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! We're lucky to have each of them, so we hope you'll take a few minutes to get to know them!
Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics
Dr. Ando earned a B.A. in economics from Williams College in 1990 and a Ph.D. in economics from MIT in 1996. She was a Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics from 1999-2023 and before that she worked as a research Fellow in Resources for the Future, where she still has an affiliation as a University Fellow. She has had nearly $6 million in grants from sources including the NSF, EPA, and USDA-NIFA and has been published in journals such as Science, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. Ando is currently a Co-Editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, she has served as a handling editor for other major journals in her field, and she has worked on numerous review panels for the National Science Foundation. She has served as elected Board member and as elected Vice President of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists and is currently elected to the Board of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. She is a member of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources for the National Academies of Sciences. She has provided expert advisory service to agencies and NGOs including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy in Illinois.
I am an Assistant Professor in the department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) at The Ohio State University. At AEDE, I aim to develop and implement research, teaching, and extension program that addresses critical agricultural and environmental economics issues related to the production, distribution, and accessibility of food and agricultural commodities through sustainable means. My doctoral dissertation quantifies the benefits of the federal Clean Water Act regulation in reducing nutrient pollution from large animal facilities, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). I also enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration and working with spatially explicit data (e.g., citizen science and remote sensing products). In an ongoing project I work with economists and ecologists to study the effectiveness of Conservation Reserve Program, a federal agricultural land retirement program, in supporting grassland bird biodiversity in the United States. I will be teaching an undergraduate-level course on agricultural policy in Spring 2024, where I look forward to introducing students to economic models that can examine how different domestic and international agricultural policies impact farmers in Ohio and elsewhere. My outreach effort will include publishing extension articles to timely communicate research findings with local stakeholders, as well as working with non-academic partners on- and off-campus to evaluate different agricultural best management practices to help farmers make better decisions for a more sustainable agriculture.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
I am originally from Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.
Previous Academic Institution(s):
I obtained my Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2021, and worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Cornell University for 2 years before joining AEDE.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I (embarrassingly) have limited hobbies, but I am obsessed with basketball and it will be awesome if there is a CFAES faculty team to compete in intramural sports.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
As a newbie to the profession I have yet to receive notable professional recognition, but I am proud of being selected as one of the mentees for a mentoring program, organized by the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, that aims to help develop skills to lead the economics profession to become more diverse and supportive.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
My research interests align well with many of the faculty members in the AEDE department. Various already well established extension programs under CFAES are also very appealing, including programs focusing on managing air emissions from animal facilities and providing information on agricultural best management practices. I look forward to working with experts across departments under CFAES, and there seems to be ample opportunities to work with off-campus partners as well, including Ohio NRCS and Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Anne Fitzpatrick is an Associate Professor of Development Economics in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. Fitzpatrick attended Cornell University where she received a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations in 2005. She then worked as a research assistant at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Fitzpatrick went on to receive a dual Ph.D. in Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan. Prior to her employment at Ohio State, Fitzpatrick worked at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Fitzpatrick is an affiliate for Innovations for Poverty Action and an invited researcher for several initiatives for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). Her research focuses on health and education topics in developing countries. She frequently collaborates with governments on conducting large-scale randomized evaluations of policies related to improving the quality of public health services. She has a particular emphasis in her work on topics related to women and children, including studies of childcare. She has conducted fieldwork in Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, India, and Pakistan. She teaches courses in econometrics, data analysis, and quantitative methods, as well as development economics.
My research interests include food security, food access, trust, game theory, behavioral economics, and spatial econometrics. I have previously conducted research geared towards improving food insecure residents’ access to healthy foods. Broadly, I am interested in theorizing, visualizing, and modeling data that improves community well‐being. My job market paper focuses on analyzing food initiatives through Trust Games geared towards improving food access across varying levels of residents’ trust using a Bayesian game theory model.
My teaching objective is to build students up to meet the challenges of new information, past the scope of the courses I teach. Overall, I plan to serve as a guide and mentor for my students to improve their intuition in solving economic problems they may face in future courses or in their career. I plan to keep their attention on theory or econometric topics by providing real world examples and scenarios that can be applicable to student’s everyday life. I will engage in active listening to my students and optimally pace the course so that it is academically challenging but not overwhelming them.
My outreach objectives include wanting to help the department provide a culture where every undergraduate student, graduate student, professor, and stakeholder feels comfortable and included to ensure all parties are successful. I firmly believe this requires creating an authentic community that focuses listening, finding common ground, and trust amongst everyone.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Savannah, Georgia
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD from University of Georgia in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
What 's a fun fact about you?
I went a performing arts high school, where I was a choir major.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Receiving the USDA 1890s Scholarship as an Undergrad.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
The department’s focus on Excellence, DEI, and Trust to make sure students have a meaningful education and to positively impact the community.
Alex Hollingsworth is an associate professor at The Ohio State University with joint appointments in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; the Department of Economics; and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a co-editor at the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and an associate editor at the Journal of Health Economics. Hollingsworth is an applied microeconomist who examines how regulations affect health with interests in environmental economics, population health, substance abuse, and access to care. His research has been published in outlets including American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, the Journal of Public Economics, and the Journal of Human Resources. His research has been covered by Scientific American, the Washington Post, CNBC, the Atlantic, VOX, and the Los Angeles Times. He also co-hosts a podcast, The Hidden Curriculum with Sebastian Tello-Trillo. The Hidden Curriculum aims to cover topics relevant to academic life with a focus on things that are not formally taught in graduate school.
Dr. Ando earned a B.A. in economics from Williams College in 1990 and a Ph.D. in economics from MIT in 1996. She was a Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics from 1999-2023 and before that she worked as a research Fellow in Resources for the Future, where she still has an affiliation as a University Fellow. She has had nearly $6 million in grants from sources including the NSF, EPA, and USDA-NIFA and has been published in journals such as Science, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. Ando is currently a Co-Editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, she has served as a handling editor for other major journals in her field, and she has worked on numerous review panels for the National Science Foundation. She has served as elected Board member and as elected Vice President of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists and is currently elected to the Board of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. She is a member of the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources for the National Academies of Sciences. She has provided expert advisory service to agencies and NGOs including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy in Illinois.
I am an Assistant Professor in the department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) at The Ohio State University. At AEDE, I aim to develop and implement research, teaching, and extension program that addresses critical agricultural and environmental economics issues related to the production, distribution, and accessibility of food and agricultural commodities through sustainable means. My doctoral dissertation quantifies the benefits of the federal Clean Water Act regulation in reducing nutrient pollution from large animal facilities, also known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). I also enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration and working with spatially explicit data (e.g., citizen science and remote sensing products). In an ongoing project I work with economists and ecologists to study the effectiveness of Conservation Reserve Program, a federal agricultural land retirement program, in supporting grassland bird biodiversity in the United States. I will be teaching an undergraduate-level course on agricultural policy in Spring 2024, where I look forward to introducing students to economic models that can examine how different domestic and international agricultural policies impact farmers in Ohio and elsewhere. My outreach effort will include publishing extension articles to timely communicate research findings with local stakeholders, as well as working with non-academic partners on- and off-campus to evaluate different agricultural best management practices to help farmers make better decisions for a more sustainable agriculture.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
I am originally from Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.
Previous Academic Institution(s):
I obtained my Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2021, and worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Cornell University for 2 years before joining AEDE.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I (embarrassingly) have limited hobbies, but I am obsessed with basketball and it will be awesome if there is a CFAES faculty team to compete in intramural sports.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
As a newbie to the profession I have yet to receive notable professional recognition, but I am proud of being selected as one of the mentees for a mentoring program, organized by the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, that aims to help develop skills to lead the economics profession to become more diverse and supportive.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
My research interests align well with many of the faculty members in the AEDE department. Various already well established extension programs under CFAES are also very appealing, including programs focusing on managing air emissions from animal facilities and providing information on agricultural best management practices. I look forward to working with experts across departments under CFAES, and there seems to be ample opportunities to work with off-campus partners as well, including Ohio NRCS and Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Anne Fitzpatrick is an Associate Professor of Development Economics in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. Fitzpatrick attended Cornell University where she received a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations in 2005. She then worked as a research assistant at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Fitzpatrick went on to receive a dual Ph.D. in Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan. Prior to her employment at Ohio State, Fitzpatrick worked at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Fitzpatrick is an affiliate for Innovations for Poverty Action and an invited researcher for several initiatives for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). Her research focuses on health and education topics in developing countries. She frequently collaborates with governments on conducting large-scale randomized evaluations of policies related to improving the quality of public health services. She has a particular emphasis in her work on topics related to women and children, including studies of childcare. She has conducted fieldwork in Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, India, and Pakistan. She teaches courses in econometrics, data analysis, and quantitative methods, as well as development economics.
My research interests include food security, food access, trust, game theory, behavioral economics, and spatial econometrics. I have previously conducted research geared towards improving food insecure residents’ access to healthy foods. Broadly, I am interested in theorizing, visualizing, and modeling data that improves community well‐being. My job market paper focuses on analyzing food initiatives through Trust Games geared towards improving food access across varying levels of residents’ trust using a Bayesian game theory model.
My teaching objective is to build students up to meet the challenges of new information, past the scope of the courses I teach. Overall, I plan to serve as a guide and mentor for my students to improve their intuition in solving economic problems they may face in future courses or in their career. I plan to keep their attention on theory or econometric topics by providing real world examples and scenarios that can be applicable to student’s everyday life. I will engage in active listening to my students and optimally pace the course so that it is academically challenging but not overwhelming them.
My outreach objectives include wanting to help the department provide a culture where every undergraduate student, graduate student, professor, and stakeholder feels comfortable and included to ensure all parties are successful. I firmly believe this requires creating an authentic community that focuses listening, finding common ground, and trust amongst everyone.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Savannah, Georgia
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD from University of Georgia in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
What 's a fun fact about you?
I went a performing arts high school, where I was a choir major.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Receiving the USDA 1890s Scholarship as an Undergrad.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
The department’s focus on Excellence, DEI, and Trust to make sure students have a meaningful education and to positively impact the community.
Alex Hollingsworth is an associate professor at The Ohio State University with joint appointments in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; the Department of Economics; and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a co-editor at the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and an associate editor at the Journal of Health Economics. Hollingsworth is an applied microeconomist who examines how regulations affect health with interests in environmental economics, population health, substance abuse, and access to care. His research has been published in outlets including American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, the Journal of Public Economics, and the Journal of Human Resources. His research has been covered by Scientific American, the Washington Post, CNBC, the Atlantic, VOX, and the Los Angeles Times. He also co-hosts a podcast, The Hidden Curriculum with Sebastian Tello-Trillo. The Hidden Curriculum aims to cover topics relevant to academic life with a focus on things that are not formally taught in graduate school.
Anne Fitzpatrick is an Associate Professor of Development Economics in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. Fitzpatrick attended Cornell University where she received a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations in 2005. She then worked as a research assistant at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Fitzpatrick went on to receive a dual Ph.D. in Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan. Prior to her employment at Ohio State, Fitzpatrick worked at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Fitzpatrick is an affiliate for Innovations for Poverty Action and an invited researcher for several initiatives for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). Her research focuses on health and education topics in developing countries. She frequently collaborates with governments on conducting large-scale randomized evaluations of policies related to improving the quality of public health services. She has a particular emphasis in her work on topics related to women and children, including studies of childcare. She has conducted fieldwork in Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, India, and Pakistan. She teaches courses in econometrics, data analysis, and quantitative methods, as well as development economics.
My research interests include food security, food access, trust, game theory, behavioral economics, and spatial econometrics. I have previously conducted research geared towards improving food insecure residents’ access to healthy foods. Broadly, I am interested in theorizing, visualizing, and modeling data that improves community well‐being. My job market paper focuses on analyzing food initiatives through Trust Games geared towards improving food access across varying levels of residents’ trust using a Bayesian game theory model.
