People

TC Jayalath

• Email TC

TC Jayalath holds a Ph.D. in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) horticultural lighting, with his dissertation focused on optimizing crop production through light manipulation. He also earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Georgia and both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in agriculture crop science from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

With a diverse background in CEA and greenhouse production, TC previously managed a greenhouse farm in Sri Lanka, overseeing vegetable production, processing, and storage operations. TC enjoys gardening and playing with his kids whenever he has spare time. For more details, connect with TC on LinkedIn.

Emily Leibl

• Email Emily

Emily graduated from the University of Georgia in 2024 with a B.S. in Horticulture. As an undergraduate, she started as a student assistant under Pam Lewis and stayed for 3 years. She enjoys ballroom dancing, playing with her family dog Odie, and learning about medicinal plants and fungi.

Daniel Gershon

• Email Daniel

Daniel graduated from the University of Georgia in 1992 with a B.S.A. in Horticulture.  In 2010, he joined the grounds maintenance team at UGA where he supervised a crew for thirteen years. He enjoys family outings, plant propagation, restoring motorized vehicles and equipment, and giving tours through his gardens.

Ellen Jones

• Email Ellen

Ellen Jones graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Horticulture. She now oversees the newest addition to the facilities: the multidisciplinary greenhouse complex, which features the first fully automated greenhouses on campus. Outside of the greenhouse, she has a passion for cut flowers and spends her free time growing and arranging floral designs.

Pamela Lewis

• Email Pamela

Pamela brings over 20 years of greenhouse experience to our Plant Growth Facilities team.  After graduating with a Master of Science in Floriculture from the University of Georgia, she spent four years working as a research coordinator at the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens before taking a job at a wholesale nursery and greenhouse in Savannah, Ga.  In 2005, she returned to Athens and began working at the UGA greenhouses where she specializes in horticulture. 

Matthew Seader

• Email Matthew

Matt graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Agriculture (Horticulture). His extensive background in horticulture has focused on ornamental plant production, plant introductions, and plant research. Matt provides technical support and management of research and teaching operations for CAES alongside other members of the PGF team.

Chelsea Martin

• Email Chelsea

Chelsea graduated from the University of North Georgia with a B.S. in Forensic Science in 2014. She discovered her passion for plants in 2019 and has since gained experience in landscaping, farming, and commercial greenhouses. Outside of the greenhouse, she runs a small home nursery and sells her plants online. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family, cheering for Georgia Bulldog football, and watching women’s basketball.