
Ibtisam Alatawi
Ph.D Student - CEMB
Advisor: Dr. Ainong Shi
"I am investigating evaluation of abiotic and biotic resistance; conduct QTL and association
mapping and identify SNP markers; and study gene expression for the abiotic and biotic
resistance in vegetable crops such as tomato."
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Yilin Chen
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Ainong Shi
“My research topic is cowpea genome-wide association study (GWAS). I will focus on
the cowpea association mapping of powdery mildew resistance and morphologic traits.
I am also involved in breeding activities and genetic research in arugula and tomato.”
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Thomas Mason Chizk
Ph.D Student
Advisor: Dr. Margaret Worthington
"Among horticultural fruit crops, fruit texture is often a trait of enormous importance,
as it relates to both shipping potential and consumer opinion. The primary focus
of my dissertation research is to provide plant breeders with tools to expedite the improvement of texture and shipping
potential in blackberry and muscadine grape by identifying efficient phenotyping techniques
and predictive molecular markers.”
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Eric DeBoer
Ph.D. Student
Advisor: Dr. Mike Richardson
“My PhD program is focused on the use of nanobubble technology to superoxygenate water
for the use of irrigating gold course putting greens, as well as for use in hydroponic
lettuce production.”
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Rhiannon De La Rosa
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Mike Richardson
"The focus of my research is determining the importance of seed sourcing in the context
of prairie restoration. We'll be looking at the differences of phenotype in four species
from several different source locations, and then focusing more closely on one grass
species to determine genetic differences among sources. Our hope is to be able to
inform restorationists how to make better decisions on where to get seed for an overall
more successful, sustainable restoration site."
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Carly Godwin
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Margaret Worthington
"My project is part of the Genotype Wide Association Study (GWAS) being conducted on
blackberries. The portion of this study that I am researching focuses on the genetic
control of fruit quality aspects of blackberries such as pH, titratable acidity, and
soluble solids as well as seediness and drupelet number."
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Kalyn Helms
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Ryan Dickson
"I am a Controlled Environment Masters student under Dr. Ryan Dickson and my research
includes evaluating the importance of controlling pH and plant tolerance to pH drift
in hydroponic solutions and evaluating novel grower strategies to buffer pH and prevent
nutritional and water quality issues. My side projects focus on evaluating substrates
amended with wood products for the effects on plant growth and nutrition, and analyzing
new controlled-release fertilizer technologies in outdoor nursery crops."
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Alden Hotz
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Amanda McWhirt
"As I pursue a graduate degree in Horticulture, my focus of research is to further
evaluate the potential benefits of using a variety of cover crops. These cover crops
will help to ensure the development of sustainable agriculture. Cover crops have been
used for many benefits including weed control, erosion reduction, insect population
control, and nutrient supplementation. My research is to find some solutions to issues
local farmers have dealt with in recent years particularly in watermelon production.
The research will be testing a variety of cover crop combinations to discover which
options are viable in producing quality fruits, managing weed grow, as well as increasing
plant available nutrients. A particular issue the research will show is the outcome
for different options of cover crop termination. This research will be applicable
across many agriculture disciplines as the demand for quality produce with minimal
or no pesticide use increases."
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Lauren Houston
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Ryan Dickson
"My research focuses on quantifying nutrient and water uptake across edible crop species
in closed hydroponic systems. By doing so, we hope to be able to design more efficient
refill solutions and be able to better predict when to replenish nutrient solutions.
I am also currently working on a side project that will evaluate leaf and sucker pruning
practices on yield in hydroponically grown tomato and developing a course curriculum
for a hydroponics class."
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Carmen Johns
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Margaret Worthington
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Kayla Knepp
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Matt Bertucci
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Leala Machesney
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Ryan Dickson
“My thesis project is working with novel blackberry production in a greenhouse environment."
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Daniel O'Brien
Ph.D Student
Advisor: Dr. Mike Richardson
My research focuses on improving our understanding of soil surfactants (a.k.a. wetting
agents), and the different ways they affect water movement & availability within the
rootzones of intensively managed turfgrass systems, especially those prone to hydrophobicity.
Central to this work is an effort to differentiate, organize, and classify wetting
agents based on objective, scientific research data, rather than marketing claims
& terminology offered by manufacturers.
Additionally, my research seeks to develop improved application strategies for maximizing
the benefits of wetting agents, examining both environmental factors corresponding
to reductions in product efficacy, as well as product combinations and rotations which
may enhance overall effectiveness.
While my research speaks largely to the golf course industry where wetting agents
are commonly used, I also have a strong interest in exploring novel situations for
using wetting agents well-beyond the golf course, so that the positive attributes
of healthy turfgrass may be more fully recognized and appreciated.
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Dotun Samuel Olaoye
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Ainong Shi
"Downy Mildew caused by Peronospora effusa is a devastating disease hampering productivity of Spinach in the US and across the
world. To this end, my project is inclined towards the adoption of molecular breeding
technologies that would facilitate the development of tightly-linked molecular markers
to resistance QTL/gene(s) which will be deployed to develop resistant cultivars, thus
improving productivity."
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Rachel Woody-Pumford
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr.Matt Bertucci
"My project is on vegetation management in native grasses and wildflower plantings
on roadsides and for prairie restoration. Within this project, there will be a field
study and greenhouse component to screen herbicides for their effect on the native
grass and forb species included in the 7 seed mixtures that are part of this project,
as well as on the weeds found at the field sites."
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