county agencies, city departments, and private businesses and civic groups to deliver programming. She directs a variety of Idaho Master Gardener programs and trains and supervises 100 volunteers annually.
Bohach, Carolyn Hovde
University Distinguished Professor
Hovde Bohach’s area of expertise is infectious disease with emphasis on the foodborne pathogen E. coli O157:H7. Primary interests are in the relationship of this human pathogen with healthy cattle.
Bowen, Hadley
Bregante, Erryn
Brooks, Randall
Professor, Extension Forestry Specialist
Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences
Brumbaugh, Gordon
Director and Veterinary Scientist
Brumbaugh’s teaching experience includes large animal internal medicine, respiratory physiology, veterinary pharmacology and veterinary clinical pharmacology. He advocates for proper application of evidence-based medicine because it provides a means to incorporate critical, analytical evaluation of results of valid research into clinical decisions.
Buck, Julie
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Julie's programming areas include health, nutrition, food safety, 4-H youth development and Bingham county chair. Julie is a registered dietitian nutritionist and worked as a nutrition faculty member at Brigham Young University Idaho prior to her work with University of Idaho.
Burt, Marcia
Bywater, Jeni
4-H Program Coordinator
Jeni grew up on a farm in Minidoka County. She was very active in 4-H, taking on all sorts of projects, with her favorite being sheep. After many years of picking rock and thinning sugarbeets, she attended Boise State University’s Technical School in Business and Office Education. Jeni was ecstatic to be hired as Minidoka County’s 4-H program coordinator in 1993 and continues to “Make the Best Better."
Carleton, Kara
Idaho Master Gardener Program Coordinator
Kara Carleton joined the Idaho Master Gardener Program in 2013. As program coordinator, she empowers a team of 60+ volunteers to provide educational outreach and research-based solutions that address a variety of home horticultural, lawn and garden challenges facing local citizens. Carleton fosters a culture that supports the “Helping People Grow” mission. She has diverse experience in the fields of nonprofit administration, green design, horticulture and gardening.
Carrillo, Martha
Responsibilities: Weed management, plant sampling, plant assessments, planting, harvest operations, post harvest processing, seed preparation.
Church, James
Extension Educator, Idaho County
Jim Church provides educational programs for commercial livestock producers in UI Extension’s northern district. Specialties include beef cattle production, marketing and management. Jim also manages the 4-H animal science program in Idaho County.
Coburn, Sally
Codr, Shana
4-H Event Coordinator/Office Manager
Shana Codr is responsible for the management and logistical coordination of all 4-H statewide and national events. She also provides for the financial management and accountability of the revenue and gift accounts as well as the management and facilitation of all 4-H college scholarships.
Connors, James
Department Chair and Professor
Jim Connors serves as the chair of the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education (AEE) in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Connors formerly served as an AEE assistant professor from 1996-2000. In 2000, he became a member of the faculty in the Department of Human & Community Resource Development at Ohio State University before returning to Idaho.
Cook, Nadine
4-H Program Assistant
Coordinating and facilitating the 4-H Youth Development program in Elmore County. Helping our youth and leaders, achieve greatness through education, service and activities in the community.
Cummins, Heather
Dalton, Joseph
Professor
Dalton’s research studies are focused on increasing the efficiency of artificial insemination in dairy cattle, including heat detection accuracy, synchronization programs and AI technician proficiency. A current project is focused on heat detection accuracy, with 15 Idaho dairies as collaborators.
Dandurand, Louise-Marie
Research Associate Professor
- Nematology: Globodera pallida biology, population genetics and control
David, Kirk
David, Madeline
de Haro Martí, Mario
Extension Educator, Dairy and Livestock
Mario de Haro-Martí was born and raised in Argentina, in the Patagonia region. Mario has been an educator for University of Idaho Extension, Gooding County, since 2007, working with dairy and livestock producers reduce the environmental impact of their operations and trains dairy workers to increase their learning opportunities and productivity. He helps with community environmental topics, especially in agricultural communities around the Magic Valley. His areas of expertise include agricultural waste and nutrient management, composting, vermicomposting and air quality.
