Research Interests
Oregon State University — My research interests can be divided into two categories. The first category is environmentally responsible landscape design, construction and management. We are currently developing a center for greenroof research at OSU. This facility will be used for years to come to trial plants for PNW greenroofs, test drainage strategies, examine stormwater runoff and many other questions related to greenroof construction and management.

My second area of research interest is best summed up in the question, “How do we learn?” I am interested in how my students learn and integrate information. I am interested in developing teaching and learning strategies that optimize a student’s time at the university. Furthermore, I am interested in assessment techniques that can validate learning and comprehension.

University of Florida — My research program at the University of Florida focused on the reduction of cultural inputs (water, fertilizer, pesticides, etc.) for the establishment and management of contemporary landscapes. Research approaches included traditional field experiments and plant trials. Of particular interest was the selection of native and non-native plants for various landscape conditions. I also had a graduate student working on African-American visitation to botanical gardens.

University of Georgia — While at the University of Georgia, my research focused on the evaluation of Atlantic white cedar as a suitable ornamental conifer and the disease resistance of Atlantic white cedar and Leyland cypress to Seiridium and Botryosphaeria cankers. I assembled, propagated and maintained a collection of 54 taxa of Atlantic white cedar. The collection was evaluated under field conditions and standard nursery production conditions. Inoculation trials were conducted in the greenhouse and in the field.

Publications
Refereed Publications

Righetti, T.L., D. Dalthorp, D.R. Sandrock, B. Strik, and P. Banados. 2006. Slope-based and ratio-based approaches to determine fertilizer-derived N in plant tissues for established perennial plants. J. Hort. Sci. Biotechnol. (accepted January 12, 2006).

Righetti, T.L., C. Vasconselos, D.R. Sandrock, S. Ortega-Farias and Y. Moreno. 2006. Assessments of CO2 assimilation on a per-leaf-area basis are related to total leaf area. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. (accepted July 18, 2006).

Righetti, T.L., D.R. Sandrock, B. Strik, C. Vasconselos, Y. Moreno, S.O. Farias and P. Banados. 2005. Analysis of ratio-based responses. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. (accepted June 3, 2005).

Sandrock, D.R., T.L. Righetti, and A.N. Azarenko. 2005. Isotopic and Nonisotopic Estimation of Nitrogen Uptake Efficiency in Container-grown Woody Ornamentals. HortScience 40(3):665-669.

Sandrock, D.R., A.N. Azarenko, and T.L. Righetti. 2005. Fertilization of Two Container-grown Woody Ornamentals Based on Their Specific Nitrogen Accumulation Patterns. HortScience 40(2):451-456.

Sandrock, D.R., R. William, A.N. Azarenko. 2004. Group-based on-site active learning (GOAL): Technique for investigating nitrogen management in container nurseries. HortTechnology 14(3):442-448.

Non-refereed Publications

Wichman, T., G., Knox, E. Gilman, D. Sandrock, B. Schutzman, E. Alvarez, R.
Schoellhorn , and B. Larson. 2006. Florida Friendly Plant’s list. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.

Alvarez, E. and D.R. Sandrock. 2006. Assessing Ornamental grasses. Ornamental Outlook. 15(2):16.

Sandrock, D.R. 2003. Nitrogen management: the big picture. NMPro 18(12):67-69.

Sandrock, D.R. 2001. New ideas for maximizing nitrogen use; Research could lead to environmentally safer, more efficient methods. NMPro 17(3):39-42.

Sandrock, D.R., M.A. Dirr and J.W. Woodward. 1998. Evaluation and selection of Atlantic white cedar taxa. J.C. Raulston Arboretum Newsletter. Summer 1998. 3-7.

Sandrock, D.R., M.A. Dirr, J.W. Woodward, and T.J. Smalley. 1998. Evaluation and selection of Atlantic white cedar taxa. Georgia Green Industry Association Journal. April 1998. 2, 22-24, 26, 28, 31.

Published Abstracts

Alvarez, E. and D.R. Sandrock. 2006. Salt spray tolerance of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ and Pennisetum setaceum ‘Hamelin’. HortScience 41(4):1038.

Alvarez, E., S.M. Scheiber, and D.R. Sandrock. 2006. Irrigation requirements and drought response of two ornamental grass species. HortScience 41(4):1009.

VanDerZanden, A.M. and D.R. Sandrock. 2006. An interactive online case study to improve problem-solving skills of landscape horticulture students. HortScience 41(4):974.

Vyapari, S, S.M. Scheiber, and D.R. Sandrock. 2006. An evaluation of a statewide, web-based course in landscape plant establishment. HortScience 41(4):932.

Sandrock, D.R., A.N. Azarenko, R.C. Martin, and N.V. Bassil. 2005. Expression of the NRT1 gene in Cornus and Rhododendron. HortScience 40(4):1020.

Righetti, T.L., C. Vasconccelos, D.R. Sandrock, S. Ortega, and Y. Moreno. 2005. Alternate Approaches for Evaluating Horticultural Efficiency. HortScience 40(4):1038.

Sandrock, D.R., R. William, and A.N. Azarenko. 2003. Nitrogen flow and management in container nurseries: an adaptive cycle model. HortScience 38:670.

