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Dr. Tom Mueller, University of Tennessee professor of plant sciences. Download this image for print (142 K)

A faculty member in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences has been invited to serve as a member of the EPA Science Advisory Board's committee for Ecological Processes and Effects. Dr. Tom Mueller, a professor specializing in weed science, will serve on the committee through September 2006.

Mueller's research involves weed control in soybeans and corn and the environmental fate of herbicides. As an SAB committee member, Mueller's knowledge and scientific and technical expertise will assist the EPA in developing prudent, effective environmental protection, including safeguarding public health and protecting the country's air, water and land.

Mueller received his Ph.D. in 1990 from the University of Georgia, his M.S. in 1987 from the University of Kentucky, and his B.S. in 1983 from the University of Illinois. He grew up on a small grain farm in rural Illinois, where his family farm produced corn, soybeans, and wheat. He joined the University of Tennessee in 1991 as an assistant professor.

Dr. Mueller was recognized with the Outstanding Young Scientist Award by the Weed Science Society of America in 2000. His work is published in more than 50 refereed journal articles, 135 abstracts, and 40 research reports. He teaches weed management from an applied and theoretical perspective and
contributes to a team-taught course examining plant pathway reactions at the molecular, tissue, organelle, and whole plant levels. Mueller also coaches the university's graduate-level weed science team, which annually competes in the Southern Weed Science Society Field Methods contest.

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Contacts: Dr. Tom Mueller, 865-974-7324; Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141