DeWitt, Amy
Dodds, Bebe
Dolecheck, Suzann
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Suzann provides leadership and supervision for University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development in Twin Falls County. She collaborates with regional university faculty and community partners to design, implement and evaluate multi-county programming that promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Doumit, Stacey
Senior Instructor
Doumit’s equine course provides an understanding of science and production as it relates to the care and management of the horse, including hands-on experience for students in equine management practices.
Duellman, Kasia
Assistant Professor, Extension Seed Potato Specialist
Duellman’s research focuses on all aspects of seed potato production, with the overall goal of improving quality. Specific emphasis is on pathogens important to seed potato production and seed health and to seed-related aspects of commercial potato production. Her extension program focuses on providing relevant, timely, science-based, non-biased information to growers and the industry.
Ekins, Jim
Area Water Educator
Jim has a natural resource degree from Western Carolina University and a master's in natural resources planning from University of Oregon. He worked in three national parks, on a research base in Antarctica and in wetland restoration for watershed councils in Oregon and Idaho. He's an avid canoeist, skier and runner.
Ellison, Melinda
Assistant Professor, Range Livestock Research
Ellison is located at the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center and her research focuses primarily on the effects of grazing livestock on wildlife and range.
England, James
Professor
England teaches at the University of Idaho Caine Veterinary and Teaching Center (CVTC), consists of beef cattle and small ruminate production medicine and management in rural Idaho. He also serves as the veterinarian for the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center.
Ensafi, Pooria
Doctoral Student
Responsibilities: Collection of and characterizing nematodes in Southern and Eastern Idaho.
Erickson, Luke
Personal Finance Specialist and Associate Professor
My interests include personal finance, with an emphasis on youth education. Areas of expertise include credit building, credit scores, investing for retirement, withdrawal strategies, financial goal setting and emergency preparedness. I also have interests in instructional design strategies and instruction through serious games.
Ewers, Timothy G.
Extension 4-H Youth Development Specialist
Science, technology and aerospace.
Falk, Jeremy
Associate Professor
Jeremy Falk completed his Ph.D. at Ohio State University, where he taught the FFA/SAE course and assisted with the teaching methods course. He taught secondary agriculture classes for four years at Federal Hocking High School in southeastern Ohio. Falk has served as a superintendent for the sheep barn at the Ohio State Fair and he enjoys raising club lambs with his family.
Findlay, John Reed
Extension Educator, Crops and Horticulture
Reed Findlay graduated from Brigham Young University with a master’s degree in agronomy in 1993. He began his career as an agricultural Extension educator with Montana State University working out of Rosebud and Treasure counties. He currently serves with the University of Idaho as a crops and horticulture Extension educator and county chair in Bannock and Bingham counties.
Finkelnburg, Douglas
Area Extension Educator, Cropping Systems
Finkelnburg supports dryland cropping systems extension and outreach activities throughout northern Idaho. He supports collaborative approaches to deliver unbiased university driven research to agricultural producers and agricultural industry partners to solve ongoing production challenges.
Foist, Laura
Extension Educator, Family & Consumer Sciences and Eat Smart Idaho
Laura has a background in food and nutrition. She specializes in helping people learn how to eat healthy and safe. She also administers the Eat Smart Idaho program in the Eastern Idaho District. Eat Smart Idaho helps low income families learn techniques for buying, preparing and eating healthy foods on a limited budget.
Fornshell, Gary
Extension Educator, Aquaculture
Gary has formed close ties with the aquaculture industry and others involved with aquaculture to be able to develop and implement an aquaculture program. The program addresses water quality and quantity, feeds and nutrition, seafood education and aquatic animal health. He works closely with the outside agencies, UI Extension and research faculty and the aquaculture industry, which is concentrated in Twin Falls, Jerome and Gooding counties. The educational programs he teaches to youth take place at Natural Resources Camp, and are related to aquaculture to include water quality, aquatic ecology and fish biology.
