Dr. John Sacalis is a professor of Plant Science at Cook College, Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. He teaches Introduction to Horticulture
and Commercial Floral Design. Dr. Sacalis received his B.S. and Ph.D. at Rutgers.
Dr. John Sacalis is a professor of Plant Science at Cook College, Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. He teaches Introduction to Horticulture
and Commercial Floral Design. Dr. Sacalis received his B.S. and Ph.D. at Rutgers.
Formerly owner of a florist business, Jack, as he is known to his friends, was a floral designer before he returned to academics. He is internationally known for his research on the lasting qualities of cut flowers, and has authored a book on Prolonging Freshness of Cut Flowers, available from Ball Publishing, 335 N. River Street, P.O. Box 9, Batavia, Ill. 60510. Jack was the second occupant of the prestigious Ohio State University endowed Kiplinger Chair in Floriculture.
His research presently deals with the study of natural plant products extracted from turf grasses and other plant species, for use in agriculture and medicine. Jack has worked with the cancer drug, Taxol, and has identified a number of new compounds extracted from plants that possess biological activity, such as toxicity to insects.
One of his new interests is in the developmemt of courses
for the internet. A section of his courese in Commercial Floral Design was
offered for the first time entirely for the internet in the Summer of 2006 and
a new internet course in Horticulture is now in the planning stage.
In 1992, Jack developed an interest in watercolor painting, and is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society. He has been active with the Hunterdon Watercolor Society, in New Jersey since its inception. Jack lives in the picturesque Hunterdon County village of Sergeantsville, in New Jersey.
