Rob leads the research enterprise at UF/IFAS, supporting faculty in Gainesville and at our research and education centers who address challenges facing agriculture, natural resources and human systems. He spent 7 years on cropping systems research in Africa before joining UF as a sugarcane agronomist in 2000.

Jeanna Mastrodicasa leads UF/IFAS Operations with Associate Director Amanda Burkett to improve operational systems and processes for IFAS. Jeanna also supervises Communications, Human Resources, Facilities Planning and Operations, Information Technology, and the Office of Conference and Institutes in UF/IFAS.

Elaine has responsibility and oversight for anything related to students and teaching. She is a tenured Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition and a handbell musician.

Andra leads the UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Cooperative Extension. He is responsible for advancing extension and ensuring that research-based information is made accessible to all Floridians.

Dr. Zimmel is the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. She is a graduate of UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a specialist in Equine Internal Medicine.

Gbola is the Director of the Global Food Systems Institute, which supports faculty engagement in global research, teaching and Extension.  He is a professor in the animal sciences department.

Melissa has been employed with UF since 2003 and currently leads the UF/IFAS Human Resources team. She has served in similar roles beginning at UF HR, College of Dentistry and UF Advancement. Melissa is a Gator grad and avid sports fan, so you’ll find her at various Gator fields throughout the year.

Cody leads the UF/IFAS Office of Advancement, focusing on major and principal gifts. He is a graduate of UF’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and has worked for UF in the field of advancement since receiving his degree in 2000.

Chris leads the UF/IFAS Communications team, specializing in communications strategy. She is a graduate of UF’s College of Journalism and Communications and sings with the Gainesville Master Chorale.

Bio coming soon!

Mary Ann educates state and federal legislators about UF/IFAS while also monitoring and affecting legislation and liaising with IFAS stakeholders. She grew up in the cattle industry in Lorida, Florida.

Benita creates and leads strategies to widen access, deepen experiences and welcome all students, staff and faculty to thrive within the UF/IFAS community. She is a triple gator devoted to developing people and the communities, competencies and connections that make them great.

Andrew leads the IFAS Information Technology team, and focuses on ensuring that IFAS faculty, staff and students have access to the IT tools they need to fulfill the IFAS mission. Since starting at UF in 2004, Andrew has held various IT roles in Business Affairs, UFIT, and the IFAS Information Technology Server Administration and Helpdesk Teams.  In his free time, Andrew enjoys traveling and being outdoors with his family.

Chris is a communications strategist who helps the senior vice president find his voice as communicator-in-chief. He is a graduate of Georgetown University. He once spent a summer going to games in every Major League Baseball park.

Goldie is the assistant to the senior associate vice president for UF/IFAS. Goldie has had the pleasure of serving eight senior vice presidents in her over 30 years with UF/IFAS.  Goldie loves the water and spends considerable time with her four grandsons in St. Petersburg.