Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Rossi

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, USA. His main research area is in plant root biology. Dr. Rossi’s research program focuses on improving root health and growth in 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 stocks, as well as speciality crops such as peaches and olive trees. Dr. Rossi coordinates the UF/IFAS Plant Root Science Consortium at 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) and “Advanced Horticultural Physiology” (HOS4341/HOS6932) courses at the Horticultural Sciences Department. He is also involved in organizing and teaching the “Planting Roots for the Future” international short summer course (ALS5932) that is held every year in Orlando, FL, USA. 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. in Plant Biology from Italy’s most prestigious scientific university, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy.