Get to Know our New CFAES Faculty!
We're pleased to welcome the following new faculty to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences! Some are new to CFAES in 2022 and others are transitioning to tenure-track faculty roles after years with the college, but we're lucky to have each of them, so we hope you'll take a few minutes to get to know them!
Agricultural Technical Institute
My primary research interests revolve around turfgrass response to environmental cues and stresses, with most attention paid to responses to light. I am interested in turfgrass perception and acclimation to altered spectral radiation due to foliar shade and using this information to select and breed for shade tolerant turfgrasses. I am also interested in the response of shaded turfgrasses to other co-occurring stresses such as the effects of ultraviolet light and high-intensity light on turfgrasses under shade. Beyond shade, I am currently investigating the role of high-intensity light stress on cold tolerance and cold acclimation in a diverse range of turfgrass species and cultivars.
Hometown:
Girard, OH
Previous Academic Institution (s):
B.Sc., Youngstown State University, 2008
B.Sc., in Agriculture Ohio State University, 2011
Ph.D., in Horticulture and Crop Science Ohio State University, 2017
Researcher and Postdocotral Associate, University of Minnesota, 2017 – 2021
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I play golf and I like assembling LED arrays.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I chose to join the CFAES faculty because coming back to work at Ohio State is like coming back home for me. I want to make an impact and better the education of Ohio State students studying turfgrass management, it’s very personal to me. I also want to generate research that improves the day-to-day life of professional turfgrass managers, and I want to be on the cutting edge of turfgrass biology research; Ohio State CFAES is the best place for me to do that.
Entomology
Broadly, my research foci range from basic to applied, but all are aimed at developing novel, evidence-based approaches to managing pests in specialty crop production. Prior to coming to OSU, I evaluated and implemented integrated pest management practices in vegetable cropping systems. I developed multifaceted programs that managed target pests in addition to reducing associated plant diseases or mitigating harmful effects to pollinators. I look forward to applying a dynamic approach to the evaluation and delivery of pest management programs to Ohio’s specialty crop landscape.
Hometown:
Born and raised in Northwest Michigan (Grand Traverse/Leelanau)
Previous Academic Institution (s):
Purdue University (as a postdoctoral research associate)
I received my PhD at Cornell University (based at Cornell AgriTech).
Can you share a fun fact or something most people don't know about you?
I’m a crime junkie and I’m often listening to true crime podcasts when driving to field sites.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I love being outside so hiking, boating, fishing, swimming etc. are some of my favorite pastimes. Even better if I get to enjoy these activities with my friends and family!
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
During my PhD, I collaborated with growers and extension personnel to design and implement a statewide pest management program. It was a success! We were able to significantly increase adoption of thresholds, all while saving growers money on insecticide costs.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty? Throughout my research and the interview process, I was impressed by the diversity and quality of agricultural research and extension within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at OSU. I appreciated the collaborative atmosphere and drive to unite research and extension efforts between departments and disciplines. As an applied entomologist, I strive to create effective and sustainable management practices for specialty crop growers, which is a goal CFAES faculty excel at. In short, CFAES has built a wonderful reputation of delivering evidence-based programming to growers, and I look forward to contributing to that legacy.
School of Environment and Natural Resources
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Restoration and Conservation Ecology - The Ohio State University
BSc in Zoology - University of Glasgow
Extension
As a 4-H Extension Educator in Warren County for the past 20 years, I focus the majority of my work around the 4-H camping program, school enrichment, and leadership / diversity training. I have a passion for expanding and challenging the minds of youth, especially when it involves cultural learning and immersing youth in diverse settings.
I attended Appalachian State University in North Carolina and hold a B.A. degree in Sociology. After college I served two years in Brethren Volunteer Service and worked in Northern California in a homeless shelter. I was a case manager who helped residents of the shelter find employment, housing, as well as other needed services.
I attended Bethany Theological Seminary to pursue a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) and then served in the Americorps*VISTA (Domestic Peace Corps) program in Washington DC and worked as the Education Coordinator at the National Coalition for the Homeless. I travelled throughout the US educating youth and adults about the issue of homelessness. At each location, I would ask local persons who were homeless/formerly homeless to accompany me and share their stories.
After my time in Washington DC, I moved to Ohio (April of 2001) and started my work as a 4-H Extension Educator in Warren County.
Hometown:
Born and raised in NW Blue Ridge Mountains - Sparta, NC (population 2,100)
Previous Academic Institution (s):
M.Div from Bethany Theological Seminary (Richmond, IN) and B.A. in Sociology from Appalachian State University (Boone, NC)
Can you share a fun fact or something most people don't know about you?
I lived in South Korea and taught English and once I backpacked from Belize to Panama where I contracted Ecoli and dropped 26 pounds
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
My hobbies include travel (visited 27 countries) and play a variety of sports (mainly Mountain Biking, Tennis and Basketball). My wife is from Germany and we have two young daughters (14 & 16) and live in Lebanon, OH.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
National ESP International Service award (2020)
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I chose to become part of the CFAES faculty because of the way I believe the process will help me expand and challenge my leadership abilities to affect positive change in the OSU Extension organization and the wider CFAES college community. I also aspire to teach at the college level.
As an Extension Educator in Licking County, I have been making a difference in lives of ordinary people in the areas of diabetic education, health and wellness, food safety and most recently, nature and human health. I have served as past President of the Ohio Nutrition Council and provided organizational leadership in developing a national diabetes education team across land grant universities. To support my work, I studied with experts from the Harvard Research Institute at the Culinary Institute of America and traveled to Italy to study food as medicine to better understand how food can heal.
