Our Graduate Students

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 project focuses on intensifying and diversifying wheat-based cropping system of Inland Pacific Northwest with the incorporation of winter peas and cover crops intended for grazing to increase farm productivity, profitability and resilience.

• My major professor is Kurtis Schroeder, Ph.D.
• M.S., Agronomy, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
• B.S., Agriculture, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Hometown is Kathmandu, Nepal

My research project focuses on integrating cereal cover crops (wheat, barley and triticale) with herbicides for improved weed control in dry beans in southern Idaho. The project is based on integrated weed management practices that reduce reliance on herbicides, particularly in cropping systems where effective herbicides are scarce or absent.

• Major professor: Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D.
• B.S., Agriculture, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Hometown: Hetauda, Nepal

My research focuses on understanding the impact of invasive annual grasses, Bromus tectorum and B. japonicus, to native sagebrush steppe plant community diversity and resilience along environmental gradations. I am also investigating how invasive annual grasses have impacted the fire ecology of these systems to better inform modeling. My study takes place in southern Idaho at the Rinker Rock Creek Ranch.

• Major Professor: Tim Prather, Ph.D.
• M.S., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
• B.S., Ecology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
• Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan

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 project involves the use of high throughput genotypic and phenotypic data to estimate genomic selection prediction accuracy for grain yield and agronomic traits in wheat. I am also working on validation and fine mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for dwarf bunt and common bunt resistance in wheat. Especially in organic wheat cultivation, the use of bunt resistant varieties is the best way to manage these diseases. My future career goal is to enter the plant breeding industry and pursue a career in research and development in crop improvement.

• Major professor is: Jianli Chen, Ph.D.
• B.Sc. Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal
• Hometown: Kanchanpur, Nepal

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 research is focused on understanding how epigenetic memory helps wheat (Triticum aestivum) to adapt to weed stress after being exposed to broadleaf weeds such as kochia (Kochia scoparia) and common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) or grassy weeds such as Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and wild oat (Avena fatua).

• Major professor is: Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D.
• M.S. Plant Science, Université Paris-Saclay, France
• B.S. Agricultural Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
• Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana

Precision Water Management for Agronomic, Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Idaho Hops. This research compares the evapotranspiration-based irrigation water management with a typical time-based water application strategy currently used by Idaho hop growers. The analysis will include agronomic, economic and environmental assessment.

• B.Sc. Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal
• Hometown: Chitwan, Nepal

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

The overall aim for my research is to use sugar beet lime as a soil amendment for acidic soils. Sugar beet lime is a byproduct from the sugar beet processing and lime which is used for the sugar purification process. The byproduct is known to provide very suitable liming material for the acidic soils, since it raises the soil pH. This research will be based mainly at Aberdeen Research and Extension Centers, with frequent travel to the Kimberly Research and Extension Center.

• My major professors: Jared Spackman, Ph.D. and Albert Adjesiwor, Ph.D.
• Bsc. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
• Hometown: Gaborone, Botswana

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

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 focuses on mapping PCN (Globodera pallida) resistance in tetraploid potato.

• Major professor: Joseph Kuhl, Ph.D.
• M.S., Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru
• B.S., Biology, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Peru
• Hometown: Lima, Peru