Jacob Barney, Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science (PPWS), received the Outstanding Researcher Award at the Northeastern Weed Science Society’s (NEWSS) 69th Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, VA on January 5, 2015.

Dr. Barney and his collaborators have published numerous peer-reviewed papers in journals that include a wide variety of ecology, weed science, bioenergy, and policy/law research. He has been invited to speak around the world and has served as advisor to various industry and government agencies. To date, his research program has been awarded >$1.6M in grants, including two USDA grants.

Dr. Jacob Barney and his graduate student, Larissa Smith, recently received NWSS awards
Dr. Jacob Barney and his graduate student, Larissa Smith, recently received NWSS awards.

Dr. Barney is extremely proud of the students he has mentored. His students have won various awards and grants, including first place undergrad in the Weed Olympics, several top places in the Northeast and Southern Weed Contests, as well as several top places in the NEWSS student paper contest. One of Jacob’s current students, Larissa Smith, received the Robert D. Sweet Outstanding Graduate Student Award at the same NWSS meeting in January.

Barney is very active in NEWSS, WSSA, and several groups at Virginia Tech, including being an Associate Editor for Invasive Plant Science and Management. His current research program includes projects on the evolution of weediness, niche modeling, spatial simulation models, mineland reclamation, invasive plant eradication, and identifying the ecological impact of invaders.

Congratulatlions, Jacob!