My teaching objective is to build students up to meet the challenges of new information, past the scope of the courses I teach. Overall, I plan to serve as a guide and mentor for my students to improve their intuition in solving economic problems they may face in future courses or in their career. I plan to keep their attention on theory or econometric topics by providing real world examples and scenarios that can be applicable to student’s everyday life. I will engage in active listening to my students and optimally pace the course so that it is academically challenging but not overwhelming them.
My outreach objectives include wanting to help the department provide a culture where every undergraduate student, graduate student, professor, and stakeholder feels comfortable and included to ensure all parties are successful. I firmly believe this requires creating an authentic community that focuses listening, finding common ground, and trust amongst everyone.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Savannah, Georgia
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD from University of Georgia in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
What 's a fun fact about you?
I went a performing arts high school, where I was a choir major.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Receiving the USDA 1890s Scholarship as an Undergrad.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
The department’s focus on Excellence, DEI, and Trust to make sure students have a meaningful education and to positively impact the community.
Alex Hollingsworth is an associate professor at The Ohio State University with joint appointments in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; the Department of Economics; and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a co-editor at the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and an associate editor at the Journal of Health Economics. Hollingsworth is an applied microeconomist who examines how regulations affect health with interests in environmental economics, population health, substance abuse, and access to care. His research has been published in outlets including American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, the Journal of Public Economics, and the Journal of Human Resources. His research has been covered by Scientific American, the Washington Post, CNBC, the Atlantic, VOX, and the Los Angeles Times. He also co-hosts a podcast, The Hidden Curriculum with Sebastian Tello-Trillo. The Hidden Curriculum aims to cover topics relevant to academic life with a focus on things that are not formally taught in graduate school.
Alex Hollingsworth is an associate professor at The Ohio State University with joint appointments in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; the Department of Economics; and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a co-editor at the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and an associate editor at the Journal of Health Economics. Hollingsworth is an applied microeconomist who examines how regulations affect health with interests in environmental economics, population health, substance abuse, and access to care. His research has been published in outlets including American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, the Journal of Public Economics, and the Journal of Human Resources. His research has been covered by Scientific American, the Washington Post, CNBC, the Atlantic, VOX, and the Los Angeles Times. He also co-hosts a podcast, The Hidden Curriculum with Sebastian Tello-Trillo. The Hidden Curriculum aims to cover topics relevant to academic life with a focus on things that are not formally taught in graduate school.
Animal Sciences
I am an Assistant Professor in Ruminant Physiology at the Department of Animal Sciences with a 60% research, 40% teaching appointment. My research program is focused on reproductive biology and endocrinology using primarily cattle and sheep to study basic and translational aspects relevant to agricultural and biomedical sciences. The overarching goal of my research is to improve reproductive efficiency in ruminants and reproductive health in humans by investigating the interactions between ovary, uterus, and conceptus during pregnancy establishment (embryo and placenta development, maternal recognition of pregnancy) and pregnancy complications (pregnancy loss, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth) to optimize reproductive outcomes and offspring health.
I was born and raised in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil) where my family has a dairy and beef operation. In addition to cattle, breeding and showing horses inspired me to pursue a career in animal production and health. After I obtained my DVM degree from the Universidade Federal de Vicosa (Brazil), I was a researcher at the Eutheria Foundation for three years until I initiated my PhD in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I recently moved to Ohio with my dog, Porter, and over 50 houseplants. I enjoy playing volleyball, running, and hiking.
I am an Assistant Professor/Swine Health Extension Specialist at the Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Food Animal Health. I hold a PhD degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota (2019), a MS in Animal Pathology (2015) and a DVM (2012) from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, located in Brazil, country where I was born and raised. I have work experience with diagnosis of animal diseases, with focus on swine infectious diseases. My research has been developed with focus on swine, ranging from basic science such as pathogenesis of intestinal infectious agents, to epidemiological aspects of swine infectious diseases and field applied research, such as development of diagnostic tools for endemic and emerging swine infectious diseases. As a swine health extension specialist, I hope to help producers to address their needs.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD from University of Minnesota
Most recently at Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Travelling is one of my passions, especially if it involves visiting a local cafe, hiking and any kind of learning experience!
