Photo: Dan Sandor
Daniel (Dan) Sandor, Ph.D., joined the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Science faculty as assistant professor of turfgrass science in December 2019. Sandor arrived in Blacksburg after spending 18 months as a postdoctoral associate in the Turfgrass Science Program at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he developed and provided outreach/education programming and conducted field research. He earned his Ph.D. in plant science in 2018 at the University of Arkansas under Douglas Karcher, Ph.D. His dissertation research focused on best management practices for water conservation in residential and commercial turfgrass systems.
Sandor’s primary responsibility at Virginia Tech will be to take a lead role in enhancing curricula, developing an outstanding turf teaching program and expanding the visibility of Virginia Tech’s Turfgrass Science Program. He will establish new courses and learning initiatives and also will develop online educational coursework in collaboration with other Virginia Tech faculty and staff.
His additional responsibilities include coordinating turfgrass internships and undergraduate research programs, as well as being the primary faculty advisor to turfgrass science undergraduate students. Sandor also will continue to foster cooperative relationships with stakeholders in developing experiential learning opportunities and will be responsible for developing an active student recruitment program.
Sandor is excited to join the team of faculty and staff already present at Virginia Tech. He also is looking forward to working with regional and state industry partners and organizations to help enhance the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Science Undergraduate Program and to further serve these industries and member organizations. He is passionate in encouraging his students to go beyond simply earning good grades in the classroom and challenges them to take advantage of outstanding internship and experiential learning opportunities that will prepare them for rewarding future careers as turfgrass scientists, professionals and proud graduates of Virginia Tech.
Contact Sandor by email at dsandor@vt.edu.
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