TTU’S Branson receives Distinguished Alumnus Award from UT soil sciences
The award was presented Monday evening in Knoxville. Department head Eric Drumm said the award is presented to a soil scientist every other year. Next year, a biosystems engineer award will be honored.
“Dr. Branson is the epitome of a caring, professional faculty member. Obviously well respected in her field, she is also the consummate advisor and mentor to our students. She provides an excellent example for our students seeking careers in the agriculture industry,” said Billye Foster, director of TTU’s School of Agriculture within the College of Agricultural and Human Sciences.
Branson, who has taught soil science at TTU since 2003, is engaged in research on carbon sequestration in composted organic vegetable plots and childhood obesity prevention through nutrition education and hydroponic gardening. This fall, she begins a new project in experiential learning involving hydroponics, high tunnel greenhouse and organic crop production systems.
Some of her past research includes investigation of subsurface hydrologic flow on phosphorus translocation. She received the E.B. Knight Journal Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture in 2008.
Branson earned her doctorate from UT in 1998 with an emphasis in pedology and under the direction of UT professor Tom Ammons, who also taught at TTU in the early 1980s.
