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Curriculum vitae

Education

• 1984-1989: Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences-Seed Physiology Major. Crop and Soil Sciences Department. Michigan State University. Dissertation title: The effect of seed size, density, and protein content on field performance, vigor and storability of two winter wheat varieties.
• 1979-1982: M.Sc. in Agronomy. Crop Production and Protection Department. American University of Beirut. Thesis title: The effect of monovalent and divalent cations on the cooking quality of red lentils (Lens culinaris Medic).
• 1976-1979: B.Sc. in Agriculture, and Diploma of Ingenieur Agricole. Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. American University of Beirut

Fields of Specialization and Interest

• Seed physiology and technology; methods of wild and cultivated germplasm characterization;
  
• physiological responses to stress;
  
• sustainable cropping systems; phytoremediation;
  
• statistical analysis and experimental designs.

Work Experience

• April 2006-Present: Associate Seed Botanist. Plant Diagnostics Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• July 1998-October 2005: Associate Professor of Plant Sciences. American University of Beirut.
  
• Oct. 2001-Sept. 2002: Visiting Scientist (Sabbatical leave for one year). Department of Pomology College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. University of California, Davis. USA.
  
• October 1998-Sept. 2001: Chairperson. Department of Plant Sciences. Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences. American University of Beirut.
  
• July-September, 2000: Visiting Scholar. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. University of California, Davis.
  
• July-September, 1998: Visiting Scholar. Department of Biological Sciences. Stanford University. 
  
• Feb. 1992-June 1998: Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences. American University of Beirut.
  
• July 1996-September 1996: Visiting Scientist. United States Salinity Laboratory. USDA-ARS, Riverside.
  
• August 1994-October 1994: Visiting Fellow. New York State Agricultural Experiment Station. Cornell University.
  
• 1989-1991: Post Doctoral Research Associate. Seed Biotechnology Lab. Crop Science Department. North Carolina State University.

