Advisor: David Hannapel
Degree Seeking: PhD in Plant physiology
Current Research:
My research focuses on a specialized signal tranduction pathway involving RNA which induces tuber formation in potato. Previous work from our lab has shown a mobile RNA transcript called BEL5 moves from the leaves to developing tubers through the phloem during inductive conditions to stimulate tuber development. The main objective of my research is to characterize the protein/RNA complex responsible for the mediation of this signal.
Hometown: Springdale, AR
Extra Curricular Activities:
American Society of Plant Biologists (student member), Graduate Student Horticultural Society (president)
Hobbies:
Listening to music, reading, biking, backpacking/camping, and gardening.
Favorite Movie:
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Favorite Book:
Grapes of Wrath
Career Goals:
I'd like to teach while utilizing research as a teaching tool at an undergraduate university. I also have an interest in working with extension researchers to develop more useful horticultural crops using biotechnology.
Advisor: Ajay Nair
Degree Seeking: Master of Science
Major: Horticulture
Current Research: I will be looking at the use of biochar as a soil amendment in vegetable production. Biochar is a byproduct in some processes that seek to gain energy from biomass; it is similar to charcoal, except in its intended use as a soil amendment. The research will investigate the effect of biochar on carrot and pepper production. Some of key areas of interest include the effect of biochar on 1) soil health, 2) soil nutrient retention, and 3) plant health and yield. We will also be evaluating the post-harvest storage and quality in carrots that have been grown in biochar.
Extra-Curricular Activities: Pi Alpha Xi (member), Graduate Student Horticulture Society (member).
Hobbies: Woodworking and vegetable gardening in the summer. I have not really found a winter hobby yet, but I do most of my leisure reading during the cold months of the year.
Career Goals: It is not a popular answer, but I don’t like to set long term goals. I have the short term goal of finishing my studies here at Iowa State. As for career goals, my only career goal is to do my best at whatever task is at hand. I hope to always be an asset to the people I am working with. I feel that a long term goal might only distract my attention, keeping me from finding and enjoying the good aspects of the work I am doing.
Advisor: Cindy Haynes and Jennifer Bousselot
Degree Seeking: PhD
Major: Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture
Current Research: We are surveying and interviewing local food aggregation businesses to determine financial, physical, human, and information resources needed to establish and manage these businesses at different scales. We are also using Geographic Information Systems to identify spatial factors that contribute to success of food hubs such as access to infrastructure, producers, and, consumers.
Hometown: Falls City, Nebraska
Country: United States
Extra Curricular Activities:
Graduate Student Horticulture Society
President 2011-2012
Sustainable Agriculture Student Association
EARTH Program
Present Master Gardener training course
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, watching movies, gardening, keeping fish aquariums, walking, and spending time at home working on the farm.
Career Goals: I would like to become a teaching faculty member at a small university near home where I can continue to farm and pursue interests in commercial horticulture.
Research Publications:
Duerfeldt, K. 2011. Use of geographic information systems at Gifft Hill School, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. M.S. Thesis. Iowa State University: U.S.
Reinert, M., C. Haynes, and K. Duerfeldt. 2011. The process of creating a mobile application for teaching and learning herbaceous ornamentals. Supplement to HortScience 46(9): S355
Haynes, C., M. Reinert, and K. Duerfeldt. 2010. Perception of mobile information and communication technologies by an herbaceous ornamentals class. Supplement to HortScience 45(8): S62
Advisor: Shuizhang Fei
Degree Seeking: Ph. D
Major: Interdepartmental Genentics
Current Research: Vernalization pathway in Brachypodium distachyon
Hometown: Tianjin
Country: China
Extra Curricular Activities: Treasurer
Hobbies: swimming, Latin dance, badminton
Career Goals:
Research Publications:
Advisor: Shuizhang Fei
Degree Seeking: Ph.D.
Major: Genetics
Current Research: Genetic research on freezing tolerance of turf-grass
Hometown: Hohhot
Country: China
Extra Curricular Activities: MBA minor
Hobbies: Swimming, Music
Career Goals: Researcher in Science & Biotechnology companies or institutions
Research Publications: NA
Advisor: David Minner
Current Research: Together, Dr. Minner and I are exploring different management strategies to combat high traffic stress on athletic fields as well as other problems related to the turfgrass industry at large.