Prior to joining Ohio State University, I was an Assistant Professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and worked for General Electric in product development. I am a passionate and mindful teacher, creative in my teaching and approach to research and enjoy motivating, educating, and having fun.
Hometown:
I was born and raised in the inner city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Previous Academic Institution (s):
M.S. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
B.S. Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Illinois
Can you share a fun fact or something most people don't know about you?
I competed in seven Arnold Pump and Runs and was ranked #312 out of over 700 men and women of all ages. I like a challenge, I guess, and continue to CrossFit and weightlift.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I really love the outdoors, being in nature, cooking, gardening, biophilia, helping others and tending to my dog, Gabbi the Goldendoodle.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Graduate Fellowship Award (this is where it all began) from Ohio State University and Health Excellence in Education Award from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I chose CFAES because I like the people and the programs but more importantly, it just feels like where I belong.
I joined Extension in fall of 2015 after over 20 years in private veterinary practice. My two areas of specialization include Veterinary Sciences and Local Food Production Systems.
Hometown:
I was born in Cleveland, grew up in Pittsburgh, and graduated high school in Youngstown. I have lived in Columbus since 1993.
Previous Academic Institution (s):
B.S. Zoology from Ohio University
B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio University
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.
Can you share a fun fact or something most people don't know about you?
I am entering my 26th year community gardening in Ohio's last and largest original Victory Garden started in the 1940's.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Local Food Champion from the Franklin County Local Food Council, the Columbus City Council and the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I chose to join the CFAES faculty as I enjoy a challenge. I look forward to becoming a better educator and researcher as a result.
Horticulture and Crop Science
My career in agriculture started in a small town in northern Nicaragua, where I was born and raised, working on my family’s farm. My interest in agriculture led me to Zamorano University in Honduras, where I completed my undergraduate in Agriculture and Production in 2014. Zamorano’s experiential learning education and prior experiences in my family farm motivated me to start graduate studies in 2016. First, at Kansas State University for a Master’s degree studying nitrogen limitation in soybean in the U.S. and Argentina and then, at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln for a Doctoral degree, studying ear development issues and productivity losses in corn.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to join the Horticulture and Crop Science Department at Ohio State University. I will lead an applied research and extension program for developing and distributing science-based information concerning efficient, productive, and sustainable corn and emerging crop systems. In 2023, I plan to start teaching the Domestication and Utilization of Agronomic Crops course. Additionally, alongside Richard Minyo, I will provide leadership to the Ohio Corn Performance Testing Program. This program is a strategic partnership between industry, OSU, and farmers that has been in place for several decades. The program assists farmers in selecting hybrids that are best suited to different operations and environments across the state. I am thankful and I plan to build on the strong legacy left by my predecessor, Dr. Peter Thomison, Professor and Extension Corn Specialist, who retired after 30 years of service.
Hometown:
My hometown is San Fernando, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. Nicaragua is roughly the size of Ohio and half of Ohio’s population. My hometown is 20 km from the highest peak in the country, Mogoton, which is about 2,100 meters (or 6,900 feet) above sea level. Our farm’s high altitude is one factor that contributes to enhancing the quality of our coffee beans, and hence a better cup. In 2021, our farm placed among the best 30 coffees in the country.
Previous Academic Institution (s):
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.), Crop Physiology and Production (2018 to 2021)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, United States.
Master of Science (MSc.), Agronomy (2016 to 2018)
Kansas State University, United States.
Bachelor of Science (BSc.), Agriculture and Production (2011 to 2014)
Pan-American Agricultural School Zamorano, Honduras.
Can you share a fun fact or something most people don't know about you?
When I was a kid, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up; my answer was “to be a cowboy.” It seems that I took a slight detour diving into agronomy and crop sciences instead. Nevertheless, I am still within agriculture, and there is time yet. Having some acres with a few horses and cows in eastern Ohio might not be a bad idea after all.
Also, I come from a family of small coffee growers, so I get to drink coffee from my family farm almost every day, honoring the producer-to-consumer concept. The coffee needs to travel about 2,500 miles. Thankfully, we identified the right partners (check it out, https://www.hnf.coffee/). We have transitioned from producing conventional coffee to specialty coffee in the last seven years. Transitioning to specialty coffee has been an exciting venture that my family and I have and continue pursuing.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
You will typically find me riding a few miles of a mountain bike trail or in one of the parishes nearby. I also enjoy traveling and being outdoors; when possible, grilling wagyu burgers is a good choice. I like to be available to support the communities where I live, from advising friends or students to moving furniture on my extended bed pick-up.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I have been fortunate to work with great institutions, teams, and individuals; every aspect has built into my achievements. I am proud of three national/international recognitions (one from the National Corn Growers Association):
- Yield-Limiting Factors Graduate Student Award (American Society of Agronomy, ASA, 2018)
- Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship (National Corn Growers Association, NCGA and BASF, 2019)
- Crop Science Graduate Student Scholarship (Crop Science Society of America, CSSA, 2020)
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
My experiences have allowed me to develop comprehensive research, teaching, extension, leadership, and service training. At Ohio State, I will continue pursuing my career goals of being at the service of agriculture. My position includes extension, research, and teaching appointments. This combination provides very promising dynamics, collaborations, and educational opportunities. It is a great honor to contribute to the advancement of the OSU land-grant mission. Buckeyes across the state and worldwide make a lasting impact; I am proud to become an active member of this community. GO BUCKS!