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department of crop science
Jan Spears Jan Spears 
Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor
Department of Crop Science

2126 Williams Hall
Campus Box 7620
Raleigh, North Carolina
27695-7620

Email: jan_spears@ncsu.edu
Office: 2126 Williams Hall
Phone: 919.515.4070
Fax: 919.515.7959


 Curriculum Vitae
 


About

Dr. Spears' graduate education was in Seed Physiology with graduate degrees from Oregon State University (1984) and the University of Kentucky (1988). She began her career at NC State in 1988 as the Seed Extension Specialist. Since coming to NCSU, she has developed a seed research program and began teaching in both the Agricultural Institute and the four-year baccalaureate program. She assumed the duties of Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator for the department in 2004.

Courses
Taught

Honors
and Awards

  • Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor - North Carolina State University Alumni Association - 2011
  • Lifetime Achievement Award - North Carolina State University Chapter of Alpha Zeta - 2011
  • NACTA Teacher Fellow Award - North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture - 2010
  • Seed Science Research Award - Crop Science Society of America - 2010
  • Outstanding Teacher - North Carolina State University - 2008
  • Outstanding Faculty Adviser - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences - 2007
  • Teaching Award of Merit - North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture - 2004
  • Outstanding NCSU Faculty Member - NCSU Agronomy Club - 2002
  • Extension Educational Materials Award - American Society of Agronomy - 1999
  • Extension Educational Materials Award - American Society of Agronomy - 1998
  • Outstanding Faculty Alumni Award - North Carolina State University Chapter of Alpha Zeta - 1998
  • Foil McLaughlin Crop Improvement Award - North Carolina Crop Improvement Association - 1998
  • Charter Research Member - Society of Commercial Seed Technologists - 1996
  • Outstanding Extension Service Award - North Carolina State University - 1994
  • Honorary Seedsman of the Year - North Carolina Seedsmen’s Association - 1991

Extension Activities

The Seed Extension program includes applied research that explores the interactions of seed quality and soil environment, and how these factors impact seed germination and seedling survival. She also works closely with weed scientists to evaluate weed seed germination parameters, dormancy mechanisms, and soil-seed bank dynamics.