Publications

• Elias, S., R. Baalbaki, and M. McDonald. 2007. Seed Moisture Determination-Principles and Procedures. Contribution No. 40 to the Handbook on Seed Testing. Association of Official seed Analysts.
• Ismail, B., I. Haffar, Y. Mechref, R. Baalbaki, and J. Henry. 2006. Physico-chemical characteristics and total quality of five date varieties grown in the United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. 41 (8): 919-926.
• Ismail, B., J. Henry, I. Haffar, and R. Baalbaki. 2006. Date consumption and dietary significance in the United Arab Emirates. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 86 (8): 1196-1201.
• Baalbaki, R., N. Hajj-Hassan, and R. Zurayk. 2006. Aegilops species from semiarid areas of Lebanon: variation in quantitative attributes under water stress. Crop Science. 46: 799-806.
• Barbour, E.K, S.H. Salman, R. Z. Baalbaki, and V.K. Sagherian. 2004. Root yield of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench in relation to spacing in solarized soil and preservation of pressed root juice. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. 22: 133-141.
• Zahreddine, H., C. Clubbe, R. Baalbaki, A. Ghalayini, and S.N. Talhouk. 2004. Status of native species in threatened Mediterranean habitats: the case of Pancratium maritimum L. (sea daffodil) in Lebanon. Biological Conservation. 120: 11-19.
• Yau, S.K., M. Bounejmate, J. Ryan, R. Baalbaki, A. Nassar, and R. Maacaroun. 2003. Barley-legumes rotations for semi-arid areas of Lebanon. European Journal of Agronomy. 19: 599-610.
• Kabengi, N.J., R.A. Zurayk, R.Z. Baalbaki, and J. Ryan. 2003. Phosphorus dynamics and characterization under long-term rotation trial. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 34: 375-392.
• Zurayk, R., B. Sukkariyeh, R. Baalbaki, and D. Abi Ghanem. 2002. Ni phytoaccumulation in Mentha aquatica L. and Mentha sylvestris L. Water, air and soil pollution. 139: 355-364.
• Zurayk, R., B. Sukkariyah, and R. Baalbaki. 2001. Common hydrophytes as bioindicators of nickel, chromium and cadmium pollution. Water, Air and Soil Pollution. 127: 373-388.
• Zurayk, R., B. Sukkariyeh, R. Baalbaki, and D. Abi Ghanem. 2001. Chromium phytoaccumulation from solution by selected hydrophytes. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 3: 400-408.
• Ismail, B., I. Haffar, R. Baalbaki, and J. Henry. 2001. Development of a total quality scoring system based on consumer preference weightings and sensory profiles: application to fruit dates (tamr). Food Quality and Preferences. 12: 499-506.
• Baalbaki, R., R. Zurayk, M. Adlan, and M.C. Saxena. 2000. Effect of N-source and salinity level on salt accumulation of two chickpea genotypes. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 23 (6): 805-814.
• Tambal, H.A.A., W. Erskine, R. Baalbaki, and H. Zaiter. 2000. Relationship of flower and pod numbers per inflorescence with seed yield in lentil. Experimental Agriculture. 36: 369-378.
• Khuri, S., M.R. Shmoury, R. Baalbaki, M. Maunder and S.N. Talhouk. 2000. Conservation of Cedrus libani populations in Lebanon: history, current status and experimental application of somatic embryogenesis. Biodiversity and Conservation. 9: 1261-1273.
• Talhouk, S.N, R.T. Lubani, R. Baalbaki, R. Zurayk, A. Al-Khatib, L. Parmaksizian, and A.A. Jaradat. 2000. Phenotypic diversity and morphological characterization of Amygdalus spp. in Lebanon. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 47: 93-104.
• Baalbaki, R., R. Zurayk, M. Bleik, and S. Talhouk. 1999. Germination and seedling development of drought tolerant and susceptible wheat under moisture stress. Seed Science and Technology. 27(1): 291-302.
• Toufeili, I., B. Ismail, S. Shadarevian, R. Baalbaki, B. Khattar, A.E. Bell, and J.D. Schofield. 1999. The role of gluten proteins in the baking of Arabic bread. Journal of Cereal Science. 30(3): 255-265.
• Haidar, M. A., N. Iskandarani, M. Sidahmad and R. Baalbaki. 1999. Response of dodder (Cuscuta spp.) seeds to soil solarization and chicken manure. Journal of Crop Protection. 18(4): 253-258.
• Zurayk, R.A., Adlan, M., R.Z. Baalbaki, and M.C. Saxena. 1998. Interactive effects of salinity and biological nitrogen fixation on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. ) growth. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science. 180: 249-258.
• Baalbaki, R., and L. O. Copeland. 1997. Seed size, density and protein content effects on field performance of wheat. Seed Science and Technology. 25: 511-521.
• Zurayk, R., and R. Baalbaki. 1996. Inula crithmoides: a candidate plant for saline agriculture. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation. 10: 213-223.
• Talhouk, S.N., R. A. Chahine, S. Hamadeh, B.C. Hamdar, and R. Baalbaki. 1996. Low-input cherry production: a horticultural alternative for marginal highlands as a case study from Lebanon. HortScience. 31(7): 1077-1079.
• Atiyeh, R., M. Aslam, and R. Baalbaki. 1996. Nitrogen fertilizer and planting date effects on insect pest populations of sweet corn. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 28(2): 163-167.
• Copeland, L. O., R. Baalbaki, and N. B. Lee. 1990. The effect of seed treatment on laboratory and field performance of navy bean exposed to prolonged wet humid weather prior to harvest. Journal of Seed Technology. 14: 19-29.
• Copeland, L. O., R. Baalbaki, and N. B. Lee. 1990. The effect of seed treatment on laboratory and field performance of soybean seed exposed to prolonged wet humid weather prior to harvest. Journal of Seed Technology. 14: 30-40. 27. Kim, S. K., L. O. Copeland, and R. Baalbaki. 1988. The use of multiple tests in predicting the vigor of soybean seeds. Korean Journal of Crop Science. 32 (3): 268-276.

