Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza

2019 D.W. Brooks Faculty Award for Excellence in Extension

Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza
Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, UGA Griffin campus

Over the past 17 years, Alfredo Martinez-Espinoza has developed a dynamic nationally and internationally recognized Extension and applied research program in management of new and recurring diseases of turfgrass, small grains and non-legume forages.

He works diligently to meet the needs of a diverse clientele and has established interdisciplinary, national and international collaborations with research, Extension, and industry professionals that have resulted in improved disease management and production practices for turfgrass, small grains and grass forages.

“Passionate support to county agents, faculty, industry, stakeholders and the public at large has been the banner and motivation of Martinez-Espinoza’s program,” according to Martinez-Espinoza’s colleagues.

Martinez-Espinoza has developed a productive basic and applied research program to deliver relevant, usable information to his stakeholders; address new or recurring problems; and fill knowledge gaps.

Martinez-Espinoza has authored four books; six book chapters, 12 master gardeners handbooks and industry certification manuals; 48 peer-reviewed journal articles; 71 other scientific publications; 40 peer-reviewed Extension bulletins and circulars; 150 sections in 12 special Extension bulletins; 181 articles in industry journals; and 75 media outlet products from newspaper and web articles to online videos. In 2017 alone, electronic versions of all his Extension publications were viewed and/or downloaded 7,894 times. One video has been viewed 229,289 times and won the 2018 Extension Materials Awards from the American Society for Horticultural Sciences.

Martinez-Espinoza has organized and conducted 333 educational conferences, workshops and seminars for professionals and scientists; 43 in-service trainings for county faculty; and 175 local and/or county programs. Martinez-Espinoza’s bilingual publications were viewed or downloaded 1,502 times and he has performed more than 300 site visits and 12,000 diagnoses and recommendations for disease and nematodes for turfgrass, small grains and non-legume forage plant samples.

“Dr. Martinez-Espinoza has demonstrated a unique ability to effectively serve the breadth of this industry through his research and extension activities,” said one colleague.