Rolston St. Hilaire

Image of Rolston St. Hilaire

Title: Regents Professor Emeritus and former Department Head of Plant and Environmental Sciences

Research Area: landscape and ornamental horticulture, environmental stress physiology, molecular ecophysiology

Education:

  • Ph.D., Horticulture, Iowa State University, 1998

  • M.S., Horticulture, M.S., Horticulturem 1994

  • B.S. (Magna cum laude), Horticulture, University of Puerto Rico, 1992

  • Diploma (Honors), Agriculture, Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (E.C.I.A.F.), Trinidad, 1985

Professional Experience:

  • 2016 (June 15) – Present: Department Head, PES, NMSU, 15% teaching, 75% Administration and 10% research
  • 2015 (July 1) - 2016 (June 15): Interim Department Head, PES, NMSU, 25% teaching, 65% administration and 10% research.
  • 2014 - 2015: Assistant Department Head, PES, 50% teaching, 25% administration and 25% Research.
  • 2008 - Present: Professor, PES.
  • 2004 - 2008: Associate Professor, PES (formerly Agronomy and Horticulture).
  • 1998 - 2004: Assistant Professor, Agronomy and Horticulture, NMSU. Initial appointment: 32% teaching and 68% research.
  • 1994 - 1998: Research Assistant, Iowa State University. Evaluated the ecophysiology and genetic diversity of hard maples indigenous to eastern North America.
  • 1992 - 1994: Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, Department of Agricultural Mechanization, University of Puerto Rico.

Membership in Professional Organizations and Academic Honor Societies

  • Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta

  • American Society for Horticultural Science

  • American Society of Plant Biologists

  • American Society of Landscape Architects (full member)

Awards and Honors:

  • 2008 Texas Environmental Excellence Award in Agriculture. Group Award-Presented to researchers in the Rio Grande Basin Initiative Program. Selected as spokesperson to present case before Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

  • 2008 Distinguished Research Award, College of Agriculture, NMSU

  • 2007 Faculty Appreciation Award, Plant and Environmental Sciences, NMSU.

  • 2006 Distinguished Award for Graduate Teaching/Advisement, Gamma Sigma Delta.

  • 2006 Leadership and Dedication Award, Planning Committee of the 1st symposium on efficient water use in the urban environment.

  • 2005 Faculty Team Research Award, College of Agriculture, NMSU.

  • 2002 Distinguished Teaching Award, College of Agriculture, NMSU.

  • 2002 Honorary Degree, New Mexico Future Farmers of America.

  • 2001 Patricia Christmore Faculty Teaching Award, a university-wide award for junior faculty excellence in Teaching, NMSU.

  • 1997 Campus Leadership Award, Iowa State University.

Academic Distinctions:

  • 1992 Ralph S. Garwood Award -Top of the class-University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez.

  • 1988 Selected for a Caribbean Scholarship Award (B.S. and M.S.).

  • 1985 Proficiency Award in Farm Practicals and Caroni Prize, ECIAF.

  • 1984 Agricultural Development Bank Prize, Federation Chemicals Prize, Director's Prize, Barbados General Agricultural Society Prize and Student of the Year Award (ECIAF).

  • 1983 Canadian International Development Agency Full Scholarship to ECIAF.