
Eajaz Dar earned his Ph.D. in Agronomy and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Cropping Systems at the UF|IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, Florida. His research integrates field experimentation and modeling approaches to enhance the sustainability and profitability of row crop systems, with a primary focus on cotton. Dr. Dar’s work includes evaluating N and K management strategies to optimize yields while reducing nutrient losses, as well as updating fertilizer rate recommendations for cotton in Florida. A major component of his current efforts involves improving the CROPGRO-Cotton model to estimate leaching losses and simulate alternative management practices for Cotton in Florida. Recently, Dar got associated with the research on integration of cash cover crops within cotton–peanut rotations, with an emphasis on system productivity, soil health, and profitability. He is also engaged in harmonizing large datasets to guide the selection of optimal cover crop species for Florida. Beyond research, Dr. Dar contributes to data analysis, authorship of peer-reviewed and extension publications, mentoring graduate students, facilitating lab meetings, and developing competitive grant proposals.

Alejandra Sierra earned her Ph.D. in Horticulture and is currently a Postdoctoral Associate in Turfgrass Science at the UF|IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, Florida. Her research focuses on advancing sustainable turfgrass management through projects such as mixed-species evaluations for photovoltaic facilities, germplasm trials in coordination with turfgrass breeders to assess newly developed cultivars, the evaluation of novel products aimed at improving turfgrass performance and resource-use efficiency, and studies on turfgrass culture and management practices. In addition to research, she plays an active role in extension by presenting at statewide and national events and developing extension publications to deliver science-based information to turfgrass professionals and stakeholders. She also contributes to interdisciplinary turfgrass projects and is engaged in securing extramural funding to support the continued growth of UF’s turfgrass research and extension programs.