I began my graduate study at Iowa State in the Fall of 2007, jointly funded by the Horticulture department and the athletics department. My duties beside classes and research included serving as interim turf manager for the athletics department. Work for my M.S. concentrated on the use of higher than normal seeding rates of annual ryegrass to combat heavily trafficked areas on athletic fields. My thesis was entitled, “Seeding rates of annual ryegrass that maximize turf cover when sown during traffic.” This research was published in the International Turfgrass Research Journal in 2009.
Upon completion of his M.S., I immediately began work toward his Ph.D., using the ideas and research done for my M.S. to build a research project examining the potential for Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass to form transient seedbanks that are useful to sports turf managers. I am also studying whether these species can be established via increased nitrogen fertility and what impact that might have on traffic tolerance.
We have concluded that true seedbanks are not being formed; rather, multiple inputs of seed create the illusion of a seedbank, but hardly any seed persists in the soil after the season of planting, certainly not enough for turf managers to expect acceptable levels of reestablishment without further seeding. Kentucky bluegrass does not perform well when established from seed immediately prior to or concomitant with simulated traffic, nor does it build up any appreciable bank of seed that could potentially help athletic field managers. This seedbank research has been submitted for publication in the 2013 International Turfgrass Research Journal. A related study that examined seed longevity via burial in mesh bags drew similar conclusions and will also be submitted for publication this spring.
Nitrogen based establishment of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass is a work in progress. The study underwent changes in the experimental design after the 2010 study as the seeding rates chosen masked the effects of increased nitrogen on establishment. Further, we have discovered that increases in nitrogen are more effective when paired with spring establishment compared to fall establishment; this is likely due to seasonal nitrogen usage patterns of turfgrass plants. We have found that increasing nitrogen up to 8 lbs/1000 ft2 over an eight week establishment period in spring results in the best maintained turf color and traffic tolerance throughout the growing season, which is in contrast to what has been reported in refereed literature. This work may continue into a postdoctoral research position and when completed, will be submitted for publication.
Career Goals: I plan to finish my Ph.D. in May of 2012, at which time I will seek a faculty position involved with extension, research, and education. I will continue my work toward combating over trafficked fields and begin research focusing on sustainable cultural practices in turfgrass systems.
Establishing plots to evaluate seedbanking potential of perennial ryegrass. On the left are plots seeded one time in September at three different seeding rates; on the right we have taken the same seeding rates and divided them into multiple applications over the course of the traffic season to see how seeding regimen and rate affect seedbanking potential. Simulated traffic was also be applied to examine its role in seedbank formation.
The same perennial ryegrass plots as above after 7 days of establishment. Traffic treatments began immediately after this picture was taken. The effect of seeding rate and how it is applied can be clearly seen between the plots. The effect of seeding rate and seeding regimen can be clearly seen in this picture; more seed sown early in fall results in greater turf cover throughout the traffic season. On the other hand, multiple inputs of seed throughout the season result in higher numbers of emerged seedlings as seen in the following photograph.
Cores were extracted from the above plots after traffic treatments ceased, the top one inch removed and planted into pots to track seedling emergence. Pots on the left represent the single seeding regimen while pots on the right represent the multiple seeding regimen. Clearly, multiple inputs result in available seed in the top inch of the cores, while a single seeding does not. We have concluded that a single seeding exhausts available seed while conditions warrant germination and that by applying seed over the course of the season, you can have the illusion of a seedbank, however, a true seedbank is not being formed as very little seed was still available when tested the spring following sowing.
Advisor: Dr. Gail Nonnecke
Degree Seeking: M.S
Major: Horticulture
Current Research: My research efforts are directed towards understanding the effects of five dwarfing rootstocks and crop load on tree growth and development. I’m also investigating the effects of rootstocks and fruit density on fruit quality attributes and return bloom. Gibson Golden Delicious, Redfree, Liberty, and GoldRush are the scion cultivars being used in the trials.