Fu, Daolin
Assistant Professor
Fu’s teaching experience includes plant genetics, crop breeding and topical lectures in plant molecular biology. Since 2004, Fu has been working in wheat molecular genetics involving germplasm innovation, genetic transformation, map-based gene cloning, fungal disease resistance and male sterility.
Funkhouser, Connie
4-H Program Assistant
Funkhouser grew up in Camas County. She is a proud Camas County Musher and attends every school home game unless it conflicts with grandchildren events. She has been with UI Extension, Camas County since March 1985. She loves working with youth and volunteer leaders and watching them grow and learn in the 4-H program.
Gamett, Brad
Extension Educator, Agriculture & Community Development
Brad has extensive experience in vegetation management before joining the University of Idaho Extension in 2017. He served as a weed control superintendent from 2003-2017 for Butte County.
Gardiner, Kali
Eat Smart Idaho Program Coordinator
Kali Gardiner, RDN, LD is the Northern District Eat Smart Idaho Program Coordinator. She oversees day to day operations, including monitoring program delivery and data collection compliance, supervision and training of Eat Smart Idaho staff and assisting to build and enrich partnerships with agencies. Kali received her B.S. in Food & Nutrition: Dietetics from the University of Idaho, and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She has been with the University of Idaho since 1997. Area counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone
Gerber, Linda
Outreach to Military Kids Coordinator
Military Kids and Speak Out for Military Kids.
Ghimire, Nav
Associate Director of UI Extension
Nav’s experience includes impact evaluation, program design, implementation and adult education. His focus is building evaluation capacity of Extension educators and increase their ability to document program impacts that meet the needs of local, state and federal stakeholders.
Gill, Joan
4-H Coordinator
Joan coordinates the 4-H Youth Development program. You can find her teaching at local educational clinics, writing 4-H newsletters, supporting 4-H leaders and directing youth who are turning ideas into action by making commitments to join the movement toward a meaningful change in Payette County.
Gillespie, Donna
Regional Youth Development Educator
Gillespie provides statewide leadership in 4-H citizenship and civic education, personal development and leadership. Including programs: Idaho’s 4-H State Teen Association Convention, 4-H Know Your Government and Idaho 4-H Ambassador. She partners with 4-H professionals in youth development programming throughout central Idaho.
Glaze, Benton
Beef Extension Specialist and Associate Professor
Glaze coordinates beef extension programming throughout the state and serving as a resource for stakeholders like beef producers, allied industries, veterinarians, extension educators and the general public. His extension program focuses on breeding and genetics, beef quality assurance (BQA), general management and reproduction.
Guggenheim, Rich
Extension Educator - Horticulture
Rich is a horticulture Extension educator in Canyon County. He earned his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University Idaho in horticulture and master's degree in human resource studies from Colorado State University. Rich was a horticulture and 4-H Extension agent in Colorado from 2012-2016 prior to coming to Idaho.
Hall, John
Superintendent, Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center
Hall serves as the superintendent of the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center, which functions as the University of Idaho’s primary cow/calf and forage research center. His program conducts applied research to enhance food production and sustainability of beef production operations.
Hardy, Ronald
Director, Aquaculture Research Institute and Professor
Hardy is an expert in animal nutrition, specifically fish nutrition and serves as the Director of the Aquaculture Research Institute. He oversees the activities of 40 scientists and staff, with most supported by research grants, for which he is responsible.
Harwood, Lindy
Administrative Assistant II
Lindy Harwood provides assistance to the Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development program areas. “During my tenure, I’ve come to realize what a valuable community resource our extension office truly is, and I’m honored to be a part of that team.”
Heckman, Susie
4-H Coordinator
Susie Heckman provides the organizational framework for the UI Extension, 4-H Youth Development program in Idaho County by coordinating local 4-H activities, organizing and conducting leader training classes, working with adult volunteer leaders and youth members and providing educational program resources.