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
‘Honorable Mention’ in the University of Minnesota’s 2021 Best Dissertation Competition for the Biological and Medical Sciences.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
The Ohio State University is renowned worldwide for its distinguished teaching, research, and outreach programs and I wanted to become a part of this rich history of success!
I am an Assistant Professor in Ruminant Physiology at the Department of Animal Sciences with a 60% research, 40% teaching appointment. My research program is focused on reproductive biology and endocrinology using primarily cattle and sheep to study basic and translational aspects relevant to agricultural and biomedical sciences. The overarching goal of my research is to improve reproductive efficiency in ruminants and reproductive health in humans by investigating the interactions between ovary, uterus, and conceptus during pregnancy establishment (embryo and placenta development, maternal recognition of pregnancy) and pregnancy complications (pregnancy loss, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth) to optimize reproductive outcomes and offspring health.
I was born and raised in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil) where my family has a dairy and beef operation. In addition to cattle, breeding and showing horses inspired me to pursue a career in animal production and health. After I obtained my DVM degree from the Universidade Federal de Vicosa (Brazil), I was a researcher at the Eutheria Foundation for three years until I initiated my PhD in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I recently moved to Ohio with my dog, Porter, and over 50 houseplants. I enjoy playing volleyball, running, and hiking.
I am an Assistant Professor/Swine Health Extension Specialist at the Department of Animal Sciences and Center for Food Animal Health. I hold a PhD degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota (2019), a MS in Animal Pathology (2015) and a DVM (2012) from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, located in Brazil, country where I was born and raised. I have work experience with diagnosis of animal diseases, with focus on swine infectious diseases. My research has been developed with focus on swine, ranging from basic science such as pathogenesis of intestinal infectious agents, to epidemiological aspects of swine infectious diseases and field applied research, such as development of diagnostic tools for endemic and emerging swine infectious diseases. As a swine health extension specialist, I hope to help producers to address their needs.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD from University of Minnesota
Most recently at Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Brazil.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Travelling is one of my passions, especially if it involves visiting a local cafe, hiking and any kind of learning experience!
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
‘Honorable Mention’ in the University of Minnesota’s 2021 Best Dissertation Competition for the Biological and Medical Sciences.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
The Ohio State University is renowned worldwide for its distinguished teaching, research, and outreach programs and I wanted to become a part of this rich history of success!
Entomology
Sam started as an Assistant Professor of Forest Entomology at OSU in July 2023. After completing his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Minnesota, Sam spent two years as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. From 2020‐2023, Sam was an Assistant Professor of Insect Ecology in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University.
Sam’s research group (Landscaped Ecosystem and Forest Entomology Lab; LEAFE Lab) studies the ecology and management of insects that feed on trees. They work on a variety of topics across multiple spatial and temporal scales, ranging from biological control of ornamental pests to macroscale ecology of invading forest insects. Most projects are aimed at understanding drivers of the arrival, establishment, and spread of non‐native insects (invading species and imported biological control agents), with a particular emphasis on mitigating ecological and economic impacts of invaders. Other themes in the lab include the spatial ecology of arthropods, tree and insect responses to climate change, and ecoinformatics.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Tahoe Vista, CA
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Entomology, University of Minnesota ‐ Twin Cities, MN
Most recently in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Aside from work, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, playing soccer, and hiking with the family dogs.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I was very proud when I received my first faculty job offer, which I still value as a special form of recognition.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
Many reasons! Two main ones: I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the many talented and kind people in the Department of Entomology (and several others on campus!) and living in Columbus means it will be much easier to visit family.
