May 10, 1999

New Pomologist Joins NYS Ag Experiment Station in the Hudson Valley

by John Zakour

PHOTO CREDIT: NYSAES/Cornell

GENEVA, NY: Dr. James R. Schupp has joined Cornell University's Department of Horticultural Sciences at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, as Assistant Professor of Pomology. Schupp will be taking the position vacated by Ed Stover at the Hudson Valley Lab in Highland, NY. The position is a 60 percent research, 40 percent extension split. Schupp will be working with apples and other tree fruits, helping to ensure that the New York apple and tree fruit industry remains strong and prosperous.

Schupp's arrival rounds out the Hudson Valley team composed of entomologist Dick Straub, plant pathologist Dave Rosenberger, and cooperative extension educators Mike Fargione, Steve McKay, and Kevin Iungerman. Hudson Valley Lab Superintendent Dave Rosenberger enthusiastically welcomed Schupp, stating that his appointment "restores the integrity of the interdisciplinary fruit research and extension program in eastern New York."

"The pomologist at the Hudson Valley Lab is uniquely positioned to provide growers with timely information related to the specific growing conditions in eastern New York," said Rosenberger. He added that Schupp's expertise will be tapped by fruit growers as well as the Hudson Valley team, which looks forward to cooperating on various research projects with Schupp.

Department of Horticultural Sciences chairman, Hugh Price, said, "Jim Schupp is a welcomed addition to the Cornell tree fruit team. Over the past 12 years at the University of Maine, Jim has developed an excellent reputation as an applied pomologist who interacts well with the industry." Price looks forward to the leadership Schupp will provide to the tree fruit extension program in eastern New York. "His research program will complement the rest of the Cornell fruit team," said Price.

Happy to have this opportunity to work at Cornell, Schupp said, "Cornell has long been recognized as one of the premier horticultural departments in the world. It has long history in pomology. I am very excited to be part of it." He added, "Cornell has a fruit team. In Maine, I was a loner, and I am really excited about the opportunities to do cooperative projects-to be part of a cohesive team." In addition, Schupp enjoys the interchange of working with growers and he is looking forward to extending scientific research to practical applications in the field through extension.

Schupp comes to Cornell after working over 10 years at the University of Maine, where he was Associate Professor of Pomology and Extension Tree Fruit Specialist. While at Maine, Schupp had over 50 publications and gave numerous presentations. He was a guest lecturer for many courses.

Schupp received his B.S. in Business Administration from Bowling Green University in 1978, his M.S. in Pomology in 1985, and his Ph.D. in Pomology in 1988, both from Ohio State University.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Click on the above photo for 300 ppi version.

Contact: Linda McCandless, Communications Services
Telephone: (315) 787-2417
e-mail: llm3@cornell.edu

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