EAST LANSING, MI — Michigan State University Extension is proud to announce that Roberto G. Lopez, PhD, associate professor and controlled environment/floriculture Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University (MSU), has been named the 2025 Outstanding Extension Educator by the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS).
“I was honored when I learned that my MSU colleagues nominated me for the ASHS Extension award as I only have a 25% extension appointment and I was even more honored when I received notification that I was the 2025 recipient. A big thank you to everyone that wrote letters of support and who have helped us build the e-GRO Extension platform,” Lopez said.
This prestigious award, established in 1985, honors educators who have made significant and valuable contributions to horticultural extension education for 10 or more years. Lopez was formally recognized at the ASHS Annual Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana, following a rigorous selection process by the ASHS Awards Committee.
According to the ASHS, “The ASHS Outstanding Extension Educator Award recognizes educators who, over a decade or more, drive impactful change and leadership in horticultural extension.”
“Dr. Lopez’s leadership with the controlled environment and floriculture industry translates research results into relevant and implementable action that benefits growers and the industry,” Jeannine Schweihofer, associate director of agriculture and agribusiness programming at MSU Extension, said. “Roberto’s Extension efforts and educational initiatives, including the e-GRO platform, are commendable and evident by the peer recognition of this prestigious award.”
Since joining MSU in 2016, Lopez has contributed significantly as a specialist in controlled-environment and floriculture agriculture. His work investigates how environmental factors in controlled environments, such as greenhouses, growth rooms, warehouse-based plant factories and vertical farms, influence the propagation, quality, timing and sustainability of specialty crops, including floriculture, strawberries, leafy greens and herbs.
Lopez’s innovative research on energy-efficient lighting (especially LEDs), temperature and CO₂ management has led to enhanced crop quality and production efficiency, benefiting both growers and industry stakeholders. He also teaches undergraduate courses in Greenhouse Structures and Management, Hydroponic Food Production, and Floriculture Crop Production, preparing the next generation of horticultural professionals.
Beyond the classroom, Lopez has extended his impact through outreach initiatives such as the Electronic Grower Resources Online (e-GRO) platform, developed in collaboration with Extension specialists and educators from other universities, which has delivered research-based production advice to over 4,800 greenhouse growers in over 130 countries.
“It is great to see Roberto receiving the national recognition he and his program deserve,” Vance Baird, professor and chairperson of the MSU Department of Horticulture, said. “His scholarly outreach to the greenhouse/controlled environment industry, both digitally archived and in-person, is grounded in the high-quality applied science approach he utilizes when addressing stakeholder needs. In turn, this integration of research and outreach informs the learning experiences he provides our students in the classroom.”
The Outstanding Extension Educator Award is a testament to exceptionally impactful and sustained Extension efforts, highlighting leadership, innovation and tangible benefits to the horticultural sector. Recipients are honored with a plaque at the annual conference and featured in society communications and scientific publications.
MSU Extension and the Department of Horticulture at MSU congratulate Lopez on this well-deserved recognition. His blend of research excellence, educational commitment and outreach leadership exemplifies MSU’s land-grant mission of translating science into real-world impact.
The American Society for Horticultural Science honors professionals for notable achievements across research, teaching and extension in horticulture. Its Professional Career Awards, including the Outstanding Extension Educator category, recognize major long-term contributions and are presented during the ASHS Annual Conference and related publications.
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