Heimgartner, Marvin
Senior Instructor
Heimgartner teaches courses in agricultural mechanics and skills such as beginning welding, shop practices and advanced welding. Courses taught in agricultural mechanics contain a significant amount of theoretical and technical knowledge that successful students will master, as well as the tactile or motor skill that must be learned. Problem solving, critical thinking, pride in workmanship, communication and following instructions (both oral and written) and attention to detail are all skills that are gained or improved upon by students working in this curriculum.
Henderson, Paige
Administrative Coordinator
Paige provides office management and oversees day-to-day operations and budget monitoring. She also assists in the development of University of Idaho educational program resources, marketing, registration, coordination and set-up of workshops and seminars.
Hines, Steven
Extension Educator, Crops
Steven Hines is professor of Extension located in Jerome County. Steven has been with UI Extension since January of 2000. His areas of expertise include forages, cereals and cover crops.
Ho Kim, Jang
Assistant Professor, Extension Food Safety Specialist
Jang is an experienced food scientist in the area of food safety. He conducts basic and applied research on alternative food processing technologies to develop value-added products using local agricultural commodities. He provides evidence-based educational information related to value-added processing and consumer food safety on home food preservation, sanitation, food handling, food recalls and warnings.
Hoffman, Katie
Extension Educator — Family and Consumer Sciences
Katie Hoffman was born and raised in Lemhi County. She started with UI Extension, Lemhi County as a summer intern in 2003. She later served as the 4-H program assistant for two years before taking the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Educator position. Her passion lies in community connectedness and personal leadership development. Her goal is to help Lemhi County become a stronger, healthier community.
Hong, Zonglie
Associate Professor
He teaches general biochemistry and plant biochemistry courses. His research covers areas of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and genomics of plants, with special interests in cell wall biosynthesis, flower and seed development, and biological nitrogen fixation.
Howell, Michael
Northern District Director
Mike provides leadership for the University of Idaho Extension programs in the northern district. In that role he provides leadership and administrative function for hiring and supervision of Extension educators, budget and evaluation, promotion and tenure and building relationships with stakeholders and other partners in the ten county region.
Humpherys, Dave
Weed Program Assistant
Under the supervision of the weed and pest director, Dave has been working on noxious weed control for the past 15 years. In the weed department, we work with multiple state and federal agencies and local working groups to implement the noxious weed programs and projects. In the weed department, we have multiple projects such as noxious weed biocontrol, rancher’s cooperative projects, spray days and South Fork cooperative weed management. We are active with the state and southwest weed control associations.
Mir was the president of the state weed control association and Dave chairs the South Fork cooperative weed management project. Mir wrote and received a grant to obtain state-of-the art noxious weed storage facilities.
Hunt, Carl
Professor Emeritus
As a researcher and educator, Hunt was engaged in a broad spectrum of activities that involved applied aspects of ruminant nutrition, with particular emphasis on beef cattle.
Hutchings , Rebecca (Becky)
Extension Educator — Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development
Major responsibilities include nutrition, health, food safety, volunteer development and 4-H youth development educational programming. This includes assessment and development of programs within Minidoka County and southern district.
Hutchinson, Pamela J.S.
Associate Professor, Potato Cropping Systems Weed Scientist
Premier Potato Cropping Systems Weed Management Program. Increased database of hairy nightshade biology in potato cropping systems. Hairy nightshade control with targeted tank mixtures. Potato variety tolerance to new potato herbicides. Effect of glyphosate carryover in tubers of multiple potato varieties. New information on herbicide management of the Pale Cyst Nematode trap crop Solanum sisymbriifolium.
Jackson, Chad A.
Research Specialist
Responsibilities: Website publishing, organizing fertility trials, fungicide trials, new variety updates, quality data and table updates, technology and equipment maintenance. Assists growers in cereal agronomic and disease management decisions.