Dr. Shaohui Wu was born in Hubei Province, China and obtained her B.S. in Plant Protection and M.S. in Zoology/ Entomology at Jiangxi Agricultural University (Nanchang, China). She obtained her Ph.D. in turfgrass pest management in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech. After graduation, she worked as a postdoc researcher for several years, including a short experience on pest management of small grains and canola at Montana State University, research on turfgrass pest management at Rutgers University, and recent work on pest management of cotton and pecan at University of Georgia (started as a postdoc researcher and then worked as an Assistant Research Scientist). In June, 2023, Dr. Wu joined The Ohio State University as an Assistant Professor of turfgrass health, with split appointments in the Departments of Entomology (60%) and Plant Pathology (40%). She is fascinated about returning to turfgrass and is interested in developing research and extension programs promoting the environmental sustainability in turfgrass pest and disease management. Meanwhile, she will instruct the courses on turfgrass pests and diseases for her teaching duties. Major achievements of Dr. Wu include the grantsmanship for a total of one million dollars in external funds (including a USDA-NIFA-AFRI grant she brings to OSU), one patent (plus a pending patent), authorship of three book chapters and 54 peer-reviewed journal publications (including 15 papers on turfgrass research) and 11 trade journal articles on turfgrass. Besides work, Dr. Wu likes outdoor activities and enjoys the time with her families. Currently, the Wu’s family is expecting the arrival of the 5th member!
Sam started as an Assistant Professor of Forest Entomology at OSU in July 2023. After completing his Ph.D. in Entomology at the University of Minnesota, Sam spent two years as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. From 2020‐2023, Sam was an Assistant Professor of Insect Ecology in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University.
Sam’s research group (Landscaped Ecosystem and Forest Entomology Lab; LEAFE Lab) studies the ecology and management of insects that feed on trees. They work on a variety of topics across multiple spatial and temporal scales, ranging from biological control of ornamental pests to macroscale ecology of invading forest insects. Most projects are aimed at understanding drivers of the arrival, establishment, and spread of non‐native insects (invading species and imported biological control agents), with a particular emphasis on mitigating ecological and economic impacts of invaders. Other themes in the lab include the spatial ecology of arthropods, tree and insect responses to climate change, and ecoinformatics.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Tahoe Vista, CA
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Entomology, University of Minnesota ‐ Twin Cities, MN
Most recently in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology at Mississippi State University.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Aside from work, I enjoy spending time with my family, running, playing soccer, and hiking with the family dogs.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I was very proud when I received my first faculty job offer, which I still value as a special form of recognition.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
Many reasons! Two main ones: I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the many talented and kind people in the Department of Entomology (and several others on campus!) and living in Columbus means it will be much easier to visit family.
Dr. Shaohui Wu was born in Hubei Province, China and obtained her B.S. in Plant Protection and M.S. in Zoology/ Entomology at Jiangxi Agricultural University (Nanchang, China). She obtained her Ph.D. in turfgrass pest management in the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech. After graduation, she worked as a postdoc researcher for several years, including a short experience on pest management of small grains and canola at Montana State University, research on turfgrass pest management at Rutgers University, and recent work on pest management of cotton and pecan at University of Georgia (started as a postdoc researcher and then worked as an Assistant Research Scientist). In June, 2023, Dr. Wu joined The Ohio State University as an Assistant Professor of turfgrass health, with split appointments in the Departments of Entomology (60%) and Plant Pathology (40%). She is fascinated about returning to turfgrass and is interested in developing research and extension programs promoting the environmental sustainability in turfgrass pest and disease management. Meanwhile, she will instruct the courses on turfgrass pests and diseases for her teaching duties. Major achievements of Dr. Wu include the grantsmanship for a total of one million dollars in external funds (including a USDA-NIFA-AFRI grant she brings to OSU), one patent (plus a pending patent), authorship of three book chapters and 54 peer-reviewed journal publications (including 15 papers on turfgrass research) and 11 trade journal articles on turfgrass. Besides work, Dr. Wu likes outdoor activities and enjoys the time with her families. Currently, the Wu’s family is expecting the arrival of the 5th member!
Extension
Cynthia is an educator and researcher with a profound passion for advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Her current research interest revolves around the development and assessment of informal STEM programs. Recognizing the limitations of some existing STEM programs that are focused on siloed material, Cynthia is dedicated to exploring integrated STEM learning, where diverse disciplines come together to create more meaningful learning experiences.
A critical aspect of her outreach centers around ensuring that STEM education is accessible to all. She firmly believes that every young person should have the opportunity to explore their interests in STEM and acquire the necessary tools and skills to thrive in a future shaped by STEM advancement. As a result, her research interest also extends to accessible STEM education, including online education, which recognizes the potential of digital platforms to reach and impact previously underserved communities.
