A New Director for the GTI

Dr. Katerina Jordan, an experienced plant researcher committed to providing leading research and education services in turfgrass science, has been name the new director of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) at the University of Guelph. Dr. Katerina Jordan is an associate professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, where she has been conducting turfgrass research since 2005.

Jordan completed a PhD at the University of Rhode Island with a focus on turfgrass nematodes, and a master of science at the University of Maryland on gray leaf spot of corn. She has studied thatch management, alternative weed control, soil loss in sod production and plant-parasitic nematodes. More recently, she has expanded her program to look at root pathogens in turf and a variety of other horticultural plants.  

She has taught courses in turfgrass insects, biological control of plant diseases, research methods and statistics, plant disease epidemiology, and integrated pest management to certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and graduate students.  Her primary service to the turfgrass industry is managing the GTI Diagnostic Clinic. 

"With the increased urbanization of so many areas in Ontario, the need for more green space is critical now more than ever," said Jordan.  

"Being involved in research on the most sustainable way to establish and maintain turfgrass for a variety of functions and to direct an institute that can help bridge the gap between researchers, the government, and the public is a wonderful opportunity that I am very excited to have." 

As the director of the GTI, Jordan will continue studies on the sustainable management of turfgrass pests, teaching best practices to turfgrass managers, and sustaining the relationships with partners in all sectors of the turfgrass industry.  

Jordan began the new role on May 1. Previous GTI director Dr. Eric Lyons has taken the interim position of acting associate dean, research and graduate studies at the Ontario Agricultural College.