Jayo, Cammie
Eat Smart Idaho Program Coordinator
Cammie coordinates the Eat Smart Idaho program in the southern district counties of Butte, Cassia, Custer, Gooding, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls. She is responsible for recruiting, hiring, training and supervising nutrition advisors, and is the liaison between outside agencies and various University of Idaho departments.
Jensen, Kirstin
Extension Educator, Health & Fitness/Nutrition, Associate Professor
Kirstin has served as an Extension educator in Idaho County since 2008 with an emphasis in family and consumer sciences. She offers programming in health, nutrition and fitness to all community members, schools and businesses.
Jensen, K. Scott
Extension Educator, County Chair
I conduct applied research and Extension programs in beef cattle, range, and pasture management. I co-coordinate the Idaho Beef Quality Assurance program. I collaborate with team members to conduct the longstanding Lost Rivers Grazing Academy. I also teach beef/dairy cattle artificial insemination classes annually. I provide BQA, AI, milker and calving schools in Spanish.
Johnson, Carrie
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Carrie Johnson previously served as the 4-H Program Coordinator for Gem and Boise Counties, the Annie's Project Coordinator and the 4-H Fair Secretary in Gem/Boise County. As a nine-year member of 4-H, Johnson was inspired to go to the University of Idaho to study Animal Science.
Johnson, Shelly
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Shelly Johnson is a University of Idaho Extension professor and has been serving north Idaho since 1999. Her primary focus is nutrition, health promotion and wellness programs. Johnson is known for her work in senior nutrition, diabetes management, obesity prevention for youth and nutrition for high-risk, low-income families. She oversees Eat Smart Idaho in the 10 northern counties of Idaho, education that reaches many low-income families with assistance in buying, preparing and eating healthier foods on a limited budget.
Jones, Linda
Technical Aide II
Responsibilities
- Isolation and culturing plant pathogens, analyzing seed phosphorus data, data compilation, operating FOSS Near Infrared spectrophotometer, performing beta glucan testing, participating in planting and harvest operations
Joyner, Helen
Assistant Professor
Joyner’s courses focus on practical application of food science concepts, critical thinking and problem-solving. Topics covered include engineering and quality management principles that are used in the food industry as well as sensory aspects of dairy products. She uses multiple active learning strategies in all courses to promote improved depth of learning and long-term retention.
Kinder, Cindy
Extension Educator, 4-H and Animal Sciences
Kinder grew up on a commercial cattle ranch and feedlot and raised registered Black Angus cattle for her 4-H and FFA projects. She was and is very active in 4-H, FFA and National Jr. Angus Associations as a member and now as a volunteer. Kinder loves to provide opportunities to youth and families learning about their animal projects, particularly with feeding, giving shots and quality assurance. She also likes to have youth discover things, which is why she created animal science experiments.
Laarman, Anne
Assistant Professor, Ruminant Nutrition & Metabolism
Laarman’s research focuses on improving nutrient uptake in cattle, especially during growth and diet transitions. His teaching experience is primarily in nutrition and physiology, and aims to incorporate student projects and presentations to maximize student engagement in learning.
Lancaster, Jamie
4-H Program Coordinator
Lancaster grew up in Jerome, with horses and registered Hereford and Angus cattle. She was very active in 4-H, taking beef, dairy and horse projects, as well as sewing, Dutch oven and KYG projects. She was also very active in the Idaho Junior Hereford Association and other state horse organizations. Lancaster graduated from Utah State University and is excited to come back to the 4-H program. She loves helping members find opportunities to become involved and gain new skills.
Leblanc, Luc
Curator and manager of the William F. Barr Entomological Museum
Luc Leblanc has many years of experience in the fields of insect taxonomy (especially Tephritidae and Ichneumonidae) and managing insect collections. He also lived and worked many years abroad, implementing plant protection-related projects in Africa (1989-1994) and the South Pacific Islands (1994-2002).
Lee, Katherine
Assistant Professor
Katherine is an applied natural resource and environmental economist with a background in natural science. Her research is highly interdisciplinary, using economic and ecological concepts in mathematical models and empirical analyses in order to explore feedbacks between human and natural systems.
