Kaylee South, Ph.D.

Dr. Kaylee South is an Assistant Professor from Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences based in Danville at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). Dr. South joined as a member of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Innovation Center at the end of 2021. Her research is on the improvement of crop performance in indoor vertical farms and greenhouses and specializes in using beneficial microbes to improve overall crop health and quality. Dr. South also holds an extension appointment where she will collaborate with the Virginia controlled environment agriculture industry to identify and solve problems, as well as share research-based information through various avenues. In her role, Dr. South will advise graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Her past research experience includes improving greenhouse production of floriculture crops through the application of beneficial bacteria for both biocontrol of plant pathogens and improving nutrient uptake. Before her role at Virginia Tech, she completed a B.S. in Horticulture at the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University.