Eric Stallknecht

Eric Stallknecht is an Assistant Professor and Greenhouse Production Specialist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, based at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center. He is affiliated with the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Horticulture, where his work bridges research and extension in controlled environment agriculture.

His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Michigan State University (2023), an M.S. in Horticulture from the University of Georgia (2018), and a B.S. in the same field from the University of Georgia (2015).

• Ph.D., Horticulture – Michigan State University, 2023
• M.S., Horticulture – University of Georgia, 2018
• B.S., Horticulture – University of Georgia, 2015

Dr. Stallknecht’s research and extension program centers on improving greenhouse production through advanced light management. His expertise lies in supplemental lighting efficiency and the use of spectrum-altering materials to influence crop growth, yield, and architecture. His work aims to enhance sustainability and profitability in greenhouse operations by optimizing light-crop interactions.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on innovative lighting technologies, including agrivoltaics, spectral-shifting films, and dynamic crop modeling. These works reflect interdisciplinary trends combining horticulture, photonics, and systems modeling to solve real-world agricultural challenges.

While no scientific awards are currently listed, his research is published in high-impact journals such as Nature Food and Scientific Reports, indicating strong scholarly recognition.

Dr. Stallknecht advises no listed students yet, but his extension role actively supports Virginia’s extension agents and commercial greenhouse growers. His program emphasizes the dissemination of research findings to practical stakeholders, ensuring science-based decision-making across the state. He collaborates with leading experts like Erik Runkle and has contributed to major symposia in horticultural science.

His work is conducted through the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center, a key facility for applied agricultural research in coastal Virginia, where he leads efforts in greenhouse innovation and sustainable production systems.