Technology Partnership of Nagoya University, Inc.
World Class Research Contributing to Society
Dr. Ricardo Hernandez
CE-coalition
North Carolina State University
BIO.
Dr. Ricardo Hernández is an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University focused on controlled environment research focusing on maximizing plant responses through controlled environment optimization. He is also the director of the CEA-Coalition at NCSU (https://units.cals.ncsu.edu/cea/) which is a multidisciplinary, controlled environment research group comprised of research scientists, engineers and in close partnership with industry, the CEA Coalition aims to develop controlled environment agriculture (CEA) as an economically and environmentally sustainable option for agricultural practices by performing evidence-based, transformative research. Dr. Hernandez was recently awarded the “Early Career Faculty Leadership Award” from the American Society of Horticultural Sciences, the “Goodnight Early Career Innovator” at NC State University for his contributions to the controlled environment field, and the “Excellence in Teaching Award” from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In addition, Dr. Hernández has a doctoral minor in entrepreneurship and the co-founder of two start-up companies.
Controlled Environment Agriculture from Science to Commercial Application
The Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) Lab at North Carolina State University, led by Dr. Ricardo Hernández, is dedicated to pioneering sustainable and efficient practices in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Our research focuses on optimizing lighting, climate, and nutrient delivery systems to enhance crop quality, yield, and resource-use efficiency. By combining plant physiology and environmental engineering, the CEH Lab aims to address challenges in horticultural production within controlled environments, including vertical farms and greenhouses.
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates closely with industry partners to develop innovative, science-based solutions for real-world applications. Key areas of our research include the study of light spectrum effects on plant growth, CO₂ enrichment strategies, and resource optimization in closed production systems. These efforts are designed to drive sustainability by minimizing waste, conserving resources, and maximizing crop output in a way that is environmentally and economically viable.
This presentation will provide an overview of recent advancements from the CEH Lab, showcasing how our findings can transform controlled environment agriculture.
Selected Publication
Full list of Publication
- Official Website1, Official Website 2