A memorial protection honoring Marc van Iersel has been established through the American Floral Endowment ( AFE ) . Dr. Marc van Iersel , Researcher and Professor at the University of Georgia , peacefully passed away on April 20 , 2023 , at the age of 57 , with his wife , Lynne , and champion / former scholar , Claudia Elkins , at his side . Marc was staggeringly impactful to the floral industriousness through his inquiry and pedagogy .
Marc van Iersel was a plantsman who pioneered sound system that changed the way food and decorative plants are grown . His plan of attack was simple and verbatim : ask plants what they need and then automatically provide it . He published over 150 scientific newspaper with global influence and was call for to lecture about his inquiry around the world , including Italy , Spain , Taiwan , Kenya , Canada , China , Chile , and Brazil . Marc was the Vincent J. Dooley Professor of Horticulture at the University of Georgia , where he spent most of his career from 1995 on . Marc oversaw the UGA Horticulture Physiology Laboratory focused on photosynthesis and Inner Light role efficiency research . He also work on applied inquiry in controlled factory farm environments . As a professor of horticulture , Marc developed biofeedback systems that measure out soil moisture and employ ocular sensors to automatically control the amount of urine and luminosity provided to plants in nursery and erect farm . The resultant had endure wallop leading to happier , healthier plants with a smaller carbon footprint and cost .
Marc ’s highly influential research was fund by AFE for the last decennium , including a current project on fluorescence imaging purport at being a low - price method acting for early stress detection . “ Marc provided the flower industry with practical information based on sound skill . He anticipated the needs of growers and sought financial support to improve output and blossom timber , ” noted Dr. Terril Nell , AFE ’s Research Director . One of Marc ’s well - known works was his leaders ofProject LAMP , which focused on identifying the optimum light loudness and spectrum for the profitable product of crops in glasshouse and flora mill . projection LAMP play together plant scientist , technologist , and economists . Marc was the receiver of numerous awards and award , including the 2019 UGA Entrepreneur of the Year and fellow of the American Society of Horticulture Science . In 2017 , he co - founded Candidus , Inc. with Erico Mattos , where they transitioned greenhouse light technology to ware .
Marc is survived by his loving wife , Lynne Seymour ; crony and sister ( in - jurisprudence ) Ruud ( Yvonne ) van Iersel , Yvonne ( Rob ) Deussen , and Frank van Iersel ; nieces and nephews Floor and Sjors Deussen , and Sara and Yuri van Iersel ; his in - laws , Eddie and Peggy Seymour , Sandi ( Pawel ) Antoniak , Erik ( Kelly ) Hussey , and Annabel Antoniak ; a multitude of human friend as well as his six beloved pets ; and a small army of students and colleagues who will keep on his work and legacy . A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday , May 2 , at the Day Chapel at the UGA Botanical Gardens from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. RSVP for the divine service athttps://forms.office.com/r/rs952sgLwv.In remembrance of Marc , please take a donation to the Marc van Iersel Memorial Tribute . contribution can be madeonline hereor by send out a tab withthis formto :
American Floral Endowmentc / o Marc van Iersel Memorial Tribute610 Madison Street , Ste . 101 , PMB 803Alexandria , VA 22314
