Our Team
Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.
Dr. Brosnan is a Professor in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee (UT) and Director of their Weed Diagnostics Center. His research focuses on effective and economical strategies for controlling turfgrass weeds, particularly those evolving resistance to herbicides. Efforts have led to numerous peer-reviewed journal publications, as well as conference presentations around the globe. His extension programs aim to provide education and diagnostic support to Tennessee’s $5.8 billion turfgrass industry.
Dr. Brosnan serves as an advisor to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association and is actively involved in the Weed Science Society of America, Southern Weed Science Society, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and Sports Turf Managers Association. He has consulted at multiple venues on the PGA Tour (including several major championship host sites) in addition to National Football League franchises.
Dr. Brosnan received a B.S. in turfgrass science from Penn State University, an M.S. in plant, soil, and insect sciences (turfgrass) from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Ph.D. in agronomy (turfgrass) from Penn State University. An abbreviated version of his curriculum vitae can be found here
Greg Breeden, M.S.
Greg has been working in weed science at the University of Tennessee since June 1996 in a diversity of settings including row crops, pastures, and turfgrass. Currently, he is responsible for managing all of the turfgrass weed science field research projects at the University of Tennessee under the direction of Dr. Jim Brosnan. Greg is also instrumental in the development of new turfgrass weed science extension/educational materials at the University of Tennessee. He received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Plant and Soil Science (Weed Science) from the University of Tennessee.
José Javier Vargas, M.S.
José is a research associate responsible for all greenhouse and laboratory research projects conducted within the turfgrass weed science program at the University of Tennessee under the direction of Dr. Jim Brosnan. José currently serves as the head diagnostician at the Weed Diagnostics Center.
José received his B.S. from the University of Puerto Rico in Agronomy and Soil Science. He participated in a wide array of plant-related research projects during his undergraduate studies, including examining native and exotic dominant forest structure, water quality analyses of wetlands in Puerto Rico, forage quality and nutrient management, ganoderma and pleurotus mushroom production, organic horticulture and postharvest physiology. He recently earned a M.S. in Plant Sciences with emphasis on Weed Science under the tutelage of Dr. Brosnan.
Graduate Students
Ben Pritchard
Ben is a Ph.D. student in the Plant Sciences Department studying turfgrass weed science. Originally from Bluff City, TN, Ben has a B.S. and M.S. in Plant Sciences from the University of Tennessee and was recognized with two prestigious Chancellor's Honors during his time as an undergraduate student: Extraordinary Academic Achievement and Extraordinary Professional Promise. His research aims to better understand the environmental fate of herbicides used to control troublesome turfgrass weeds, particularly biotypes of Poa annua that have evolved herbicide resistance.
Maureen Kahiu
Maureen Kahiu is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Plant Sciences, studying turfgrass weed science. She hails from Nairobi, Kenya where she served the golf industry as an intern, assistant superintendent, and eventually a golf course superintendent. Additionally, Maureen holds a Master’s degree in Agronomy from Penn State, where she focused on the use of demethylation inhibitor fungicides in turfgrass management. Her dissertation research at the University of Tennessee will explore effects of organic matter accumulation on putting green management.
Logan Smith
Logan Smith is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Plant Sciences, studying turfgrass weed science. Originally from Munford, Alabama, Logan received a B.S. in Crop, Soil, & Environmental Science from Auburn University. In addition, he received a Master's degree in Integrative Plant Science from Cornell University. His dissertation research at the University of Tennessee will investigate effects of preemergence herbicide use on hybrid bermudagrass suscepibitlity to root pathogens.