Charles Fontanier

Charles Fontanier is an Associate Professor in the Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University. He holds a Ph.D. (2015), M.S. (2010), and B.S. (2007) in Agronomy-related fields from Texas A&M University. His research focuses on applied physiology in turf sustainability, emphasizing water conservation, irrigation science, cultivar development, and abiotic stress management. Key projects include breeding stress-tolerant turfgrasses and optimizing rootzone systems.

His grants include initiatives like 'Crucial Capacity Building Through Graduate Training In Advancing Climate-Resilient Horticulture' (2025–2030) and 'Precision Irrigation To Improve Water Use Efficiency' (2022–2025). Fontanier collaborates widely, with over 55 peer-reviewed publications since 2020, covering topics like shade tolerance in warm-season grasses, genetic mapping of stress traits, and sustainable urban horticulture practices.

Research highlights include identifying shade-tolerant bermudagrass cultivars, mapping QTLs for cold and drought resistance, and evaluating novel irrigation techniques. His work bridges molecular genetics with practical turf management, aiming to enhance ecological resilience in managed landscapes.