Curriculum Vitae (Synopsis)
Lawrence W. Lass
University of Idaho
Department of Plant, Soil, and Ent. Sciences
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2339
E-mail LWLASS@uidaho.edu
Work 208-885-7629
Education:
B.S. University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1979, (Biology).
M.A. University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1981, (Biology),
Thesis: Some effects of antioxidants on the plant Arabidopsis.
Ph. D. University of Idaho (1991), (Plant Science)
Dissertation: The role of soil pH, soil albedo, nitrogen fertility, and prior crop in improving the reliability of models predicting yield and maturity of sweet corn in south central Idaho.
Post-doctoral Fellow University of Idaho (1992), (Plant Science)
Developer of computer mapping tools and improved detection of weed species with remote sensing. Project manager for U.S.D.A. Yellow Starthistle Control Research Project.
Work and Professional Experiences:
World Wide Web Protected Data Exchange:
Federal, state, and county agencies, land managers and conservation groups are mapping exotic plant species in Idaho. None of these groups are using the same documentation method to record the location of infestations. The Internet offers the best hope of combining the mixed data into a single source and still allow for data import and export from several formats. This project focuses on a case study site to develop "smart" collaborative learning tools for exchanging critical data used in precision agriculture, farm management, and pest distribution on the Internet.
Geographic Information Systems:
Conducted project for developing methods of interfacing computers in land management planning. This research has established a management plan for U.S.D.A. A.P.H.I.S. Common Crupina Eradication Program and U.S.D.A. A.R.S Yellow Starthistle Control Project. This includes intensive work with ARC/Info and Global Positioning Systems. Developer of COUNTYCAD and REGIONCAD. These easy to use mapping tools allow non-cartographers to map natural resources, endangered species, field records and pests on a computer. Software and data sets are sold nationally.
Remote Sensing:
Project leader for using high resolution multispectral images to detect plant species impacting rangeland. This research has resulted in a method of detecting yellow starthistle, St. Johnswort, yellow hawkweed, oxeye daisy, and poison hemlock from digital images. Hyperspectral remote sensing of weeds in crops and rangeland. Detection of early blight in tomatoes with multispectral images.
Field and Greenhouse Experiences related to the position:
Research responsibilities in noxious weed control in pasture and range systems, with additional experiences in weed control in grasses, alfalfa, peas, lentils, sugar beets, beans, potatoes, and rape seed. The noxious weeds include yellow starthistle, spotted knapweed, matgrass, yellow hawkweed, leafy spurge, and common crupina. All research on noxious weeds has helped develop information about weed biology, economical methods of control, and establish techniques to prevent re-invasion.
Studies on the effects of herbicides on seedling grasses and subsequent weed control have provided experience in large data set handling, plot design and establishment, and evaluating control measures. These studies include over 6000 treatments on seedling grasses. My computer programs kept track of data from the time of field measurement to data analysis and progress reports.
Other research projects have helped develop herbicide and other plant growth regulator information for alfalfa, peas, lentils, conifer trees, and winter rape seed for chemical companies.
Teaching:
Laboratory instructor in Cell Biology, Plant Physiology, Plant Taxonomy, and Weed Science. Workshop coordinator for 3 years on using COUNTYCAD and GPS. Guest lecture for Department of Geography, Department of Forestry, and Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences.
Supportive Professional Experiences:
Herbarium worker; sweet corn research; plant tissue culture; animal research, weed science research; cartography; crop production of cereals, peas, lentils, sugar beets, carrots, alfalfa, pasture and range grasses, beans, potatoes, rape seed, wild rice, conifer trees, and sweet corn.
Computer Experience:
Expertise with PC's, mainframes, and others; programming fluent in seven languages and software-fluent with more than 35 packages including Dbase IV, SAS, Arc/Info, Idrisi and several graphics programs; have written and marketed five programs. Own five computers and maintain the hardware and software for 7 others.
Papers and Publications:
Publications include 7 journal articles, 1 symposium, 1 extension publication, 66 progress reports, 12 abstracts, 2 journal articles in progress, 1 book chapter, and 9 citations for work on animal research and cartographic projects.
Selected Journal Publications related to GIS and Remote Sensing.
2. Lass, L.W. and R.H. Callihan. 1993. GPS and GIS for Weed Surveys and Management. Weed Technology. 7:249-254
3. Lass, L.W., H.W. Carson and R.H. Callihan. 1996. Detection of Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitials L. ) and Common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum L.) with High-Resolution Multispectral Digital Imagery. Weed Technology. 10:466-474.
4. Lass, L.W., H.W. Carson and R.H. Callihan 1997. The effect of phenological stage on detectability of yellow hawkweed (Hieracium pratense) and Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucathemum) with remote multispectral imagery. Weed Technology. 11:248-256.
5. Stallings, G.P., D.C. Thill, C. A. Mallory-Smith and L.W. Lass. 1995. Plant Movement and Seed Dispersal of Russian Thistle (Salsola iberica). Weed Science 43:63-69.