Position Title
In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus of Agronomy and Range Science
1942-2018
SHU GENG
Birth: September 3, 1942, Xinji County, Hebei Province, China
Death: January 1, 2018, Davis, California
Education
- B.S., National Taiwan University
- M.S., National Taiwan University
- Ph.D., Biostatistics, Kansas State University, 1972
Employment
- Biostatistician, Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Faculty Member, Department of Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis, 1976–2010
- Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis
- Founding Dean, Graduate School of Environment and Energy, Peking University, Shenzhen, China
- Founding Director, Sino-U.S. Food Safety Research Center, Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University, China
Honors, Awards, and Professional Societies
- Fellow, American Society of Agronomy
- Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
- Instructional Technology Award, UC Davis, 1992
Research Contributions and Impact
Geng’s research integrated statistics, agronomy, and environmental science to improve sustainable crop production. He was among the first scientists to apply quantitative modeling to study how global climate change would affect agricultural productivity and sustainability. His work explored wildlife-crop interactions, landscape-level pesticide movement, and the development of sustainable agricultural systems.
He authored more than 130 publications in quantitative genetics, climate change modeling, sustainable agriculture, and food security. His textbook Biometrics in Agricultural Science, co-authored with Jack Hills, served as a cornerstone in UC Davis biostatistics education for many years.
Teaching and Mentorship
Geng was known for his dedication to teaching and mentoring. He advised numerous graduate students and was recognized for his kindness, generosity, and deep concern for student welfare. His instruction combined rigorous quantitative methods with practical agricultural applications.
Collaboration and Community
Geng played a leading role in strengthening academic relationships between UC Davis and institutions across China. He founded the UC Education Abroad Program in Beijing in 2006 and helped establish long-term partnerships between UC Davis and Chinese universities. His leadership extended to editorial and advisory positions with research organizations and journals, including serving as Chief Editor for the Journal of Integrative Agriculture.
Legacy
Geng’s contributions to biostatistics, agricultural modeling, and international collaboration advanced sustainable agriculture and global academic exchange. His work linking UC Davis with Chinese institutions left a legacy of enduring partnerships and scientific innovation.
References
For additional tributes, interviews and biographies, see the following resources: