Dr. Jason “Jay” Ferrell is the director of the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Since 2017, Dr. Ferrell has led a multidisciplinary group of faculty and staff whose mission is to develop and disseminate strategies for addressing the impact of invasive plants. He also serves as the Director of the Pesticide Information Office where he works to ensure that pesticide applicators are trained and licensed in a relevant and timely manner. With degrees from the University of Kentucky and University of Georgia, Jay started at the UF in 2004 and focused on plant management and plant response to herbicides.

Originally from west Kentucky, he enjoys collegiate sports and the outdoors. Most weekends he can be found walking his 10-year-old beagle or seeking out new breakfast places with his teenage son.