Dr. Zhenli He

Professor and Associate Center Director

Dr. He is a Professor in Soil Fertility and Environmental Chemistry, as well as IRREC's Associate Center Director. His research interests include soil biogeochemistry of nutrients and contaminants, remediation of contaminated soil and water, citrus nutrition, management of nutrients, wastes, and water quality.

Dr. He currently teaches "Soil Quality" (SWS 6134) for graduates and "Nanotechnology Application in Agriculture and Environment" (SWS6932/4932) for graduates/undergraduates, and "Soil Science Lab for the Environment" (SWS 3022L) for undergraduates.

Dr. He is an active member of American Association for Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, International Union of Soil Science, Soil Science Society of America, and American Society of Agronomy.

Dr. He serves as a submission editor for Journal of Soils and Sediments, and editorial board for the International Journal of Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis and the International Scholarly Research Network Soil Sciences. He is the University of Florida Research Foundation Professor, Fellow of American Society of Agronomy, and Fellow of Soil Science Society of America.

A Professor of Soil and Water Sciences, Dr. He joined the IRREC Faculty as an Assistant Professor in 2004. Dr. He's program involves research and teaching in the field of soil and water science, focusing on sustainable agriculture.

Dr. He is director of the Soil and Water Science Laboratory, housed inside the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center. His research interests include soil biogeochemistry of nutrients and contaminants, nutrient management and water quality, and waste management for sustainable agriculture.

Dr. He instructs graduate level courses online and hands-on undergraduate laboratory courses.

• Teaching

  Soil and Water Science

  Dr. He is currently teaching "Soil Quality" (SWS 6134) for graduates;  "Nanotechnology Application in Agriculture and Environment" (SWS 6932/4932) for graduates and undergraduates; and, "Soil Science Lab for the Environment" (SWS 3022L) for undergraduates.

  Dr. He's graduates have found employment with prestigious private and government research firms, including Water Management Districts and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

• Research

  Soil and Water Science

  The goal of Dr. Zhenli He's research program is to obtain effective and economically sound solutions to preserving, maintaining, or restoring soil and water quality, and to evaluate environmentally sensitive means of using nutrients in plant production systems.

  His team conducts research in collaboration with growers, fertilizer industry representatives and scientists in different disciplines, within and outside University of Florida.

  Dr. He's research thrust areas are: 1) biogeochemical processes of nutrients and contaminants in soils; 2) remediation of contaminated soil and water resources; and 3) development of best management practices for sustainable agriculture.

  Some of Dr. He's recent research projects include: The development of smart nanoparticle-delivery systems for pesticides and fertilizers; phytoremediation to remove excessive nitrogens; phosphorus in eutrophic stormwaters; development of slow release fertilizers for sandy soils; soil amendment to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in surface runoff. Other topics include evaluation of soil quality properties for crop production in tropical and subtropical regions; contribution of agricultural surface runoff to Escherichia; Coli Populations receiving; surface waters.

  An additional area of research focus is with correlations among rainfall events, nutrients; and phytoplankton composition in Ten Mile Creek and the St. Lucie River Estuary.

• Education
  • Ph.D.,Soil and Environmental Chemistry Zhejiang University 1988
  • MSc,Soil Chemistry and Fertility, Zhejiang University 1984
  • BSc,Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Zhejiang University 1981
• Publications
  • Google Scholar
• Awards and Service

  Awards

  • University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship Award, 2020-2023
  • University of Florida Research Foundation Professor, 2015-2107
  • Fellow, Soil Science Society of America, 2015
  • Fellow, American Society of Agronomy, 2013
  • University of Florida Superior Accomplishment Award, 2010
  • University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship Award, 2009
  • 2nd Place Award for Science and Technology Progress, Education Ministry, China, 2000

  Service

  • Current Leader, U.S.-Sino Agricultural Research Forum Community, 2012-current
  • President, Chinese Association of Soil and Plant Scientist of North America, 2009-2010
  • International Steering Committee Member
  • International Symposium on Trace Elements and Ecosystem Health, 2004-current