OpenFieldUA Cooperative Extension · Tucson, Arizona, United States
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, operated through the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES) at the University of Arizona, brings cutting-edge scientific research directly to Arizona's rural and urban communities. Spanning all 15 Arizona counties and five tribal nations, UA Extension spearheads global advancements in desert crop genetics, Colorado River water conservation, controlled environment agriculture, and heat resilience.
Tucson · Statewide Agricultural Innovation, Arid Lands Hydrology & Climate Resilience. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, operated through the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES) at the University of Arizona, brings cutting-edge scientific research directly to Arizona's rural and urban communities. Spanning all 15 Arizona counties and five tribal nations, UA Extension spearheads global advancements in desert crop genetics, Colorado River water conservation, controlled environment agriculture, and heat resilience.
Graduate degrees and funded extension fellowships administered via UA Graduate College and CALES departments (Biosystems Engineering, Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Science). TOEFL iBT 79+ or IELTS Academic 7.0+ for international graduate applicants. Fall semester priority funding deadline January 15, 2027; Spring deadline September 1, 2026; Extension field internships accepted on rolling schedule.
Interdisciplinary doctoral program investigating transboundary water management, drought adaptation policies, and satellite-based evapotranspiration monitoring across the American Southwest.
Rigorous applied economics master's analyzing agricultural water rights pricing, crop insurance risk under climate volatility, and econometric modeling of desert agricultural production.
Investigating native pollinator conservation, desert whitefly and aphid pest genetics, and non-chemical biological control agents in cotton and citrus farming ecosystems.
Conducting world-renowned engineering research at the UA CEAC (Controlled Environment Agriculture Center) on automated LED spectrum tuning, hydroponic nutrient circulation, and closed-loop greenhouse cooling.
Investigating soil salinization mitigation, mineral bioavailability in alkaline soils, and heavy metal remediation around arid mining landscapes across southern Arizona.
Utilizing Google Earth Engine, MODIS/Landsat remote sensing imagery, and predictive machine learning algorithms to build real-time drought warning systems for Arizona ranchers and irrigation districts.
Professor of Environmental Science and Agronomy Specialist
Department of Environmental Science
Dr. Jeffrey Silvertooth has served as Associate Dean and Director of UA Cooperative Extension, conducting fundamental research in soil fertility, arid crop ecol...
View researcher profile ↗Director of Controlled Environment Agriculture Center and Professor of Biosystems Engineering
Department of Biosystems Engineering
Dr. Murat Kacira is a global pioneer in controlled environment agriculture, investigating greenhouse climate automation, crop sensing, and resource-efficient fo...
View researcher profile ↗Director of Water Resources Research Center and Professor of Environmental Science
Water Resources Research Center
Dr. Sharon Megdal is an internationally recognized expert in water policy, transboundary aquifer assessment, groundwater recharge, and Colorado River basin gove...
View researcher profile ↗OpenField is an independent research platform not officially affiliated with University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Information reflects public documentation reviewed on 2026-10-16. Students must verify application deadlines, fee structures, and prerequisite details directly with official university admissions departments before applying.
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