KENT, Ohio (October 2, 2024) - Oasis Grower Solutions, a division of Smithers-Oasis, today announced that Erin Yafuso, Ph.D., has joined the expanding Oasis Grower Solutions team in a newly created position of Plant Scientist, effective October 1, 2024.
Smithers-Oasis Director of Global Grower Operations & Research Vijay Rapaka, Ph.D., made the announcement as he welcomed Dr. Yafuso to the Oasis Grower Solutions team. In her role as Plant Scientist with the division, Dr. Yafuso will have global responsibilities and report directly to Dr. Rapaka.
“I’m extremely pleased to have Dr. Yafuso as part of our team,” Dr. Rapaka said. “This new position will play an important role as we continue to advance the science and development of innovative new substrates and expand into emerging areas of vital importance for sustainable controlled environment agriculture with grower-driven, real-world solutions. After an intensive search to fill the position, it was clear that Dr. Yafuso is a terrific match both for the scientific challenges ahead and for our team.”
Dr. Yafuso’s work with Oasis Grower Solutions will involve all aspects of propagation, production and post-harvest quality of floriculture and hydroponic food crops grown under controlled environmental conditions. Special emphasis will be given to specialty substrates for propagation, soilless cultivation and hydroponic production, as well as the development of sustainable and biobased solutions to improve growth and quality of controlled environmental agricultural crops. In addition to conducting plant science experiments, Dr. Yafuso will collaborate closely with other team members to successfully develop and launch new products.
Dr. Yafuso received her Ph.D. in Horticultural Sciences from the University of Florida, Gainesville after receiving her M.S. in Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering and her B.S. in Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, both from the University of Hawaii, Manoa. Prior to joining Oasis Grower Solutions, Dr. Yafuso most recently held a three-year postdoctoral research horticulturist position with the USDA ARS in Toledo, Ohio, where her work focused on nutrient optimization of strawberry mother plant and subsequent daughter crowns in controlled environments for propagation.
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About Oasis Grower Solutions: As a pioneer in propagation media, Oasis Grower Solutions has been innovating in direct response to commercial growers’ substrate needs for 55 years. With a passion for global impact, the Oasis Grower Solutions team of floriculture, horticulture and CEA researchers and specialists is committed to supporting grower success. From vegetative propagation media and hydroponic substrates to hydroponic fertilizer, wetting agents, postharvest products and greenhouse cleaners, Oasis Grower Solutions products, services and people help growers succeed. Visit us at oasisgrowersolutions.com/ and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/oasis-grower-solutions/. Oasis Grower Solutions is a Division of Smithers-Oasis.
About Smithers-Oasis: Smithers-Oasis’ global expertise in the plant and flower business stretches from propagation to presentation. With locations in more than 19 countries and resources around the world, Smithers-Oasis manufactures and markets floral foam and floral media, postharvest products, growing media, floral sprays and dyes, and flower arranging supplies for the floriculture and horticulture industries. OASIS®, FLORALIFE® and DESIGN MASTER® are three of the company’s most recognized brands, founded in 1954, 1938 and 1961, respectively. With 70 years of experience in foaming technology, Smithers-Oasis also manufactures and markets specialty foams for a wide variety of applications including temperature control packaging, cast-alternative impression, absorption and molding. The company’s driving purpose is Improving Lives Worldwide. Smithers-Oasis, a privately owned company, is headquartered in Kent, Ohio, USA.