Lewis, Edwin
Department Head and Professor, Co-Director of Center for Health in the Human Ecosystem
Lide, Chen
Associate Professor, Extension Waste Management Engineer
Campus: Twin Falls
Lin, Amy
Associate Professor
My research focuses on starch chemistry and its influence on human health and functionality. Starch is the major glycemic carbohydrate source for humans, and the final digestion product — dietary glucose, is a major energy source and affects some physiologic responses. Starch is also the major eatable component in crops, such as potato and wheat, and its properties and interaction with another macro- and micro-molecules have a significant impact on crop end-use quality.
Lindstrom, James
4-H Youth Development Director
Currently the program director for the University of Idaho 4-H Youth Development program, Lindstrom brings over thirty-five years of professional experience to this role. He has engaged in 4-H program development in Montana, Arizona, Washington and now Idaho. Lindstrom currently represents the United States on the Global 4-H Network Board.
Luckhart, Shirley
Professor, Co-Director of Center for Health in the Human Ecosystem
Luckhart is an expert in arthropod-borne infectious diseases. Her major focus is malaria, including innate immunity in the mosquito and mammalian host and interventions to block both disease and transmission.
Luna, Rebecca
Eat Smart Idaho Nutrition Advisor
Rebecca is a bilingual nutrition advisor, she teaches classes for limited income families and youth. You can find her teaching at Women, Infants and Children Program clinics, Headstart centers, Working Solutions, food pantries, elementary schools and summer feeding programs. Classes include information on nutrition, physical activity, food safety, resource management and tips for parents feeding young children.
Lyons, Alana
Office Manager
Alana Lyons is the friendly voice on the phone or the smiling face that you see if you call or drop by the UI Extension office in Idaho County. Alana provides assistance with 4-H program materials for clubs, helps out at various 4-H events and activities, coordinates the publishing of all Extension newsletters and helps direct client calls and inquiries.
Manker, Gretchen
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Gretchen 's programming areas include health and nutrition, food safety, financial management and 4-H youth development. Gretchen served as a community nutrition advisor for Eat Smart Idaho (SNAP-Ed and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) for many years. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and enjoys teaching.
McGuire, Mark
Associate Dean of Research & Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station
McShane, Judith
Program Specialist
Afterschool partnerships, CYFAR, Healthy Living programs, International Programs.
Minnich, Scott
Associate Professor
My research is centered on bacterial pathogenesis of Yersinia enterocolitica and Y. pestis, etiologic agents of yersiniosis and bubonic plague respectively. The hallmark of these infectious agents is their ability to suppress the innate immune response of mammalian hosts.
Moller, Greg
Professor
Our research group conducts translational, trans-disciplinary research to advance the goals of sustainability by developing new knowledge and innovations in the area of sustainable solutions for water resources. We have had considerable impact on individuals, communities and environmental quality in a regional, national and international context.
Momont, Patrick
Southern District Director
Pat’s experience includes serving as a state beef Extension specialist, conducting joint research and extension projects involving cow nutrition, grazing behavior, retained ownership and alternative forages. For the last 17 years he has provided leadership for southwestern and south-central district Extension programs; hiring and supervising county Extension educators, building relationships with stakeholders and serving as the Caldwell Complex superintendent.
Morrisroe-Aman, Bridget
Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences
Ms. Morrisroe-Aman is a family and consumer sciences (FCS) assistant professor, in Ada County, focused on nutrition, health and food safety. She leads the district Diabetes Prevention Program and co-leads the district Master Food Safety Advisor volunteer programs.
Murdoch, Brenda
Assistant Professor
Murdoch’s research focuses on characterizing the relationship between genetic variation in mammals and traits which are valued and important to society. She exploits a number of molecular and genetic tools to further improve our understanding of how these variations affect biological processes of both undesirable and desirable phenotypic traits.
