It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Jodie Holt, a longtime faculty member in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside, who passed away April 27, 2026.
Jodie was a leader in weed science whose work helped shape the field at the intersection of ecology and management. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, she made foundational contributions to understanding invasive and weedy plants, as well as developing science-based approaches to weed management in both agricultural and wildland systems. Her research integrated plant physiology and ecology to better understand invasion dynamics and inform practical, on-the-ground strategies.
Jodie was an important member of the California weed science community, within the UC system and beyond. She trained and mentored generations of students and practitioners, contributed to collaborative research and extension efforts, and helped to foster a network of weed scientists across the state. Her impact is reflected not only in her scholarship, but in her extensive service, the many people she supported, and the programs she helped strengthen.
Among many recognitions of her work and impact as a scientist, Jodie was a Fellow of the American Associate for the Advancement of Science, Fellow of the Weed Science Society of America, and a Fellow of the Western Society of Weed Science.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Holt’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew her. Personally, she had a tremendous impact on me during my early years of graduate school at UC Riverside. She was exceptionally kind, supportive, and a joy to interact with, and she will be sorely missed.