University dean represents FIU in D.C.

Written by Camila Fernandez/News Director

Mike Heithaus, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, testified before a the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research in Washington D.C. Tuesday, Sept. 29.

The hearing, called “Research Innovations from our Nation’s Agricultural Colleges and Universities,” will give the opportunity to highlight the University’s innovative work in detecting and protecting crops in South Florida, according to FIU Federal Relations.

Crops have recently been susceptible to the deadly laurel wilt disease, which spreads by an invasive insect.

The dean also discussed FIU’s outreach efforts to attract minority high school students to the agricultural sciences. The University is trying to connect Hispanic farm workers, Hispanic agricultural scientists and engineers.

Other participants involved during the hearing included Mindy Brashears, director of the International Center for Food Industry Excellence at Texas Tech University and Michael Lacy, professor and department head of the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia.

Other topics that were planned for discussion include veterans and small farmers outreach, economic growth and job creation and research partnerships of which the University is engaged.

camila.fernandez@fiusm.com

Image by Adam Williams, courtesy of Creative Commons