From the "ANR Report" March 2011, Vol. 24, No. 9.
Born and raised in New Zealand, Michael Reid never anticipated a career in California, but he retired from a 32-year career as a UC Davis environmental horticulture professor and specialist in June 2010. Reid’s research has spanned the spectrum from basic biology of flower senescence to practical means of improving postharvest quality and life of ornamentals.
He earned a B.Sc. in botany, an M.Sc. in microbiology and a Ph.D. in cell biology at the University of Auckland.
As a Fulbright fellow, Reid spent a year at UC Davis studying postharvest physiology of melons and other crops. After further post-doctoral studies in England, he returned to the New Zealand Department of Scientc and Industrial Research, where he studied postharvest physiology and technology of apples, and “new” crops, including kiwifruit, tamarillos and feijoas.
In 1978, he joined UC Davis as an assistant professor in environmental horticulture, with teaching, research and extension responsibilities.
Together with UC Davis colleague Jim Thompson, Reid waged a campaign to persuade the flower industry of the importance of such elementary measures as cool temperatures, clean buckets and ventilation. He was involved in the development of STS and later 1-MCP as anti-ethylene treatments for cut flowers and potted plants.
He has published more than 200 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, and several hundred in grower and popular locations. He has also authored a number of books, including some in Italian and Spanish, on handling of cut flowers and related topics.
Reid served in the administration of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, as associate dean for Cooperative Extension, as statewide associate dean and as associate dean for the Division of the Environment. Within ANR, he served as chair of the Council of Associate Deans and Directors and program leader for Agricultural Productivity.
Industry has recognized Reid’s contributions with the Alex Laurie Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science, the Alex Laurie Prize from the Society of American Florists, and the Alan Armitage Award from the Specialty Cut Flower Growers Association. Last year he was the ARS Morrison Lecturer at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Science and selected for induction into the California Floriculture Hall of Fame.
Reid and wife Nancy have retired to San Juan Bautista, with winters in New Zealand. Beekeeping is among his new ventures. He continues to be involved in the floriculture postharvest research program and the Postharvest Center, as well as serving on the management team of the Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Program.
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