Lorenzo Rossi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Plant Root Biology

University of Florida

UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center
2199 South Rock Road
Ft. Pierce, FL 34945-3138

(w) (772) 577-7341

About

Dr. Lorenzo Rossi is an Assistant Professor affiliated with the Horticultural Sciences Department and located at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce, FL. His research program focuses on improving root health and growth on HLB-affected citrus, leading to the development of environmentally sound and effective citrus management methods. Particularly, his field and greenhouse trials aim to study the root system architecture of HLB-affected citrus root, as well as, specialty crops such as peaches and pongamia. Dr. Rossi’s laboratory is equipped with instruments needed for the study of root functions and architecture, root traits, root physiology and root imaging.

Dr. Rossi coordinates the UF/IFAS Plant Root Science Consortium, under the Center for Stress Resilient Agriculture. He develops and provides seminars and field days to students and growers, and he is the lead instructor for the “Root and Rhizosphere Ecology” (HOS 6355) course and he taught “Advanced Horticultural Physiology” (HOS4341/HOS6932) courses in the Horticultural Sciences Department. He is also involved in organizing and teaching the “Planting Roots for the Future” international short summer course (ALS5932) which is held every year in Orlando, FL.

Prior to Dr. Rossi’s appointment at UF/IFAS, he completed two post doctorate positions: Texas A&M University and North Carolina State University. Originally from Italy, he received his Ph.D. Degree in Plant Biology from Italy’s most prestigious scientific university, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy.