Gemstone Director
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Dr. Frank J. Coale |
Introduction
Dr. Frank J. Coale’s career-long contributions in research, Extension education, teaching and service have been keenly focused and have had a lasting impact on better management of our agricultural ecosystems. His work has resulted in positive changes in agricultural best management practices, environmental preservation, policy development and citizen understanding. He has provided significant and lasting leadership in his roles as an academic department chair and through service in numerous professional organizations. Dr. Coale has exhibited a steadfast commitment to understanding the relationships between agricultural production and the wellbeing of the surrounding ecosystem. He has excelled in transferring that understanding into implementable on-farm management practices and development of science-based public policies.
Professional Positions Held:
Professor and Agricultural Nutrient Management Specialist (2002–present), Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Director, Gemstone Program (2012–present), Honors College, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Department Chair (2006 – 2011), Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Department Chair (2005-2006), Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Associate Professor and Soil Fertility/Nutrient Management Specialist (1993–2002), University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Assistant Professor (1986-1991) and Associate Professor of Agronomy (1991–1993), Extension Agronomist, University of Florida, Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade, FL.
Research Interest
Dr. Coale has established an investigative focus on soil phosphorus dynamics and the inter-relationships among agronomic production practices and phosphorus over-enrichment of surface water resources. His studies of the impacts of agronomic production practices on phosphorus transport to threatened water resources has resulted in changes in farm management, has influenced and guided public policy development, and has provided the scientific underpinnings essential for crafting reasonable mandated regulations.
Extension Education Program
Dr. Frank Coale provides technical training for professionals and practitioners within the University of Maryland Extension system, numerous public agencies, the agricultural industry and environmental preservation groups. Since 1993, Dr. Coale has taught over 300 professional technical training sessions and provided educational programs to the general citizenry at over 180 public events. Additionally, Dr. Coale has served on numerous technical advisory committees to local, state and federal agencies including USDA, USEPA, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and the Maryland Governor’s Office.
Teaching
Dr. Coale also has contributed substantially in the area of formal classroom teaching and student education. At the University of Maryland, Dr. Coale has taught four different courses, multiple times, over the past 19 years. He has served as the faculty mentor to an undergraduate research team in the University’s Gemstone Program and was awarded the Outstanding Gemstone Mentor Award in 2006, while his senior advisees won the Outstanding Team Thesis Award. Dr. Coale has been actively engaged in graduate student advising and has served on 17 MS advisory committees, 6 as major professor/research director, and 12 PhD advisory committees, 1 as major professor/research director.
Selected Honors and Awards
University of Maryland Alumni Association, Excellence in Extension Award, 1998.
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Recognition Award, 1999.
American Society of Agronomy, Northeast Branch, Agway Award, 1999.
State of Maryland, Governor’s Proclamation, Governor Parris N. Glendening, 2000.
American Society of Agronomy, Northeast Branch, Extension/Industry Award, 2001.
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Secretary’s Group Honor Award for Excellence, 2003.
U. S. Department of Agriculture. Award for Superior Technology Transfer Achievement, 2003.
State of Maryland, Governor’s Proclamation, Governor Martin O’Malley, 2009.
University of Maryland Center for Teaching Excellence, Departmental Award for Excellence and Innovation in Undergraduate Teaching, 2009.
Fellow, American Society of Agronomy, 2012.
Excellence in Extension Award, Environmental Science & Technology, University of Maryland, 2012.
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