Hector E. Perez

Associate Professor

Environmental Horticulture Dept.
University of Florida
Rm. 103 Bldg. 550, PO Box 110675
Gainesville FL 32611-0675

Phone: (352) 273-4503
Fax: (352) 392-1413
E-mail: heperez@ufl.edu

Professional Background

Education

Ph.D. Horticulture (Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology Specialization) (Univ. Hawaii), 2006
M.S. Environmental Horticulture (University of Florida), 2001
B.S. Management/Entrepreneurship (Florida Atlantic University), 1994

Teaching and Research

Hector Perez has a 60% teaching and 40% research assignment. He teaches Plant Propagation (PLS 3221/L; HOS5222C); Environmental Plant Identification and Use (ORH 3513C; HOS 5115); and is co-developing a graduate level course in Plant Materials for Conservation and Restoration. Hector also acts as the Environmental Horticulture Club advisor. Hector guides students to an understanding of concepts and proficiency in applications through active and inquiry-based lessons. Lessons developed for any course are student-focused rather than teacher-centered. In this regard, students are not passively receiving information, but are required to openly practice their thinking.

Research in the lab focuses on developmental physiology of seeds; germination ecology; and macro-propagation. Rationales for the research program include: understanding how germplasm may be stored and propagated more effectively for restoration purposes and the development of seed technology for the wildflower industry. We work with native and endangered plants from various ecosystems. Hector is one of the founding members of the Plant Restoration and Conservation Horticulture (PRCH) research consortium. Members of PRCH work collaboratively to research the applications of horticultural technologies to conserve and restore plant diversity in ecosystems.

Research Projects

Developing A Web-Based Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Ecological Restoration (2007-10; $500,000; Co-PI; USDA-CREES-HEC)
Establishing Provenance, Viability-Testing Standards, and Enhanced Germination for Seed Production of Wiregrass in Florida (2007-08; $49,650; PI; Florida Wildflower Foundation)
Long-term Educational Wildflower Meadow (2007-08; $24,357; PI; Florida Wildflower Foundation)
Propagation, Production, and Landscape Evaluation of Native Wildflowers in West, Central, and South Florida (2007-08; $36,298; Co-PI; Florida Wildflower Foundation)
Overcoming Dormancy Mechanisms and Promoting Germination of Florida Native Wildflowers Useful for Roadside and Urban Planting (2006-07, $31,060, Florida Wildflower Foundation)
Implications of Embryo Desiccation Tolerance, Seed Dormancy and Seed Damage for
Conservation of Pritchardia Palms Endemic to Hawaii (2001-2006)

Graduate Student Supervisory Committees

Alison Heather MS (Chair, current)
Julie Sorenson MS-NT (Member, current)
Tim Johnson PhD (Member, current)
Dan Steever MS-NT (Member, graduation DEC 06)

Selected Pubs

Pérez, H.E., Almira, F. and M. Brennan. (2009). Germination timing and dormancy break in seeds of summer farewell (Dalea pinnata, Fabaceae). Ecological Restoration 27: 160-168.
Pérez, H.E., Shiels, A.B., Zaleski, H.M. and D.R. Drake. (2008). Germination after simulated rat damage in seeds of two endemic Hawaiian palm species. Journal of Tropical Ecology 24: 555-558.
Pérez, H.E., Criley, R.A. and C.C. Baskin. (2008). Promoting germination in dormant seeds of Pritchardia remota (Kuntze) Beck., an endangered palm endemic to Hawaii. Natural Areas Journal 28: 251-260.
Pérez, H.E. (2005). Rapid Excision of Pritchardia Embryos. PALMS 49: 36-39.
Dehgan, B.D. and H.E. Pérez (2005). Preliminary Study Shows Germination of Caribbean Applecactus (Harrisia fragrans) Improved with Acid Scarification and Gibberellic Acid. Native Plants Journal Spring: 91-96
Dehgan, B., J.G. Norcini, S.M. Kabat, and H.E. Perez (2003). Effect of Seed Scarification and Gibberellic Acid Treatment on Seedling Emergence of Sky-blue Lupine (Lupinus diffusus). Journal of Environmental Horticulture 21: 64-67.