Michael Oneill
Professor
Plant and Environmental Sciences
New Mexico State University
Mexico
Biography
Professor – Plant and Environmental Sciences José Fernández Memorial Chair for Crop Production – Emeritus Career interests and profile Agronomy, agroforestry, crop physiology, crop introduction, biofuel research, small-scale irrigation, natural resources management for the semi-arid regions. Collaborative links with international agricultural research institutes, universities, development organizations, agribusiness and/or consulting firms. Research encompass the judicious use of water through microirrigation in semi-arid environments; hybrid poplar introductions for excelsior and biofuel production; variety trials for state and national testing programs, including oil seed crops for biodiesel development. Superintendent with overall responsibility for management of a 250-acre agricultural research facility situated in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico. Over 20 years of international agricultural research and development experience, primarily in Africa (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Kenya, Rwanda), and India. Team leader for three projects in the coffee-based land use system of Embu, Kenya including the National Agroforestry Research Project (NAFRP), the African Highlands Initiative (AHI), and the Systemwide Livestock Project (SLP). Senior Agronomist in Kenya and Niger leading research and dissemination efforts in mixed, small-holder farming systems. Designed, implemented and analyzed irrigated and dryland agronomic trials in semi-arid Arizona and Sahelian West Africa;
Research Interest
Agronomy, Agroforestry, Biofuels, Hybrid Poplar, Oilseeds