UNH Today

Stuart Grandy, professor of soil biogeochemistry and fertility and co-director of the UNH Center of Soil Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology (Soil BioME), was recently named a fellow of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). The annual awards, which are the highest recognition given by the SSSA, are presented for outstanding contributions to soil science through education, national and international service, and research.

Grandy’s collaborative research is known for being transformative in soil science and agroecology, particularly in cover crop complexity, soil organic matter formation, biogeochemical modeling and bioavailable nitrogen. At UNH, he leads a research program that examines the role of soil organisms in regulating soil carbon cycling, trace gas emissions, nitrogen cycling and productivity. His team, which integrates microbial-explicit models, emerging biogeochemical concepts and data, is currently focused on soil health, soil organic matter dynamics and rethinking nitrogen cycling in agroecosystems. They are also examining from where and how plants and microbes obtain nitrogen — an element critical to crop production but also easily lost to the environment — to improve the efficiency of nitrogen use.

“Soil is pivotal to addressing global concerns about climate, water, food, and rural livelihoods,” says Grandy. “Solving these critical issues requires exceptional teams and collaborative research. At UNH, I've collaborated with the very best early-career soil scientists and faculty to tackle these pressing problems.”

Grandy has 117 publications in premier journals and has presented his team's research in 90 invited presentations. He also regularly collaborates with industry and has given more than 40 invited talks to farming, industry, and soil health groups.

In addition, Grandy’s commitment to educating his students and preparing them for success is equal to the effort he applies to his research. His commitment to early career training often leads to nationally competitive fellowships and excellent job offers for his advisees.

The honor from SSSA is an exciting addition to other recent accolades that Grandy has received. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Soil Ecology Society Professional Achievement Award. In 2022 and 2023, he was included in Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers list, which identifies the top 0.1% of the world’s scientists who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their field or fields of research.