Dr. William "Bill" Haller, Professor Emeritus, was Acting Program Director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (UF/IFAS CAIP) from 2004-2018. In addition to serving as Director for UF/IFAS CAIP, he conducted research on aquatic plants and herbicides. He also served as professor and extension specialist for the UF Agronomy Department. Dr. Haller holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science and agronomy from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY, 1969). He earned his master’s degree (1971) and Ph.D. degree (1974) in agronomy from the University of Florida.

Dr. Haller represented UF on several panels and programs throughout the U.S. and specialized in screening and selectivity of potential new aquatic herbicides for use against hydrilla. His research to date has focused on exotic apple snails, herbicide resistance in hydrilla, application techniques for more effective control of aquatic weeds, dye studies, drawdown and mechanical control methods, biological control, physiology of aquatic plants, and more.

Dr. Haller advised such corporations as Walt Disney World and Florida Power and Light in weed management. He traveled extensively internationally to help developing nations with aquatic resource management. He received a number of awards and authored over 80 academic publications.