Geneva, New York
November 22, 2002

by John Zakour

Alan Lakso has been appointed chairman of the department of horticultural sciences at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, in Geneva, NY, effective January 1, 2003.

He replaces outgoing chairman, Hugh Price. Lakso, whose research focuses on apple and grape physiology, studies how apples and grapes grow, and how the weather combines with grower practices to influence fruit yield and quality. "I am pleased that Alan Lakso has agreed to serve as the next chair of horticultural sciences," said Station director James E. Hunter. "Alan has an outstanding reputation as a scientist, knows Cornell and the Station extremely well, has a good understanding of the issues facing the department, and works well with people. I look forward to having him as a member of the Station's leadership team."

"It is an honor to be asked by our faculty and administration to assume this important role," said Lakso. "After being a Cornell faculty member for almost 30 years, I felt that it was an opportunity to contribute to the department in a new capacity." Lakso said his goals are to help the department through difficult reductions in state funding, and shift to more diverse funding bases while maintaining the support of New York horticultural industries and consumers.

"Our department has great strength across the spectrum of research on horticultural crops. This extends from more fundamental studies of plant genetics and physiology, to the development of efficient production systems and excellent crop varieties that ensure top quality produce, and the protection of the environment," said Lakso. He noted that department faculty and staff focus their research on problems of practical value to New York's horticultural producers and consumers.

Lakso received his B.S. in Biological Sciences in 1970 from the University of California-Davis, and his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology in 1973, also from UC- Davis. He lives in Geneva, NY.