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Sussex County

Research & Education Ctr.
16483 County Seat Highway
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 856-7303

County Extension Director: Cory Whaley

Meet Our Director

In 1992, Mark Isaacs was named the fourth director of what was then known as UD's Research and Education Center or "Substation." During this early tenure, Isaacs oversaw the funding and construction of what is today the Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center completed in 2006.

A native of Georgetown, Delaware, Isaacs earned his B.S. in Agronomy and a M.S. in Agronomy/Weed Science from Clemson University. In 2000, Isaacs completed his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology in Weed Science from Virginia Polytech Institute and State University.

Under Isaacs leadership, the southern campus of the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, known as the Carvel Center for short, developed strong ties with local and state legislators, expanded personnel and facility capital, which in addition to the 2006 Carvel facility, included a $4 million renovation for Lasher Laboratory.

An Associate Professor in CANR's Plant and Soil Science Department, Isaacs teaches classes from Georgetown and Newark, advising undergraduate and graduate students alike. Since 2014, at least 31 students have benefitted from tailored and strategic internships arranged throughout the state, in the public and private sector.

As the Carvel Center director, Isaacs oversees and directs agronomic and vegetable research conducted at the Center and on off-farm locations. Isaacs conducts applied research in the area of agronomic crops, weed control and assists growers and industry professionals in troubleshooting weed control and basic agronomic problems.