Our Graduate Students

My research investigates the variations in malt β-glucanase enzyme activity among four barley genotypes grown across five different locations. The findings aim to support brewing industries in the development of strategies for the selection of barley grains for the improvement of beer quality.

• My Major Professor: Zonglie Hong, Ph.D.
• M.S., Plant Science, University of Idaho
• B.Sc., Agriculture, Bhagwant University, India
• Hometown: Hyderabad, India

I am interested with intercropping crops and its relation to soil and other surrounding environments. I am working with a motivated team guided by professor Xi Liang and professor Zachary Kayler. We firmly believe our research will close the gap on information regarding pulse impacts on soil health, pulse performance during intercropping and benefits transferred to barley in the rotation as well as provide valuable information regarding pulse response to water stress for management in non-irrigated agronomic systems.

• My major professor: Xi Liang, Ph.D.
• MSc
• Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh

My research is focused on herbicide resistance screening and herbicide efficacy experiments on weed seeds collected from Idaho and surrounding states. The main two purposes of this project are two: 1) understand the nature of resistance and distribution resistant biotypes, and 2) develop best management practices by creating practical solutions for farmers, improving herbicide resistance management.

• My major professor: Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D.
• B.S., Agronomic Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia.
• Hometown: Bogota D.C., Colombia

Currently researching how soil pH influences weed growth and crop competition in wheat-based cropping systems in northern Idaho.

• My major professor: Kurtis L. Schroeder, Ph.D.
• B.S. Environmental Physical Science, Black Hills State University, 2018.
• Hometown: Spearfish, South Dakota

My research focuses on phenotypic and genotypic analysis of spring canola for tolerance to low pH soil. Increasing soil acidity is one of the major concerns among the Pacific Northwest growers. Therefore, one of the objectives of my research is to identify acid tolerant canola cultivar among the commercially available cultivars and advanced breeding lines from the Canola Breeding Program at the University of Idaho. Similarly, I am phenotyping root traits of a large spring canola panel in the greenhouse conditions, using acidic and lime-amended soils. Furthermore, I am genotyping the panel to use for Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) to identify genetic regions associated with acid tolerance in spring canola.

• My major advisor: Kamal Khadka, Ph.D.
• B.S., Agriculture, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Hometown: Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal

My research focuses on the characterization of pale cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) resistance in litchi tomato (Solanum sisymbriifolium), a wild relative of potato. I isolated cis-regulatory regions from several litchi tomato genes that were highly expressed in the presence of pale cyst nematode. Currently, I am working to transform these regions into potato, for the purposes of assaying for nematode- and root-specific activity. My research aims to identify cis-regulatory regions that can be coupled with defense genes to generate pale cyst nematode resistant potato cultivars.

• My major professor: Joseph Kuhl, Ph.D.

My research focuses on various applied methods to ensure quality and increase consumer acceptance of stored potatoes. This project encompasses three focal points: 1) update potato quality specifications needed for potato inspectors as quality assessment technologies move towards AI systems, 2) examine weight loss in stored potatoes in relation to impact injuries and disease, and 3) assess phytosanitary risk of propagation of potatoes in relation to export markets.

• Major professor: Nora Olsen, Ph.D.
• B.S., Environmental Studies, Eureka College
• M.S. Plant Science, University of Idaho
• Hometown: Oneida, Illinois

My research focuses on data analysis of genome and phenotype of potato tetraploid lines for mapping PVY resistance to develop gene markers useful for breeding programs.

• My major professor: Joseph Kuhl, Ph.D.
• M.S., Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia
• B.S., Biology, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Colombia
• Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia

My research focuses on sustainable agriculture practices, particularly intercropping, organic farming and crop modeling. The goal of my work is to enhance agricultural productivity and resource-use efficiency by examining interactions among crop species in intercropping systems. I use advanced crop modeling tools to predict yields, refine management practices and assess the environmental benefits of organic farming. Ultimately, my aim is to develop strategies that support sustainable food production, conserve natural resources and improve soil health.