Sandrock, D.R., A.N. Azarenko, and T.L. Righetti. 2003. Fertilization based on specific plant requirements reduces inputs in the production of two woody ornamentals: comparison with a controlled release fertilizer. HortScience 38:676.

Sandrock, D.R., J.W. Woodward and M.A. Dirr. 2000. Growth and aesthetic evaluation of container- and field-grown Atlantic white cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B.S.P. HortScience 35 (3):429-430.

Sandrock, D.R., J.W. Woodward and M.A. Dirr. 2000. Susceptibility of Atlantic white cedar, Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B.S.P. to Botryosphaeria and Seiridium cankers. HortScience 35 (3):390.

Professional Experience
Assistant Professor
   Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture, (Fall 2005-present)
Assistant Professor
    University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture (Spring 2004-Fall 2005)
Instructor
   Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Winter 2002-Summer 2003)
Ph.D. Graduate Teaching Assistant
   Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Winter 2000-Winter 2004)
M.S. Graduate Teaching Assistant
   The University of Georgia, Horticulture Department (Fall 1997-Winter 1999)
Owner and Manager
   Sandrock Landscaping, Jefferson, Georgia (May 1991-October 1994 and January 1997-February 1998)
Nursery Manager
   Mountain Valley Farms, Cumming, Georgia (January 1996-January 1997)
Lab Technician
   The University of Georgia, Horticulture Department (June 1995-January 1996)
Illustrator
   Dr. Allan Armitage, The University of Georgia (April 1995-January 1996)
Landscaper
   Several local firms, Jefferson, Georgia (1987-1995)

Courses Taught
Teaching Experience

Landscape Management (HORT 315)
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Winter 2007)
In HORT 315, student actively learn about all phases of the landscape management industry from licenses to pruning.

Internship and professionalism (Hort 405)
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Winter 2007)
Students in HORT 405 learn how to write resumes and cover letters, and they practice their interviewing skills.

Graduate Student Seminar (Hort 507)
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Winter 2007)
We work with graduate students on preparation of their seminars and schedule speakers for the winter series.

Landscape Construction Techniques (HORT 358)
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Spring 2006)
HORT 358 takes students through the many construction techniques often required by landscape contractors including site evaluation, plant protection, grading, planting and hardscape construction.

Advanced Landscape Design (HORT 380)
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Spring 2006)
This is a project oriented, capstone course. Students design for ecosystem maintenance/enhancement, learn computer aided design (CAD), use color in landscape designs and render section/elevation views.

Landscape Design Theory (HORT 280)
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Winter 2005/2006)
The Landscape Design Theory class is organized to guide students through the design process from initial client interview to final presentation. I prepare lectures and class exercises based on the text and conduct studio exercises that provide students with the skills to complete the course project.

FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional (FCHP)
University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture (Spring 2005)
I facilitate classes based on the FCHP manual. At the end of the course, students will take the FCHP exam to receive their certification.

Landscape and Turfgrass Management
University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture (Spring 2005)
I co-teach this course with the turfgrass specialist. I prepare and deliver lectures, conduct labs, organize and lead fieldtrips and facilitate all other aspects of the course.

Landscape Plant Establishment
University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture (Fall 2004)
This course covered landscape contracting and installation with an emphasis on the science behind plant establishment. I prepared and delivered lectures, conducted labs (hands-on such as paver installation, irrigation, plant selection, etc.) administered and graded exams and managed all other course requirements.

Specialty Gardens
University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture (Spring 2005)
This was a weekend short course. I organized and developed one of four modules for the course on cultural practices for home gardeners and gave a lecture entitled, “Giving Your Garden a Great Start”.

Plants, Gardens and You
University of Florida, Department of Environmental Horticulture (Spring 2004, Summer 2004, Fall 2004 and Spring 2005)
As a guest lecturer, I presented a 1-hour lecture on Plant Hunters each term. This is a 1 credit course for non-majors aimed at recruiting students.

Sustainability
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Fall 2003)
I co-taught a course in sustainability issues within the Willamette Valley with instructors from Horticulture, Anthropology and Fish and Wildlife.

Landscape Plant Materials
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Winter 2002/2003, Spring 2001, Winter 2001, Fall 2000)
As a graduate teaching assistant, I lectured and conducted plant identification walks for Hor 228, Hor 227 and Hor 226, Landscape Plant Materials. I presented a 2-hour help-session on distinguishing characteristics of Acer sp., Quercus sp., and trees with compound pinnate leaves. Eventually, I was hired as an instructor by the Department and was responsible for all aspects of Hor 227 and Hor 228, Landscape Plant Materials.

Nursery Management
Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture (Spring 2000)
I served as teaching assistant to the Nursery Management course.

Systematics of Woody Ornamental Identification
The University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture (Spring 1999, Fall 1998, Spring 1998)
I presented lectures and slide presentations on designated groups of plant materials and conducted numerous plant walks focusing on identification characteristics. In addition, I prepared, proctored and graded quizzes and lecture exams. I was responsible for HORT 3710 while Dr. Dirr was on sabbatical.

Plant Propagation
The University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture (Fall 1997)
I designed and conducted six labs covering seed propagation, vegetative propagation and grafting.

Teaching Enhancement Activities

Attended the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture meeting held in Gainesville, Florida, June 21-23, 2004.

Attended the 5th annual College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) Teaching Enhancement Symposium, Gainesville, Florida, August 18, 2004.