Cox named MSU plant and soil sciences department head

Contact: Vanessa Beeson

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Michael Cox is the new head of Mississippi State’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Home to undergraduate programs in agronomy and horticulture, plus several master’s and doctoral programs in agronomy, horticulture and weed science, the department houses approximately 50 faculty members and serves around 300 undergraduate and graduate students.

“Dr. Cox is a proven leader who has successfully guided the department as interim head since 2023,” said Darrell Sparks, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences acting dean and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station acting director. “An exceptional agronomist, his more than three decades of research on soil health, nutrient management, climate trends and precision agriculture have advanced crop productivity and environmental sustainability across Southern agricultural systems. I’m confident in his ability to lead the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.”

Angus Catchot, MSU Extension Service director, said Cox is an ideal fit to help oversee the department’s numerous extension efforts.

“Our Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Extension faculty and staff are making a meaningful impact across Mississippi by helping producers increase yields, sustain water resources and improve row crop production,” Catchot said. “Dr. Cox has led the department effectively during his interim appointment, and I look forward to seeing him continue guiding this diverse group.”

Cox said he hopes to continue to grow the program into a regional powerhouse.

“Our department is already strong, and long term, I’d like to see us as the premier source of teaching, research and extension across the Mid-South,” he said. “I look forward to supporting our faculty as we explore growth in areas like automation and artificial intelligence and other future trends in agronomy and horticulture, while also honoring our traditions. I’ve been here for over 30 years and know the faculty well. I see the great work they are engaged in and will continue to support them in any way I can.”

Cox, a renowned soil and nutrient management expert, has authored more than 40 publications with over 1,100 citations and holds a bachelor’s degree in crop and soil sciences and a master’s degree in agronomy, both from Purdue University. He earned his doctorate in agronomy from Louisiana State University.

For more information about MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, visit www.pss.msstate.edu.

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