Dr. Panicker to Represent Mississippi in the American Society for Horticultural Science Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 19, 2015

Alcorn State University Director of Conservation Research, Dr. Girish K.S. Panicker.

The largest horticulture society in North America, the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), with members in more than 100 countries has appointed Alcorn State University Director of Conservation Research, Dr. Girish K.S. Panicker, to represent the Society in the state of Mississippi. Dr. Panicker will work as a contact person for ASHS to share information about the association with scientists, farmers, and students in the Alcorn State community.

The Society offers a free service to high school and university students to enlighten them on the importance of horticultural science (plant and soil science) in their professional and personal life. Horticulture deals with the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts and ornamentals. One of the major objectives of the organization is to increase enrollment in the field of horticultural science at land-grant universities across the state.

Being a member of both the American Society for Horticultural Science and the International Society of Horticultural Science (ISHS), which has members in 156 countries, Panicker will have several of his speeches delivered at international conferences for the benefit of the world’s community, health, and conservation of soil and water on horticultural lands.

“Membership in the ASHS and ISHS helps globally market Alcorn at their annual and international conferences. In 2014, at the ISHS’ 29th International Horticultural Congress held in Brisbane, Australia, I delivered a speech on the muscadine research with forest and animal waste undertaken at Alcorn,” Panicker said. “Another benefit is an opportunity for students of land-grant universities in Mississippi to become student members and get an access to scholarships and internships through both societies.”

The relationship between the university and the ASHS is aimed at increasing the Society’s membership and enrollment at the land-grant institutions in the state, as well as highlighting the importance of escalating the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and floriculture industries for the state’s economic development.

Dr. Panicker also expressed, “Fruits and nuts are the only foods humans can eat without cooking; these horticultural foods help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Increased production of fruits, nuts and vegetables means increased consumption of these crops and in due course, it will help alleviate obesity and related problems in Mississippi.”

For more information on Dr. Panicker’s representation and about the organization, contact at panicker@alcorn.edu , call (601) 877-6598 or visit www.ASHS.org .