Resume

email dmsylvia@psu.edu for full CV

DAVID M. SYLVIA

  • Emeritus Professor of Soil Microbiology, Penn State Univ., 2017 to present
  • Phone: (814) 574 2469, e-mail: dmsylvia@psu.edu

 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

  • Director of Academic Affairs for Graduate Programs, World Campus, Penn State Univ., 2011 to 2017
  • Professor and Head, Crop & Soil Sciences, Penn State Univ., 2002 to 2011
  • Professor, Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, 1993 to 2002
  • Visiting Research Fellow, Biological Lab., University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, 1993
  • Associate Professor, Soil & Water Science Dept, University of Florida, 1989 to 1993
  • Assistant Professor, Soil Science Department, University of Florida, 1984 to 1989
  • Research Associate, Plant Pathology Department, University of Florida, 1981 to 1984

 EDUCATION:

  • Ph.D., Plant Pathology, Cornell University; Minor: Plant Physiology
  • M.S., Plant Pathology, University of Massachusetts,
  • B.S., Forestry, University of Massachusetts

HONORS:

  • Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2003)
  • Fellow, American Society of Agronomy (2001)
  • Fellow, Soil Science Society of America (2000)
  • Graduate Teacher of the Year, College of Agr. and Life Sci., Univ. of Florida (1998/1999)
  • Course Webpage selected to receive a Links2Go Key Resource Award (1998)
  • Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award (1997)
  • Outstanding Faculty Achievement and Performance Award (1990)
  • National Academy of Science Exchange Scholar to Czechoslovakia (1988)
  • Member of Xi Sigma Pi, Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta
  • Summa Cum Laude, University of Massachusetts

COURSES TAUGHT:

  • Undergraduate and Graduate Soil Microbiology and Soil Microbial Ecology
  • Topics in Mycorrhizae and Soil Microbiology
  • First Year Seminar (Be a Master Student) – Environmental Emphasis
  • Effective Scientific Communication
  • Issues in Ecosystem Management

RESEARCH INTEREST:

Rhizosphere microbiology, ecology and physiology of mycorrhizae

RECENT SERVICE

College/University

  • University Facilities Planning Advisory Board (2005 to present)
  • Advisory Committee for Environmental and Natural Resources Institute (ENRI) in the College of Agricultural Sciences(2004 to present).
  • Selection Committee for Black Research Award (2004)
  • Coordinating Council of the Penn State Institutes of the Environment (2003 – present)
  • Sustainable Agriculture Strategic Planning Coordinating Committee (2003-present)
  • Search Committee Co-Chair, Director of Cooperative Extension and Associate Vice President for Outreach (2003-2004)
  • Extension Plan-of-Work Needs Assessment Committee (2003)
  • Search Committee, Unit Leader for CAS Horticulture Department (2003-2004)
  • Ad Hoc Committee Considering CAS Environmental Institute (2003)
  • Webmaster for Plant Science Unit (2000 – 2002)
  • Confidential Committees to Investigate Personnel Grievance, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, 1999, 2001

Regional/National

  • CSREES/Graduate Programs Review Panel for Department of Soil, Water and Climate, University of Minnesota, Feb 1-5, 2004.
  • Multistate Project NCA-1, 2004 to present, Chair, 2006
  • Soil Science Society of America, Chair, Div S-3, 2000-2001
  • Review Panel for USDA NRICGP, Soils and Soil Biology Program, 2000
  • Soil Science Society of America Journal, Associate Editor for Div. S-3, 1988 – 1990
  • Multistate Project S-297, “Soil Microbial Taxonomic and Functional Diversity as Affected by Land Use Management.” 2000 to present.  Project Webmaster.

International

  • Editorial Board for Biology and Fertility of Soils. 1993 to 2002
  • Editorial Board for Mycorrhiza. 2000 to 2008