Dr. Mary Lusk
Assistant Professor of Soil and Water Sciences
Dr. Mary Lusk’s research focuses on developing research-based and stakeholder relevant programs that help Floridians enhance and protect our state’s water quality, quantity and supply. She works to ensure that Florida residents, homeowners, urban landscaper managers, city and county officials, and others have the knowledge they need to make sound decisions about water use and water supply management.
Lusk Soil and Water Science Lab
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Research
Dr. Mary Lusk’s research focuses on developing research-based and stakeholder relevant programs that help Floridians enhance and protect our state’s water quality, quantity and supply. She works to ensure that Florida residents, homeowners, urban landscaper managers, city and county officials, and others have the knowledge they need to make sound decisions about water use and water supply management.
Dr. Lusk’s Program Focus Areas:
- Urban water quality, stormwater, and low impact development for urban areas
- Urban fertilizer ordinances
- Pathogens in water bodies
- Onsite wastewater treatment (septic systems)
- Urban agriculture
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Extension
- Water conservation. Even with our abundant summer rainfall, water shortages are not uncommon in Florida. My Extension programs aim to educate Florida citizens about water conservation, alternative water supplies, and water use efficiency. My statewide goals in this area are to
- Reduce water use in the landscape
- Increase urban irrigation efficiency
- Increase the beneficial reuse of reclaimed water
- Urban water quality. By 2030, Florida will need an additional 1.3 billion gallons per day of fresh water to keep up with state population growth trends. Much of this water will be used by an increasingly urban population. My Extension goals in this area are to develop educational programs that will
- Reduce nonpoint source pollution from urban sources
- Increase participation in Florida Friendly Landscaping programs
- Give Green Industry Professionals and Builders/Developers the science-based tools they need to make sustainable actions at the sites where they work
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Lab Team
Lab Phone Number: 813-419-6581 Staff Member Contact Information Madlyn Alberts, OPS Tech Dylan Barr, OPS Tech dylan.barr@ufl.edu Tiffany Bainbridge, OPS Tech Paula Sanchez, Grad Student Amanda Muni-Morgan, Grad Student a.munimorgan@ufl.edu Gina Rappleyea, OPS Tech Isabella Wehner, OPS Tech
Contact
Rm. 129
Soil and Water Science
University of Florida/IFAS
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
813-419-6586
mary.lusk@ufl.edu
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Education
Education:
- 2015 Ph.D. Soil and Water Science, University of Florida
- 1998 M.S. Crop and Soil Environmental Science, Virginia Tech
- 1994 B.S. Agronomy and Horticulture, Brigham Young University
- Publications
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Professional Service and Awards