Murdoch, Gordon
Associate Professor
Murdoch primarily assesses and evaluates the physiological status of striated muscle in the context of nutritional changes, growth promoters and genetic variation using advanced high-throughput molecular tools such as gene expression analyses (qRT-PCR), transcriptome analyses and proteomic, enzymatic and biochemical assays.
Nash, Scott
Regional Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Scott joined the University of Idaho in 1995. He is a regional youth development educator providing 4-H leadership in 14 Eastern Idaho counties as well as statewide leadership in 4-H animal science. He was the county Extension educator in Bingham and Bannock Counties prior to his regional appointment. He has lived in Pocatello, Idaho for 22 years.
O'Leary, Marilyn
Office Secretary
Marilyn keeps things moving at the UI Extension, Payette County office. You will find her working on 4-H member enrollments and reports, balancing the check book, paying the bills, keeping the budget on track, scheduling events and volunteers, tracking inventory and engaging in the everyday general duties that keep the office running smoothly.
Painter, Kate
Extension Educator — Agriculture, Assistant Professor
Kate Painter is an assistant professor and agricultural Extension educator and provides educational programming in cereal and forage production, livestock production, horticulture and small farm production. She also provides assistance in value-added production, based on her own small sheep fiber business and offers training for the Idaho Master Gardener program. She has been with the University of Idaho since 2009. Prior to her current position, she taught farm management and enterprise budgeting and produced crop and livestock enterprise budgets as part of her position with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.
Paszczynski, Andrzej J.
Professor Emeritus
Paszczynski use an emerging proteomic approaches to discern and verify the unique proteins (biomarkers) that infer directly or indirectly the functional aspects of microbial tolerance of the extreme environmental conditions. Protecting space from bacteria and Lignin degradation: microorganisms, enzymes involved, genomes analysis and evolution
Petty, Barbara
Associate Dean and Director of UI Extension
Barbara’s experience includes serving as an Extension educator in Bonneville County for 11 years with an emphasis in family and consumer sciences. She offered programming in family development and financial literacy. For four years Barbara provided leadership for UI Extension programs in 16 counties as the eastern district director. In 2014 she was selected to be the interim UI Extension director and became the associate dean/director of UI Extension in 2016.
Peutz, Joey
Extension Educator
Joey Peutz directs all UI Extension, Payette County programs. You can find her teaching and training the Southern Idaho District Master Food Safety Advisors and Advanced Master Food Safety Advisors, supporting the Cultivate Idaho process, administering the Southern Idaho District Eat Smart Idaho program and creating nutrition and health programs to help families become more self-sufficient by providing information about wise food and health choices as well as producing and preserving food at home.
Pruitt, Sheila
Receptionist
Sheila Pruitt is the primary receptionist for UI Extension, Boundary County. She is also responsible for putting together the Boundary County Extension Connections newsletter and assists with family and consumer sciences, agriculture and 4-H departments and the noxious weeds secretary. Pruitt has been with UI Extension since 2010.
Ramsey, Mitzi
Administrative Assistant
Mitzi grew up in Minidoka County. Mitzi was raised in the accounting atmosphere and worked in an office since the age of 14. Growing up, she had never been involved in 4-H. However, she is rapidly learning the ropes with many questions along the way. She joined the UI Extension, Minidoka County office in 2010 as the administrative assistant.
Rasco, Barbara
Director, School of Food Science
Rasco’s research interests involves the development of analytical methods to predict the safety and quality of food products. A current research area utilizes non-destructive spectrophotometric (short wavelength near infrared) measurements to develop chemometric models to predict the quality and safety of food products, primarily aquatic food products.
Richard, Ronald
Vandal Brand Meats Manager and Instructor
Richard is the Manager of the UI Meat Laboratory, Vandal Brand Meats, a full service butcher shop with locally grown beef, lamb and pork products. The UI Meat Lab is an essential element for hands-on learning and Vandal Brand Meats student employees have a detailed understanding of meats, food safety and the meat industry.
