Personnel
Department Head and Extension Plant Pathologist
Natalie Goldberg
Dr. Natalie Goldberg is the Extension Plant Pathologist at NMSU and also the Department Head for Extension Plant Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from the University of Arizona in 1990. Her job as a Plant Pathologist requires that she operate the plant diagnostic clinic for the State of New Mexico. While providing educational programs in plant pathology such as Master Gardener training, Pesticide Applicator training, grower workshops and conferences, she identifies new plant diseases and evaluates plant disease management methods in New Mexico. Dr. Goldberg also writes educational publications on plant diseases and their management and provides information of disease outbreaks and epidemics to the public and National Pest Data Banks and National Disease Publications.
Phone:(575)646-1621 (ngoldber@nmsu.edu).
Extension Plant Sciences Faculty and Staff
Jamshid Ashigh
Dr. Jamshid Ashigh is the Extension Weed Specialist and Assistant Professor in the Extension Plant Sciences Department at New Mexico State University. Jamshid received his BSc. in Botany and Ph.D. in Weed Science from University of Esfahan and Guelph, respectively. His main ares of research at NMSU include: Development and implementation of integrated weed management systems for field and horticultural crops grown in New Mexico; Characterization, ecology and management of herbicide resistance in weeds; Physiology of herbicide action; Economics of weed management and managing weeds with herbicides; and interaction of weeds and plant pathogens.
Jamshid can be reached at (575) 646-2888 or jashigh@nmsu.edu.
Maury Craig
Maury Craig is the Program Coordinator for the NMSU IR-4 Field Research Center. The IR-4 (Inter-regional Project #4) is a federally-funded program designed to provide fast-track registration of pesticides for "minor use", such as vegetable, fruit and nursery crops. Maury conducts field research on chile, onions, pecans, lettuce and other high value food crops that are important to New Mexico agriculture. Pesticide residue data are generated at a nationwide series of research facilities (such as our center at NMSU) for submittal to the Environmental Protection Agency. This data is used to establish tolerance levels that are required for labeling pesticides for new uses.
Maury craig can be reached at (575) 646-3231 (mcraig@nmsu.edu).
Robert Flynn
Robert Flynn is the Extension Agronomist at the Ag Science Center (ASC) in Artesia, NM.
He can be reached at (505) 748-1228 (rflynn@nmsu.edu).
Jason M. French
Jason M. French is the Plant Diagnostic Clinician and Pesticide Program Coordinator. He holds workshops in Las Cruces, Hobbs, Farmington, and Los Lunas and helps to coordinate other workshops throughout the state. These workshops enable prospective pesticide applicants to become certified and licensed. He received his B.S. in Agricultural Biology in May of 2006 and his M.S. in Agricultural Biology in 2010. His past experience was in Integrated Pest Management of cotton and alfalfa working with Dr. Scott Bundy. His professional interests include: diagnosis and management of plant diseases, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus and Xylella Fastidiosa.
Richard Heerema
Dr. Richard Heerema is the Extension Pecan Specialist at New Mexico State University. He is the Coordinator for the Western Pecan Grower's Association Conference held each year here in Las Cruces.
Dr. Heerema can be reached at (575) 646-2921 (rjheerem@nmsu.edu).
John Idowu
Dr. John Idowu is the Extension Agronomist at NMSU and has a statewide responsibility. He received his master's degree in agronomy and his doctorate degree in land management. John has worked extensively in the past on issues related to soil health for optimal crop production and conservation agriculture. His current research and extension interests include improving field crop production in New Mexico through sustainable cultural practices.
John can be reached at (575) 646-2571 or jidowu@nmsu.edu.
Bernd Leinauer
Dr. Bernd Leinauer is the Extension Turfgrass Specialist and Professor at NMSU. His work focuses on different strategies aimed at improving water use efficiency in turfgrass stands. These strategies include screening for cold tolerant and low water use turfgrasses, irrigation with high saline water, modification of turfgrass root zones to increase water retention, and use of subsurface irrigation.
Phone- (575) 646-2546 (leinauer@nmsu.edu or http://turf.nmsu.edu).