Cynthia is enthusiastic about creating inclusive learning environments that engage and motivate youth. At the heart of her dream goal lies the belief that evidence-based STEM education has the potential to empower young minds, helping them to thrive and to transform society with innovative and sustainable solutions. By integrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles alongside cutting-edge technologies and evidence-based best practices in STEM education, she aims to empower and uplift the next generation of thinkers and doers who can bring about positive changes in their communities.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Taichung, Taiwan
Previous Academic Institution(s):
I obtained my PhD in 2016 from Ohio State University in Biomedical Research with an Emphasis in Immunology
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I am an avid crafter! I like to sew, knit and crochet and recently have been making specialty decorated cookies for bridal showers and baby showers.
My educational and professional background has largely focused on plant/ landscape ecology, plant-insect interactions, natural resource conservation, sustainable agriculture, public health entomology, and biostatistics. I have taught undergraduate courses related to these subjects and mentored student research for over ten years. My past research has concerned pest management, pollination, and propagation of specialty crops, including cucurbits and hops, as well as environmental analysis, natural history of plants, and community engagement with green infrastructure. I am very interested in the intersection of sustainable agriculture and natural resources conservation as a focus for future research and extension activities.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
I grew up in rural Pike County, Ohio and graduated from Piketon High School
Previous Academic Institution(s):
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Ph.D. Entomology, 2012 - Dissertation: “Integrating sustainable pest management and pollinator conservation efforts in cucurbit production systems”
- Graduate Certificate College Teaching and Learning, 2012
- Graduate Certificate Applied Statistics, 2011
- M.S. Entomology, 2010 - Thesis: “Mesoscale spatial and temporal distribution of Lutzomyia spp. (Diptera: Psychodidae) in deciduous habitats of the eastern United States”
Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH
- B.S. Biology, 2007
- B.S. Natural Sciences, Chemistry Concentration, 2007
My most recent affiliation has been as Associate Professor of Botany at Shawnee State University. I have previously served as Director of Upward Bound programs at the same institution and have also taught at Marietta College, Unity College, Ashland Community and Technical College, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College. I began my professional career as an Ohio State Park Naturalist and student Research Assistant at the OSU South Center at Piketon.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I serve on several volunteer boards which focus on the promotion of natural history, sustainable agriculture, and recreational tourism opportunities. I enjoy many outdoor adventure activities, growing produce for market, playing 12 string guitar, and dabbling in nature photography.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
In recognition of my community service activities, I was awarded the Shannon Lawson Service award at SSU in 2020 and a Jenco award through the Foundation of Appalachian Ohio in 2022.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am choosing to join the CFAES faculty as the mission areas to sustain life align with my interests and pursuits related to community service and understanding the natural world.
I am an Assistant Professor - Ecosystems Services field specialist in the Department of Extension at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. My research and outreach areas include Field- and watershed scale modeling of hydrology, water quality, and soil health, Agroecosystem resilience - Ecosystems services, Farmer-friendly decision tools, Climate change and land cover land use change, Application of remote sensing and GIS in agriculture, Carbon credits and markets. My research focused on
- Assessing the impacts of different agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on ecosystem services (such as carbon sequestration, soil health, and water quality) under current and future climate.
- Farm-to-watershed scale decision tools such as
- USDA Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) for locating in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices,
- NRCS Stewardship Tool for Environmental Performance (STEP) for informing payment for ecosystem services (soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, etc.,),
- Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for evaluating effects of Ag conservation practices on water quality and soil health,
- NOAA’s Ohio Applicator Forecast tool for managing farm nutrient applications based on forecasted risk of runoff.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Jamkhed, Maharashtra, India (18.72°N 75.32°E)
Previous Academic Institution(s):
B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering, Marathwada Krishi (Agricultural) Vidyapeeth (University), Parbhani, India
M.Tech. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, India
Ph.D. in Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, India
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I love travelling and cooking.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Receiving the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) post-doctoral fellowship in 2019.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I choose to join the CFAES faculty because I am excited to work within one of the best extension teams among all the land grand institutions. The opportunity will provide me a platform to develop an Extension program that caters to the information and training needs of county-based Extension educators, producers, landowners, policymakers, and professionals from state, federal, for-profit, and non-profit organizations related
Cynthia is an educator and researcher with a profound passion for advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Her current research interest revolves around the development and assessment of informal STEM programs. Recognizing the limitations of some existing STEM programs that are focused on siloed material, Cynthia is dedicated to exploring integrated STEM learning, where diverse disciplines come together to create more meaningful learning experiences.