Richel, Karen
Extension Educator - Financial Literacy
Karen specializes in basic financial education for every age and socioeconomic group by offering classes, workshops and simulations on topics ranging from budgeting to end-of-life planning. She is an accredited financial counselor and money coach, she provides free, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching sessions.
Ryu, Jae Hyeon
Associate Professor
Campus: Boise
Ares of Expertise: Drought monitoring/forecasting/outlooks, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)/drone, water resources planning and management/irrigated agriculture, climate change/hydrologic modeling
Ryu, Dojin
Professor
Research interests in my laboratory involve naturally occurring toxicants of microbial or environmental origin and the effect of various food processes on their chemistry and biological effects. An area of emphasis is chemical and toxicological fate of mycotoxins, a diverse group of secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi. Current projects include the risk assessment of ochratoxin A in the U.S. We are also developing culturally sensitive education programs for the deaf teenagers to reduce foodborne illness.
Schroeder, Kurtis
Cropping Systems Agronomist, Assistant Professor
Schroeder’s research focuses on improving cereal-based cropping systems through a combination of crop rotation, nutrient management and agronomic inputs. A specific focus of the research is to understand and manage soil acidity, and examines strategies for management of soilborne fungal diseases. Schroeder directs the small grain and grain legume Extension variety trials for northern Idaho, providing objective variety performance and yield data for public and private materials.
Smith, Brennan
Assistant Professor
For cereals and cereal products, I have a profound interest in understanding the chemical reasons for protein functionality and have characterized and manipulated various protein sources to function in a similar manner to wheat gluten. For seafood, focused on the area of seafood chemistry and functionality to develop new ways to reduce fishery wastes and to characterize how seasonal and physiological cycles affected fish composition.
Unlu, Gulhan
Associate Professor
Ünlü is an instructor for three senior-level and a graduate-level food science courses at the University of Idaho and Washington State University. Ünlü’s research laboratory has a food microbiology/ biotechnology focus targeting main agricultural interests, commodities (dairy, potatoes, fish) and byproducts (cheese whey, potato peel waste, fish skin/bones) in ID and WA.
Watson, Philip
Associate Professor
Watson is a natural resource and regional development economist whose research focuses on the role of natural resources in the economic health of communities and evidence based economic development planning.
West, Andres “Andy”
Extension Educator, Horticulture
Horticulture is a big part of Andy’s life. He has worked in the industry for 20+ years in many different aspects including: native plants, design/build, maintenance, greenhouse and education. He has undergraduate degrees in horticulture and a Master’s degree in higher education with an emphasis in teaching and learning from Kaplan University—Online which is now Purdue Online. He had his own landscape/maintenance business that he ran for several years. Andy said it has been rewarding to see things he’s planted or maintained and to watch people he’s taught to grow, learn and mature horticulturally. He said his favorite part of his career has been in teaching and educating people about horticulture.
Wheeler, Tadd
Instructor
Wheeler’s teaching experience includes courses in forest and rangeland vegetation management as well as ecologically based natural resource planning. He also has an extensive mechanical background that includes agricultural, natural resource, automotive and heavy equipment experience. He advocates for experiential based learning and the flipped classroom model.
Wilfong, Alaena
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Alaena has an extensive background in animal science, earning both of her degrees in this field. She has interests in livestock production and management as well as meat science. She enjoys teaching and speaking about STEM education and quality assurance.
Wolf, Kattlyn
Associate Professor
Kattlyn Wolf received her B.S. in Animal Science in 2000 and her B.S. in Vocational Agriculture in 2002 from the University of Wyoming. She was a member of the Collegiate Meat Judging Team, Sigma Alpha, Alpha Tau Alpha, Block and Bridle and Collegiate FFA and was one of two College of Agriculture Senators in the Associated Students of the University of Wyoming. She received her honorary state FFA degree from Wyoming in 2005.
Woodhall, James
Assistant Professor
James manages the Plant Clinic at Parma offering a range of diagnostic tests and advice to growers. In addition, James has a research program characterizing plant pathogens and developing new diagnostic methods for diseases across a range of crops.
