Rose Metallo: Plant Care Facility Assistant Director
Rose graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Agronomy and received a M.S. in Plant Science from the University of Tennessee. She worked as the Greenhouse Operations Manager for a soybean breeding facility with Syngenta Seeds before joining the UIUC Plant Care Facility as a Research Greenhouse Specialist, transitioning to her current role of Assistant Director.
Rose has experience working with hydroponic and controlled growing systems, LEDs, crop physiology, cultivating specialty vegetable crops and bio-control program management. She is interested in implementing new greenhouse technologies to support research and developing systems to enhance operational excellence.
Email: rmetallo@illinois.edu
Monte Flack: Research Greenhouse Specialist in Agriculture
Monte graduated from The University of Illinois with degrees in Animal Science and Ornamental Horticulture. After twenty-six years at Mid-American Growers in Granville, IL he returns to the University as a Research Greenhouse Specialist.
Monte manages the Plant Science Laboratory Greenhouses.
Email: mwf@illinois.edu
Luke Freyfogle : Research Greenhouse Specialist in Agriculture
Luke graduated from DePauw University with a B.A. in Biology. He worked for ten years as a Field Research Specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign managing various phenotyping and drought experiments before joining the PCF team as a Research Greenhouse Specialist.
Luke manages the Turner Hall Greenhouses.
Email: freyfog1@illinois.edu
Jude Crozier: Research Greenhouse Specialist in Agriculture
Jude graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Horticulture and Landscape Management. He gained horticulture experience working at the Illinois State University Horticulture Center and while working at several farms in Central Illinois and Western Oregon. Jude first joined the University of Illinois as a member of the Grounds Department before transferring to the Plant Care Facility as a Research Greenhouse Specialist.
Email: croju18@illinois.edu
Michael Maddock: Physical Sciences Technical Assistant
Michael performs technical duties and responsibilities that support research and educational programs at the Plant Care Facility.
Michael manages the Soil Shop at the Plant Care Facility.
Email: mmaddock@illinois.edu