Most recent technical reports

• Baalbaki, R. 2006. Rhodes grass hay production: management, requirements and feasibility.
• Baalbaki, R. 2005. Community-initiated agricultural improvement, diversification and marketing in the Upper Chouf area-Lebanon.
• Baalbaki, R. 2005. Support and promotion of key agricultural activities in the Chouf Sweijani area of Lebanon.
• Baalbaki, R. 2005. Thematic report on transfer of technology and technology Cooperation.
• Baalbaki, R. (contributor). 2005. A national biosafety framework for Lebanon.
• Baalbaki, R., R. Zurayk and N. Hajj-Hassan. 2004. Towards a policy framework for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the ESCWA region: a case study of Lebanon.
• Baalbaki, R. 2001. Present status of agrobiodiversity and genetic resources in the Beka’ drylands-herbal species.
• Baalbaki, R. (contributor). 1998. National biodiversity strategy and action plan-Lebanon.

Examples of recent conferences and presentations

• September 12, 2005. Proposed sustainable agricultural activities linked to other key sectors of the economy in the Chouf area of Lebanon. EU-OMSAR. January 8, 2004. Biosafety-survey of activities and relevant institutions in Lebanon. UNDP/GEF and the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment. November 3-4, 2003. The Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II. Implementation meeting. USAID-Cornell University.
• October 6-8, 2003. Biotechnology and its Role in the Jordanian Economy. The Higher Council for Science and Technology-Jordan. Title of presentation: Salinity tolerant plants-resources and research in Lebanon.
• May 11, 2002: Pomology Department Spring Seminar Series. University of California, Davis, USA. Title of presentation: Agriculture in Lebanon-Problems and potentials.
• November 10, 2000. Why Organic Farming in Lebanon. The Goethe institute, Beirut and First Step Together Association (FISTA). Title of presentation: The dangers of conventional farming on the environment.
• October 20-21, 2000. Soil Solarization-Environmentally Friendly Technology. Lebanese Ministry of the Environment and Hans Seidel Stiftung. Title of presentation: Effect of soil solarization on crop yields.
• July 11, 2000. Conservation and sustainable use of dryland agro biodiversity of the Near East Regional Meeting. UNDP-GEF. Title of presentation: Survey and data collection of herbaceous plant species.
• May 13-15, 2000. Indigenous plant genetic resources in sustainable agriculture. The Project on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Dryland Agro-Biodiversity of the Near East, UNDP/GEF. Title of presentation: Types of conservation techniques for genetic resources.

Examples of recent workshops

• June 5, 2007. Experimental design and data analysis for seed testing research. AOSA/SCST joint workshop. Cody, Wyoming.
• April 25-26, 2007. Germination of grasses/Seed moisture determination. Seed Laboratory-Plant Pest Diagnostics Center; California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• December 10-11. 2005. Designing and developing biodiversity enabling activities-the case for Lebanon. Sponsored by the UNDP/GEF and the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment.
• March, 10. 2004. Sustainable agriculture-principles and practices. Sponsored by USAID.
• February 18-19, 2004. Collecting and evaluating wild seeds. Co-sponsored by the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment and AUB. September 24, 2003. Cropping systems and crop rotations. Sponsored by USAID.
• May 28-30, 2003. Seed testing: evaluation of purity and germination. Co-sponsored by the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment and AUB
• February 12-14. 2003. Workshop on Cultivation of Wild Herbs. Sponsored by Mercy Corps, USDA.
• March 27-28, 2002. Biodiversity Opportunities in Lebanon-Production and Industry. Co-sponsored by the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment and AUB.
• July 12, 2001. Alternative crops suitable for South Lebanon. Sponsored by Creative Associates International, Inc
• March 23-24, 2001. Adapting alfalfa production systems to Lebanese dry lands. Sponsored by Creative Associates International, Inc.

Undergraduate courses taught

• Seed Science and Technology
• Principles of Plant Physiology
• Introductory Plant Biology
• Principles of Agronomy
• Crop Production in Dry Regions

Graduate courses taught (Master’s level)

• Statistical Methods in Agriculture
• Survey and Collection of Plant Genetic Resources
• Advanced Crop Production
• Global Issues in Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources (Coordinator)
• Advanced Plant Physiology
• Stress Physiology