New program lead at Vineland

Rhoda B. deJonge, PhD joined Vineland in October as Director, Plant Responses and the Environment. She replaces Darby McGrath, PhD who was promoted earlier this year to Vice President, Research and Development.

In her role, Rhoda is working with land managers, cities and producers across the country and internationally to help improve tree planting success in challenging settings. She will also focus on experimental research, education and outreach, and new technology development.

Rhoda joins from a Canadian-based plant care company where she led research on the application of microbial technology to improve tree survivorship and innovative ways to control urban insect pests. Prior to her work in academia, she gained valuable project management experience in the environmental non-profit sector in both the U.S. and Canada.

Rhoda completed her PhD at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry, studying the biological control of invasive species, and has worked as a post-doctoral fellow with the Faculty of Forestry and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.