PULLMAN, Wash. — Ralph P. Cavalieri has been named associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics and director of Washington State University’s Agricultural Research Center.
James Zuiches, dean of the college, said the appointment will be effective April 1. “Dr. Cavalieri brings a number of positive attributes to his new position,” Zuiches said. “He has been chair of Biological Systems Engineering for eight years and has worked closely with agricultural commodity groups.
“As an engineer, he brings a fresh perspective to management of research projects in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics,” Zuiches said.
Cavalieri will succeed James R. Carlson, who will retire March 31.
Carlson came to WSU as an animal scientist in 1966. He served as chair of the Animal Sciences Department from 1982-1993 and has been director of the Agricultural Research Center since 1993.
Cavalieri has been a member of the WSU faculty since 1985. His research has focused on food and postharvest engineering topics and includes work dealing with new sensors and controls for the tree fruit, wheat and processed vegetable industries. He is the editor of the international research journal, “Postharvest Biology and Technology.” He received his doctorate in chemical engineering from WSU in 1985. His bachelor’s degree, in 1975, was from the University of Idaho.
– 30 –