Kent D. Kobayashi

Kent D. Kobayashi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (TPSS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, affiliated with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). He leads the Controlled Environment Agriculture and Photobiology Lab and serves as a Graduate Faculty member. His expertise includes indoor farming, space farming, and photobiological applications in agriculture.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Horticulture, Oregon State University
• M.Ag. in Agronomic Crop Science, Oregon State University
• B.Sc. in Horticulture, Oregon State University
• B.Sc. in Entomology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Research Focus: Kobayashi’s work centers on optimizing crop production in controlled environments, such as vertical farms and space habitats. Key areas include light spectrum optimization for plant growth, resource-efficient indoor systems, and sustainable agricultural practices in non-traditional settings.

Awards and Recognition:

• 2020 Peer Review Award from HortTechnology
• 2016 Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
• 2017 Ka Pouhana Mentor Award from CTAHR

Teaching and Service: Teaches courses like TPSS 601 (Crop Modelling) and serves as Consulting Editor for Urban Horticulture and Controlled Environments in HortTechnology. Active in professional societies such as ASHS.

Labs/Teams: Directs research in the Controlled Environment Agriculture and Photobiology Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary solutions for food security and sustainable agriculture.