Dr. Obadiah Njue Appointed Interim Dean for UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences; Dr. Yathish Ramena Named Interim Assistant Dean for Extension and Outreach

Pine Bluff, AR — Dr. Obadiah M. Njue has been appointed as interim dean and director for the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences (SAFHS) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, according to Dr. Bruce McGowan, interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at UAPB and former interim dean for SAFHS. Dr. Yathish Ramena has been appointed to interim assistant dean for Extension and outreach in addition to his role as director of UAPB’s Aquaculture and Fisheries Center of Excellence.

“I am very pleased to make these important leadership appointments,” Dr. McGowan said. “For many years, Dr. Njue has served the School in a number of leadership roles, and during that time he has made strong ties with the community. As interim dean, he will ensure that SAFHS continues to shine, providing the best learning experience for our students and setting an example for other land-grant institutions. We look forward to seeing the positive impact Dr. Njue will make in this capacity.”

As interim dean, Dr. Njue will provide leadership for the three academic departments in the School as well as its research, Extension, outreach and international programs. He will supervise department chairs and other administrative and management personnel and will be responsible for the development of the School’s vision and goals.

Since 2020, Dr. Njue has served as Extension administrator/assistant dean for Extension and outreach. Prior to that role, he served as interim assistant dean for Extension. From 2015-2018 he served as chair of the department of agriculture and interim director of the Regulatory Science Center of Excellence. He originally came to UAPB in 2005 when he was hired as an Extension horticulture specialist.

Before coming to UAPB, Dr. Njue worked in academic and administrative positions at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. He has a doctorate degree in agriculture (horticulture) from Mississippi State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in botany from Panjab University in Chandigarh, India.

Dr. Yathish Ramena

As interim assistant dean for Extension and outreach, Dr. Ramena will support Dr. Njue in the administration, management and operation of UAPB’s Cooperative Extension Program.

“Dr. Ramena’s extensive experience and proven leadership in aquaculture and fisheries make him uniquely qualified for this role,” Dr. McGowan said. “His commitment to innovative program development and fostering meaningful partnerships will be invaluable as we continue to expand our outreach and service to the community.”

He will be responsible for establishing and maintaining work relationships with federal, state and university officials, partner organizations, government agencies and the general public. He will also develop and manage innovative programs in Extension and outreach and develop a rapport with the public, commodity organizations and other relevant groups.

Prior to his appointment as director of the Center of Excellence in Aquaculture and Fisheries at UAPB, Dr. Ramena served as a senior principal scientist for Great Salt Lake Brine Shrimp Cooperative,

Inc. in Ogden, Utah. He also has research, Extension and outreach experience from his time as an aquaculture Extension team leader at CP Aquaculture Private Ltd., a multinational company in Chennai, India.

Dr. Ramena received his doctorate degree in aquaculture from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a master’s degree in animal biotechnology from Bharathidasan University in India, a master’s degree in aquaculture from Acharya Nagarjuan University in India and a bachelor’s degree in industrial fish and fisheries from Andhra University in India.

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