• Major professor: Xi Liang, Ph.D.
• M.S. in Horticultural Sciences, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan
• B.S. in Horticultural Sciences, Shiraz University
• Hometown: Shiraz, Iran

My research focuses on using volunteer wheat interseeded with broadleaf cover crops (forage collards and peas) for weed suppression and soil health improvement in sugar beet. Specifically, my research project is evaluating: 1) biomass production and weed suppression from volunteer winter wheat when utilized as a cover crop; 2) soil health benefits and changes in disease pressure when utilizing volunteer wheat as a cover crop; and 3) cost savings in cover crop establishment and reduction in herbicide use when volunteer winter wheat is used as a cover crop.

• Major professor is: Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D.
• B.S., Plant Science, University of Idaho
• Hometown: Port Angeles, Washington

My projects are focused on weed ecology. These include using a thermogradient table to determine germination temperature and moisture requirements for grassy weed species in the Pacific Northwest. I am evaluating how soil moisture and depth of weed seed placement in the soil affect the efficacy of pre-emergence herbicides.

• Major professor: Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D.
• M.S., University of Idaho, 2023
• B.S., Oregon State University, 2020
• Hometown: Colfax, Washington

My research project involves investigating plant-nematode interactions and identifying potential nematode-resistance genes in barley crops to uncover key resistance genes and advance the development of barley varieties with enhanced resilience to nematode infestations. Additionally, my work includes pathotyping to evaluate the diversity and pathogenicity of nematode populations. I am part of an enthusiastic team conducted by Professor Juliet Marshall.

My future career goal is to improve crop resilience and sustainability by developing nematode-resistant barley varieties and enhancing nematode pest management strategies.

• My major professor is Juliet Marshall, Ph.D.
• M.S., Nematology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
• B.S., Natural Sciences, Statue University of Moldova, Chisinau, Moldova
• Hometown is Chisinau, Moldova

Plant cells recognize constitutive molecules from pathogens through a receptor protein, which then initiates downstream molecular pathways to ultimately defend against the invaders. My lab's research focus is to elucidate the molecular pathway that is triggered in plant cells after recognition of a pheromone secreted by plant parasitic nematodes. Understanding this pathway will give us insight into management strategies that target specific molecular components in plants for enhanced defense against parasitic nematodes.

• My major professor: Fangming Xiao, Ph.D.
• B.S. Biology, Louisiana State University of Alexandria, 2019
• B.S. Chemistry, Louisiana State University of Alexandria, 2019
• Hometown: Alexandria, Louisiana and Boise

My research is focused on the impact of climate-smart practices on weed seedbank dynamics in crop production systems. My study aims to contribute to the development of sustainable, eco-friendly weed management strategies as part of the Innovative Agriculture Marketing and Partnership (IAMP) project at the University of Idaho.

• Major professor: Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D.
• B.S., Agriculture, Agriculture And Forestry University
• M.S. Agriculture Entomology, Agriculture And Forestry University
• Hometown: Lumbini Province, Rupandehi, Nepal

My research involves evaluating fuel break management strategies in the Great Basin to advance wildfire mitigation practices. This work integrates field studies, fire behavior modeling and controlled greenhouse experiments. In the greenhouse component, I examined the responses of Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and Siberian Wheatgrass (Agropyron fragile) to varying grazing intensities (4-inch and 2-inch utilization). Through the assessment of herbicide applications, grazing regimes and mowing practices. My research aims to provide land managers with additional information to improve the functionality of fuel breaks in southern Idaho.

• My major professor: Tim Prather, Ph.D. and Eva Strand, Ph.D.
• B.S. Environmental Science, Xavier University
• B.S. Mathematics, Xavier University
• Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina

My research focuses on understanding and mitigating pressure bruising in potatoes. This includes evaluating enzymatic browning susceptibility and biochemical responses across different potato cultivars to assess variability in their response to bruising. I am investigating how injury-induced browning is influenced by nitric oxide and 1-MCP treatment, examining its potential as a mitigation strategy. Additionally, I am studying physiological and molecular mechanisms, particularly phenolics, PPO activities, and PPO gene expression, in bruised potatoes treated with products like nitric oxide, and 1-MCP, to determine their efficacy in reducing pressure bruising and associated browning.

• My major professor: Gustavo Teixeira, Ph.D.
• B.S., Agriculture and Forestry University, 2023
• Hometown: Rajbiraj, Saptari, Nepal