Assistant Professor (Horticulture)
- Research and Extension
EDUCATION:
B.S., Horticulture Science, 1992. Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China
M.S., Horticulture Science, 2000. China Agricultural University (Formerly Beijing Agricultural University), Beijing, China
Ph.D., Horticulture Science, 2003. Kansas State University
Graduate Certificate in Entomology. 2003. Kansas State University
EXPERIENCE:
August 1999 – July 2000. KeMei Horticulture Co. Ltd., Beijing , China
July 1992 – July 1997. Beijing Gardening and Landscape Research Institute, Beijing, China
Research Assistant: August 2000 – December 2003, Kansas State University
- Research: plant nutrient physiology; N and P fertilization in integrated pest management (IPM).
- Teaching: Assisted lab sessions of HORT 570 Greenhouse Operations Management, and HORT 625 Floral Crops Production and Handling
Post-doctoral Research Associate: May 2004 – August 2004, University of California, Riverside
- Research 100%: nutrient uptake characteristics of specialty cut flowers and their use as buffer plants to remove excess nitrate from nursery runoff; monitoring before and after effects of the BMPs implemented through Prop 13 Project in nurseries in Los Angeles County.
Assistant Professor: August 2004 – present, Hammond Research Station
- Research 75%: Best Management Practices (BMPs) in landscape care and maintenance to improve the health of landscape ornamentals; nutrient management of perennial and woody landscape plants to enhance fertilization efficiency and reduce nitrate and pesticides runoff; plant selection and evaluation for the low-maintenance landscape; new ornamental evaluation.
- Extension 25%: education programs to demonstration BMPs; to be involved in Master Gardener activities; nursery production consulting.
MAJOR AREAS OF RESEARCH/EXTENSION INTEREST:
My research interests include landscape BMPs (Best Management Practices) and nursery ornamental crop production BMPs. Specifically, my research objective is to develop biologically sound and environmentally friendly nutrient- and pest-management practices, to enhance nursery production and landscape plant quality and reduce runoff of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides into the environment. My extension interest focuses on developing a statewide environmental education program for residents and landscape professionals. Other extension and research activities pertain to nursery production emphasizing resource efficiency and sustainability, plant/pest interactions and introduction/evaluation of new landscape plants.
MEMBERSHIP AND ACTIVITIES IN NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS:
Entomological Society of America (ESA), 2002 - present
American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), 2001 – present
Gamma Sigma Delta, 2000 – present
PUBLICATIONS:
Chen, Y., K.A. Williams, B.K. Harbaugh, and M.B. Bell. 2004. Effects of tissue phosphorus and nitrogen in Impatiens wallerana on western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) population levels and plant damage. HortScience. 39(3): 545-550.
Opit, G., Y. Chen, K. A. Williams, J. Nechols, and D. C. Margolies. 2004. Plant age, fertilization, and biological control affect damage caused by twospotted spider mites on ivy geranium: development of an action threshold. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. (in press).
Chen. Y and K. A. Williams. Quantifying western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) damage on ivy geranium (Pelargonium peltatum L.) with adobe photoshop and scion image software. J. Kans. Entom. Soc. (in press).
Chen, Y. and K.A. Williams. 2003. Tips to track down thrips before they thrive on your spring crops. Greenhouse Business, 2003 9(11):25-26.
Opit, G., D.C. Margolies, J. Nechols, Y. Chen, and K.A. Williams. 2003. Look before you leap – managing twospotted spider mites on ivy geranium. Greenhouse Business, 2003 9(12):25-26.
George Opit, Yan Chen, Jim Nechols, Kimberly A. Williams and David Margolies. 2004. Scouting strategies for troublesome bedding plant pests. GMPro October. 2004.
Chen, Y., J. Nechols, K.A. Williams, G. Opit, and D.C. Margolies. Scouting strategies for the troublesome trio: western flower thrips, whiteflies, and twospotted spider mites, Part I: why and how to scout thrips. GMPro. In review.
Yan Chen. 2005. Book Review for ‘Biodiversity and Pest Management in Agroecosystems’ Authors: Miguel Angel Altieri and Clara Ines Nicholls. Journal of Environmental Quality. March-April 2005.