Faculty Under the Limelight

New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard

Dr. Heather Kirk-Ballard joined the Department of Horticulture in August 2024 as an Assistant Professor with a research emphasis on Sustainable Urban Landscapes. She is a horticulturist, educator, and Extension specialist passionate about sustainable urban landscapes and connecting people with plants. Originally from Louisiana, she now serves as a faculty member in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia, where she works to promote greener communities and inspire environmental stewardship through research, outreach, and education.

Beyond her professional life, Heather is deeply connected to the outdoors and to her family. She and her husband love exploring state and national parks with their two adventurous daughters and two energetic dogs. Whether hiking, kayaking, or simply soaking in the beauty of the natural world, time outdoors is their family’s favorite way to reconnect and recharge. At home and at work, Heather’s love for plants and people shines through. She believes that even small actions, like composting kitchen scraps or planting native species and more trees, can lead to powerful, lasting change for our environment and communities.

New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Lav Yadav

Dr. Lav Yadav joined the Department of Horticulture in October 2024 as an Assistant Professor with a research emphasis on Ornamental Horticulture and Bioinformatics. He completed his Ph.D. in Horticulture with a graduate-level Bioinformatics certification at University of Georgia, Athens; he completed an M.S. in Plant Biotechnology at West Virginia State University. Lastly, he earned his B.Sc in Agriculture with a major in Plant Breeding at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science in Nepal. His overall research focuses on trait improvement of ornamental species, integrating genomics strategies to select for valuable traits, and working closely with the nursery and greenhouse industries to develop an impactful and integrated research program that bridges the gap between researchers, producers, and consumers. Throughout his career, he has conducted research on a diverse range of ornamental species, including Azalea, Franklinia, Rose, Redbud, Dogwood and Stewartia, addressing varied research inquiries crucial for stakeholders, nurseries, and greenhouse industries. His research has been broadly categorized into three themes: plant breeding and genoomics, conservation of native ornamentals, and bioinformatics.