Hometown: Fort Portal
Country: Uganda
Extra Curricular Activities: Member of the Sigma Gamma Delta- Iowa State University Chapter and I represent the Graduate Student Horticulture Society at the Graduate and Professional Students’ Senate
Hobbies: Playing and watching soccer, running, listening to music, and attempting to cook.
Career Goals: I would like to acquire a PhD and pursue a career in research and extension with some of the CGIAR centers.
Research Publications:
Advisor: Dr. Graves
Degree Seeking: Masters
Major: Horticulture
Current Research: Identifying ornamental features in Dirca mexicana in hopes of possible creating a cultivar for sale to the public.
Hometown: Lake Geneva, WI
Country:
Extra Curricular Activities: none
Hobbies: Reading, scrapbooking,
Career Goals: unsure…
Research Publications: none
Advisor: Dr. Gladon/Dr. Haynes
Degree Seeking: Masters
Current Research:
I am studying the potential of biochar as a replacement for perlite and vermiculite in soilless greenhouse substrates (potting soils). Perlite and vermiculite are materials that are mined from the earth and are not considered renewable resources. Biochar is a byproduct of the pyrolysis process that can be used to produce biofuels. Plant biomass is heated in the absence of oxygen, and gases and oils are captured to be processed into biofuels or other products. Biochar is the solid that remains after this heating process. This biofuel/biochar process can be carried out sustainably, making biochar a renewable resource. Many benefits of biochar have been demonstrated in field settings, and we believe these benefits will transfer to greenhouse substrates. One of the main benefits is increased nutrient holding abilities. This will allow growers to use less fertilizer, saving them money and reducing the potential of nutrient runoff reaching waterways. Using biochar in this manner will increase the sustainability of the greenhouse industry. An added benefit of the use of biochar is carbon sequestration. Biochar is a stable form of carbon that can be buried in the soil where it will remain for hundreds of years. This ability to sequester carbon makes biochar a potential tool for climate change mitigation.
Hometown: Lincoln, NE, but I have been a resident of Ankeny, IA for the last 4 years
Extra Curricular Activities:
Nothing school related. I’m married and we own a house in Ankeny. That keeps me pretty busy…
Hobbies:
Gardening, grilling, gardening
Career Goals:
I want to work in greenhouse food production and someday start my own greenhouse operation.
Harvesting ‘Brianna’ grapes in the vineyard in Willey, IA.
Advisor: Dr. Gail Nonnecke
Degree Seeking: Masters of Science
Major: Horticulture
Current Research: I am currently researching methods to improve the growing conditions of primocane red raspberries in protected environments (field high-tunnels). Some of the techniques being utilized in this research are the applications of shade cloth and soil mulch to reduce light intensity and air and soil temperatures in field high-tunnels. The goals of this research are to assess the relationship between temperature and light intensity and their effect on primocane growth and development, evaluate how effective shade cloths and soil mulch are in reducing temperature and light intensity levels of high tunnel red raspberry production, and provide relatively inexpensive solutions to minimize temperature and light intensity damage in protected red raspberry production.
Hometown: Willey, IA
Country: United States
Hobbies: I enjoy doing almost anything outdoors including running, hiking, playing tennis, canoeing/kayaking, gardening, traveling abroad, taking photography, reading, drinking coffee with friends and family, and spending time with my nieces and nephews.
Career Goals:
Following the completion of my M.S. degree in Horticulture Science, my career goal is to develop my own sustainable operational farm, raising a variety a fruit crops including apples, strawberries, and raspberries grown in high tunnels. As my own operation becomes established I would ultimately like to use my farm as an educational aid for those interested in farming, by assisting them with educational training and resources they need to diversify their cropping systems by increasing their awareness of environmentally sound and sustainable farming practices.
Research Publications:
No publications in peer reviewed journals as of yet, but I have high hopes for my research in the area of primocane red raspberry production in field high-tunnels!
I have had the privilege of co-investigating two particularly important projects in the areas of fruit and high tunnel production:
The 2008, Service Learning in Uganda group demonstrating “double digging” in the school garden of Namasagali Primary School.
My family playing baseball in our hometown’s baseball field.
My personal high tunnel operation cropped with tomatoes.
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