Dr. J. Bryan Unruh

Associate Center Director and Professor

Turfgrass Science

Dr. Unruh focuses on providing real-world solutions for today’s turfgrass manager. His work centers on water quality (nutrient leaching and runoff) and quantity (drought) concerns, pest management, and new turfgrass cultivar development. He leads a team of scientists and graduate students and works in collaboration with colleagues from the public and private sector.

Programs

Turfgrass Science Research Website

• Research

  Research Publications

• Extension

  Dr. Unruh is the state Turf Extension Specialist focused primarily on the Golf and Sod Production industries. He travels extensively supporting county extension faculty and working with the leaders of Florida’s turf industry. He is responsible for planning and implementing turfgrass educational field days, seminars, and regional conferences for the state of Florida and the upper gulf coast region. Dr. Unruh shares his knowledge through print and electronic media including the UF/IFAS EDIS system, his website, and social media site.

Contact

Jay Admin Rm. 15
UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center
4253 Experiment Rd., Hwy. 182
Jay, FL 32565
850-983-7105
jbu@ufl.edu

• Education
  • Ph.D. Horticulture - Turfgrass Science, Iowa State University, 1995
  • M.S. Horticulture - Turfgrass Science, Kansas State University, 1991
  • B.S. Horticulture - Turfgrass Management, Kansas State University, 1989
• Publications
  • Research Publications
  • Extension Publications
• Honors
  • Florida Turfgrass Association “Wreath of Grass” Distinguished Service Award (their highest award) (2009)
  • John and Martha Woeste Professional Recognition Award (2004)
  • Florida Agricultural Agents Association – Specialist of the Year Award (2004)
  • UF/IFAS Milton Campus Faculty of the Year (2003)
• Memberships and Activities in the Profession
  • Crop Science Society of America / American Society of Agronomy - member since 1985
    • C458 Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award Committee (2014-2016; chair 2015)
    • C457 Gerald O. Mott Scholarship Committee (2015 – 2016)
    • C-5 Division – Contemporary Issues Committee (1997-2000; chair, 2000)
    • C-5 Division – Extension Roundtable Planning Committee (2000-2003; chair, 2002)
  • Weed Science Society of America – member since 1999
    • Program Chair – Turf/Ornamentals – 2002
    • Session Chair – Turf/Ornamentals – 2000
  • Southern Weed Science Society - member since 1999
    • Session Chair – Turf/Ornamentals – 2000
  • Florida Weed Science Society - member since 1999
    • Director – 2012 – present
    • President – 2007-2008
    • Newsletter Editor – 2001-2004
  • Golf Course Superintendents Association of America - member since 1989
  • Gulf Coast Golf Course Superintendents - member since 1996
    • Secretary/Treasurer – 1996-2000
    • Director of Education – 2001-present
  • Florida Turfgrass Association - member since 1996
    • UF/IFAS Advisory Committee – 1998-present
    • Continuing Education Committee – 1999-present
    • Conference Committee – 1999-present; chair, 2001-2014
    • Awards Committee – 1999-2003