Bernd Maier
Bernd Maier, Extension Viticulture Specialist, is a veteran of the New Mexico viticulture industry with over 25 years of experience in the state. As a commercial consultant, Maier has helped improve local vineyards for two decades before taking a position with the Cooperative Extension Service. Current research for the New Mexico State University's Extension Plant Sciences Department includes meteorological studies and remote sensing with respect to grape varieties for Northern and Southern New Mexico, trellis system and irrigation evaluation to enhance grape quality and mechanization. Maier will provide consulting services to growers statewide and can answer questions on grapes and wine. He has worked and consulted internationally in Mexico, Germany, France, China, UAE, Iraq and Afghanistan.
He can be reached at (575) 646-5943 (bemaier@nmsu.edu).
Mark Marsalis
Mark Marsalis is an Extension Agronomy Specialist at New Mexico State University. He received his Ph.D. in Agronomy (Forages)from Texas Tech University in 2004. His expertise is in crops, particularly forage and grain crops, silage and hay production, sustainability in irrigated and dryland systems, Cereal crops for grain and forage, and Perennial grasses. He also works as Extension Agronomy Specialist at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis, NM.
Mark Marsalis can be reached at (575)799-6448 (marsalis@nmsu.edu.
Jane Pierce
Jane Pierce is the Entomologist at the Ag Science Center (ASC) in Artesia, NM.
She can be reached at (505) 748-1228 (japierce@nmsu.edu).
Craig Runyan
Runyan leads the CACES Water Task Force and is Extension Water Quality Specialist. He also manages various international development projects (Central Asia, Middle East) addressing irrigation and water resources in developing countries. Craig is co-coordinator of the NMSU Windpower Technology Center and team teaches the annuall Windmill Technology Workshop. His expertise in Project management and outreach education is focused on water and natural resource issues.
Contact information: office phone 575.646.1131 Email: crunyan@nmsu.edu.
Curtis Smith
Dr. Curtis Smith is an Extension Horticulture Specialist at the New Mexico State University Ag Science Center in Los Lunas, New Mexico. He is a graduate of Texas A & M University with degrees in Botany, Plant Physiology, and Horticulture. Dr. Smith works with county agents throughout New Mexico in developing, coordinating, and teaching county Master Gardener programs. He also has responsibilities in ornamental horticulture and landscape water conservation. He writes a weekly Yard and Garden newspaper/web page column and conducts monthly call-in gardening programs on two radio stations.
He can be reached at (505) 865-7340 or cwsmith@nmsu.edu.
Carol Sutherland
Dr. Carol Sutherland is the Extension Entomologist (1/2) at NMSU and State Entomologist (1/2) for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Dr. Sutherland earned her Ph.D. in Gen. Entomology at Oregon State University, 1974. Her expertise is Africanized bees and fire ants. She has worked on range caterpillars, grasshoppers, ants, and a great number of insects and their relatives as submitted for identification by the public, farmers, ranchers, colleagues, other agencies and organizations. She spends much of her time on identifications and supporting the county agents plus outreach programs in entomology and youth (4H and FFA) and adults. She also spends considerable time working with the Master Gardeners and the Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification program.
Carol Sutherland can be reached at (575) 646-1132 (csutherl@nmda.nmsu.edu).
Stephanie Walker
Dr. Stephanie Walker is the Extension Vegetable Specialist. She is an experienced chile and onion breeder and works with the public on vegetable issues ranging from commercial production to public school information programs. Her initial focus is on irrigation technology, mechanization and stand establishment. Stephanie, a Pennsylvania native, received her M.A. in Horticulture and Doctorate in Agronomy from NMSU.
Stephanie Walker can be reached at (575) 646-4398 (swalker@nmsu.edu).
Mary Acosta
Audit Budget Tech I, (575)646-3155, (acomary@nmsu.edu)
Mary F. Curtis
Admn. Secretary III, (575)646-1715, (marcurti@nmsu.edu)
Peggy Salopek
Admn. Secretary III, (575)646-2875, (psalopek@nmsu.edu)