Robert E. (Chip) Petrea

Principal Research Specialist in Agriculture

Agricultural Engineering Sciences Building
304E AESB, MC-644
1304 W. Pennsylvania Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Ph: (217) 333-5035
Fax: (217) 244-0323
E-mail: repetrea@illinois.edu

Research Areas

Surveillance of agricultural injuries and illnesses
Application of cognitive psychology models to agricultural safety and health
Integration of beliefs toward specific behaviors into interventions and programs
Evaluation of intervention programs and processes
Effective educational strategies for incorporating agricultural safety and health related content into allied disciplines
Group processes integral to agricultural and rural leadership development

Courses Taught

TSM 422: Agriculture Health and Illness Prevention

Education

Ph.D., Agricultural Education, University of Illinois, 1996
M.Ed., Agricultural Education, University of Illinois, 1989
B.S., Dairy Science, University of Illinois, 1976

Professional Experience

Extension Specialist, 1992-date, University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service
Assistant Director for Agricultural Continuing Education, 2002-date, UIUC, Great Lakes Centers for Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, University of Illinois - Chicago

Professional Activities

Carle Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety, Ag/Rural Safety Mobile Vehicle
AgrAbility Unlimited, Illinois Project
Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health, External Advisory (NIOSH Ag. Center at Univ. of Iowa)
Great Lakes Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, Fellows Program (NIOSH Ag. Center at Ohio State)
National Center for Agricultural Behavioral Health (collaborative project of U IA, IA St., Northern IA, and other public/private entities)

Fellowships

July 1991-October 1992, Graduate Research Assistant - Agricultural Engineering, AgrAbility Unlimited Program. On campus research and support for assisting disabled farmers.
August 1987-July 1989, Graduate Research Assistant - Agricultural Education, Illinois Secondary Agricultural Core Curriculum Revision Project. Responsible for developing problem areas.

Honors and Awards

UIUC Incomplete List of Instructors Rated as Excellent: 2001, 2003
National Institute for Farm Safety: President's Award, 2004; Special Recognition Award, 2004

Professional Memberships

Alpha Tau Alpha - National Professional Honorary in Agricultural Education
American Society of Agricultural Engineers
Illinois Network for Agricultural Safety and Health
Illinois Rural Health Association
Kappa Delta Pi - Honor Society in Education
National Institute for Farm Safety
National Rural Health Association
Phi Delta Kappa - Professional Fraternity in Education
Phi Kappa Phi - Academic Honor Society

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois