Graduate Students
Horticulture Graduate Students
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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." |
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.” |
M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Ainong Shi "The aim of my study is to evaluate drought tolerance in tomato germplasm accessions and conduct genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic markers associated with tolerance to drought. Dr. Gehendra Bhattarai will supervise implementation of the project." |
Ph.D. Student Advisor: Dr. Margaret Worthington "Flowering is one of the more complex and interesting processes in plants at the molecular and physiological levels. Understanding the molecular mechanism of blackberries' flowering is fundamental to improving new genotypes in the breeding program. Therefore, part of my research is the discovery of genes involved in flowering time and intensity by combining quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, and physiology. Additionally, I am working on the implementation of molecular breeding strategies such as marker-assisted selection and genomic selection for key traits in the blackberry crop like primocane fruiting, thorniness, plant height, fruit texture, and flavor components. Successful adoption of molecular tools in the fruit breeding program will aid to accelerate the development of new cultivars."
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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.” |
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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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." |
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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M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Matt Bertucci |
Ph.D. Student Advisor: Dr. Amanda McWhirt "My research focuses on updating fertility recommendations for Southeastern blackberry production. She is evaluating nitrogen fertility rates for ‘Ouachita’ blackberry production, refining leaf tissue nutrient sufficiency recommendations, and studying nitrogen allocation in Prime-Ark® Traveler." |
M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Aaron Cato "I am looking into broad mites on blackberry; more specifically, the efficiency of primocane leaflet sampling, the impact cultivars can have on broad mite populations, and the influence of broad mite feeding on yields. The ultimate goal of my research is to assist growers in making more informed miticide decisions." |
M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Ryan Dickson “My thesis project is working with novel blackberry production in a greenhouse environment." |
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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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M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Mike Richardson "My name is Sarah Paschal and I am a Turf Grass Sciences Masters student working under Dr. Mike Richardson. Together, we are working on a roadside native vegetation restoration project funded by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. This project has six locations throughout the state of Arkansas representing the different eco regions found across the state. We will be planting and collecting data on forbs, tall grass, and short grass mixtures. "
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 M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Ainong Shi "My research will focus on evaluation of genetic variation of heat tolerance in tomato and studying genome wide association to identify SNP markers associated with heat tolerance in tomato. " |
M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Ryan Dickson "I am a Master’s student in the Controlled Environment lab and my thesis work will look at plant nutrition for greenhouse crops grown in closed hydroponic systems. My projects will look at nutrient solution compositions as well as different replenishment methods for multiple plant species."
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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." |
M.S. Student Advisor: Dr. Amanda McWhirt |
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