Triston Hooks

Triston Hooks joined CEAC in 2021 as an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Biosystems Engineering Department at the University of Arizona. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Plant and Environmental Sciences from New Mexico State University in 2020, where his research focused on plant physiology and plant salinity tolerance. Since 2019, he has worked as a Research Associate at Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Dallas, where his research focused on Urban Agriculture and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technology, including hydroponic systems and LED lighting. He has conducted research on Organic hydroponics, microgreens, and the application of supplemental ultra-violet (UV-A) light to enhance plant quality in greenhouse production systems. 

At the UA-CEAC, Dr. Hooks is currently involved in both research and hands-on instruction of greenhouse hydroponic production of tomatoes, peppers, and cucurbits (along with other crops) in the Teaching Greenhouse. Dr. Hooks also has a passion for plant steering (plant empowerment), nutrient solution recipes, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for sustainable food production systems.