II Michael J. Cox has worked at SIUC since 1997 and is currently the greenhouse gardener at the University Greenhouse on Rowden Road west of campus off Chautauqua Street. The Department of Plant and Soil Science operates the facility, which has been part of the University since the 1950s.
Cox manages all activities at the greenhouse, which is predominately research oriented.
We have six major research groups under way right now. Some of it involves research into genetically engineered corn, tobacco and soybeans. We operate under specifications given to us by the researcher, who directs how each project is carried out. Sounds like a big job. I'm the only full-time worker at the greenhouse, but I do have up to four student workers.