AgriLife Extension names new viticulturist

Dr. Pierre Helwi assumes Lubbock post

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]u

Contact: Dr. Pierre Helwi, 806-746-6101, [email protected]

LUBBOCK – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has named Dr. Pierre Helwi as the new viticulture program specialist at Lubbock.

Helwi, who started March 11, is headquartered at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1102 E. Farm-to-Market Road 1294.             
             “AgriLife Extension has had an excellent relationship with the grape growing and wine industry since its inception on the South Plains, and we look for Pierre to help that industry continue to grow toward the future,” said Dr. Larry Stein, associate department head for AgriLife Extension horticulture at College Station.

Helwi earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Bordeaux in France and a bachelor’s degree from Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon. Helwi’s dissertation research focused on the effects of nitrogen nutrition on aroma compounds in grapes and wine.

           The new viticulturist’s background information states he has experience in setting up viticulture experiments, monitoring phenological stages of vine and grape ripening, and the control of vine vigor including mineral nutrition and water regime of vines. His project management skills include teamwork and collaboration with other laboratories, scientific paper writing, oral presentations and poster presentations.

           For more information, contact Helwi at 806-746-6101, or [email protected]u.