The UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has welcomed a familiar face to the position of dean for research.
Jackie Burns, director for UF’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Polk County, was one of three finalists who made the cut in the search for a new dean.
Burns will step in as the new dean on Nov. 1 for John Hayes, who left the position in July.
Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said the national search for a dean began in April and included several members of the faculty, students and stakeholders.
“We wanted to make sure we hired the best person we could find,” he said. “Besides being a researcher, she’s had a long number of years as a top administrator.”
The committee chose seven semifinalists in the national search and presented Payne with three choices, Burns among them.
Burns has 89 research publications as well as an extensive background in citrus research. Her career at UF began in 1987 as an assistant professor of horticulture at the Citrus Research and Education Center.
Payne said Burns’ citrus research has helped slow down the collapse of the citrus industry in Florida.
“She is an outstanding scientist,” Payne said. “She is leading the battle against the biggest challenge that citrus has had in the world.”
Several stakeholders, including the Florida Farm Bureau, had a hand in interviewing prospective candidates for the job.
“We had the heads of several departments on our committee,” he said. “These people benefit from our research, which is why they have a say in who we choose as dean.”
Juandavid Orejuela, a 20-year-old UF food and resource economics junior, said he hopes the new appointment will make the college thrive.
“People don’t think agriculture is important, but it is,” Orejuela said. “They just don’t know how much. Even now, it feels like IFAS is growing.”
Burns said in a press release that she will work toward protecting natural resources and industries related to the subject.
“IFAS has a significant base of established research expertise and creativity, with programs of renown,” she said in an IFAS press release. “Although there are challenges ahead, these should be great opportunities for IFAS program leadership.”
As of May, Burns has been earning an annual salary of $172,190 as a professor, according to public record. Payne said he will be working with Burns to negotiate her salary in the upcoming weeks.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 9/25/2014]
