Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) announced Dr. Shani Golovay, of Greenville, as Research Manager on May 10.
A native of Pocahontas, Illinois, in Bond County, Golovay brings to NREC a wide breadth of experience in agriculture and academia. She has held teaching and research positions at several different Institutions as well as working as a Research Manager for Monsanto. She also served as Grants Manager for the University of Florida’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program where she facilitated grant work across 13 southern state’s land grand institutions and worked to encourage collaboration among the universities and to network researchers doing similar work. She received her BS from the University of Illinois in Agronomy, her MS from Mississippi State University in Biotechnology/Cotton Physiology and her PhD from Mississippi State University in Biochemistry/Soil and Environmental Fate of Herbicides.
“Shani’s experience, particularly in research coordination and the ability to drive collaboration, made her the ideal candidate for this role,” said Jeff Kirwan, Chairman of NREC. “One of NREC’s primary charges is to pursue nutrient research practices that optimize nutrient use efficiency, ensure soil fertility and address environmental concerns regarding fertilizer use. Shani’s technical expertise and her classroom teaching experience will help take the research that we have funded to the next level by transferring the knowledge into real-world applications and in a format that farmers and retailers can use in their daily operations.”
Golovay will provide technical agronomic expertise to the NREC Council and committees in the development and implementation of effective research projects and the dissemination of research results. She will also provide leadership on developing strategic research priorities that align with the overall goals of the organization and promote nutrient efficiency and stewardship.
“I’m very excited to serve as a bridge between growers/retailers and researchers,” Golovay said. “The work of NREC is incredibly valuable to the industry and I look forward to working with the Council and our stakeholders to identify research priorities and then translate the results into actionable messages that will move the needle on nutrient efficiency.”
