Extension Assistant Professor, Soil Sciences (DOE 80% extension and 20% research)

Ricardo Ribeiro, Ph.D., is an assistant professor whose work focuses on soil and nutrient management to improve the resilience and productivity of crop and forage systems. His expertise centers on nutrient cycling, soil structure, cover crops, grazing management, and carbon sequestration. Dr. Ribeiro is particularly interested in advancing sustainable soil management practices that support both environmental and production goals, including nutrient use efficiency, water retention, soil health, and reduced runoff and compaction.

He has worked extensively in on-farm research, collaborating with producers, extension professionals, and interdisciplinary teams to bridge scientific research with practical, real-world solutions. In his new role at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Ribeiro will focus on addressing the specific needs of Kentucky agriculture, developing research and extension strategies that are responsive to local soils, production systems, and climate challenges. His approach is grounded in participatory engagement and science-based solutions that benefit Kentucky’s farming communities.

Dr. Ribeiro holds a B.S. in Agronomy and both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Soil Science. He completed a postdoctoral position at The Ohio State University, where he led research on grazing management, carbon sequestration, and soil health within large-scale, on-farm trials. He joined the University of Kentucky in August 2025.

Areas of Interest

Soil health and structure, nutrient cycling, integrated crop-livestock systems, grazing management, cover crops, climate-resilient farming systems, participatory research and extension.

Professional Experience

Extension Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky – August 2025 to present.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences, The Ohio State University, March 2023 – July 2025.

Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences, The Ohio State University, March 2021 – February 2023.