April Ulery has dedicated nearly 30 years to NMSU as an educator, mentor, and researcher. Ulery, a professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, was honored earlier this month for her career achievements with the Dennis W. Darnall Faculty Achievement Award, one of NMSU’s top faculty awards. The award is named after a former professor in chemistry who was a remarkable researcher, teacher, and administrator.
Ulery teaches and conducts research in soil salinity, soil health and environmental soil chemistry. Her research has produced more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and secured more than $4 million in competitive grants and contracts.
“Whether the function of the soil is crop production or recycling of wastes, I am interested in quantifying soil properties, including salinity, nutrient status, contaminant concentrations, and other physical and chemical characteristics that will help define soil quality as well as plant-soil interactions,” Ulery said. “One of my areas of focus has been bioenergy crop yields when grown under saline conditions, potentially an increasing problem in New Mexico soils as our water resources face competition with urban development.”
Ulery is known for her commitment to mentoring students and making complex scientific concepts accessible. Her students conduct research in phytoremediation and the analysis of soil, plants and water across New Mexico. Ulery supports outreach efforts across NMSU, advises two student organizations, and served as president of the Soil Science Society of America. She has served on more than 65 graduate committees.