Welcoming our Interim Department Head

Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz

Dr. Ruiz Diaz came to K-State in 2008 and has established a highly respected career in soil fertility and nutrient management with integration of research, teaching, and extension to improve sustainable agricultural practices.

Honduran by origin, Dr. Ruiz Diaz received his Agronomy B.S. at Pan-American School of Agriculture, Honduras, his M.S. in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his Ph.D. in Soil Fertility in Iowa State University.

His work is dedicated to enhancing nutrient efficacy and perfecting interpretations of soil tests to enable producers to make evidence-based, environmentally sound fertilizer choices. He directs applied field research in nutrient management, the use of manure and soil health, and oversees the K-State Soil Test Lab.

Dr. Ruiz Diaz is known for his leadership in regional and national soil science associations and his effort to assist Kansas farmers with practical, evidence-based solutions. In his tenure as Interim Department Head, he hopes to further solidify the department's balance of teaching, research, and extension with faculty and student collaborations and innovations.