A critical aspect of her outreach centers around ensuring that STEM education is accessible to all. She firmly believes that every young person should have the opportunity to explore their interests in STEM and acquire the necessary tools and skills to thrive in a future shaped by STEM advancement. As a result, her research interest also extends to accessible STEM education, including online education, which recognizes the potential of digital platforms to reach and impact previously underserved communities.
Cynthia is enthusiastic about creating inclusive learning environments that engage and motivate youth. At the heart of her dream goal lies the belief that evidence-based STEM education has the potential to empower young minds, helping them to thrive and to transform society with innovative and sustainable solutions. By integrating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles alongside cutting-edge technologies and evidence-based best practices in STEM education, she aims to empower and uplift the next generation of thinkers and doers who can bring about positive changes in their communities.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Taichung, Taiwan
Previous Academic Institution(s):
I obtained my PhD in 2016 from Ohio State University in Biomedical Research with an Emphasis in Immunology
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I am an avid crafter! I like to sew, knit and crochet and recently have been making specialty decorated cookies for bridal showers and baby showers.
My educational and professional background has largely focused on plant/ landscape ecology, plant-insect interactions, natural resource conservation, sustainable agriculture, public health entomology, and biostatistics. I have taught undergraduate courses related to these subjects and mentored student research for over ten years. My past research has concerned pest management, pollination, and propagation of specialty crops, including cucurbits and hops, as well as environmental analysis, natural history of plants, and community engagement with green infrastructure. I am very interested in the intersection of sustainable agriculture and natural resources conservation as a focus for future research and extension activities.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
I grew up in rural Pike County, Ohio and graduated from Piketon High School
Previous Academic Institution(s):
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
- Ph.D. Entomology, 2012 - Dissertation: “Integrating sustainable pest management and pollinator conservation efforts in cucurbit production systems”
- Graduate Certificate College Teaching and Learning, 2012
- Graduate Certificate Applied Statistics, 2011
- M.S. Entomology, 2010 - Thesis: “Mesoscale spatial and temporal distribution of Lutzomyia spp. (Diptera: Psychodidae) in deciduous habitats of the eastern United States”
Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH
- B.S. Biology, 2007
- B.S. Natural Sciences, Chemistry Concentration, 2007
My most recent affiliation has been as Associate Professor of Botany at Shawnee State University. I have previously served as Director of Upward Bound programs at the same institution and have also taught at Marietta College, Unity College, Ashland Community and Technical College, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College. I began my professional career as an Ohio State Park Naturalist and student Research Assistant at the OSU South Center at Piketon.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I serve on several volunteer boards which focus on the promotion of natural history, sustainable agriculture, and recreational tourism opportunities. I enjoy many outdoor adventure activities, growing produce for market, playing 12 string guitar, and dabbling in nature photography.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
In recognition of my community service activities, I was awarded the Shannon Lawson Service award at SSU in 2020 and a Jenco award through the Foundation of Appalachian Ohio in 2022.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am choosing to join the CFAES faculty as the mission areas to sustain life align with my interests and pursuits related to community service and understanding the natural world.
I am an Assistant Professor - Ecosystems Services field specialist in the Department of Extension at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. My research and outreach areas include Field- and watershed scale modeling of hydrology, water quality, and soil health, Agroecosystem resilience - Ecosystems services, Farmer-friendly decision tools, Climate change and land cover land use change, Application of remote sensing and GIS in agriculture, Carbon credits and markets. My research focused on
- Assessing the impacts of different agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on ecosystem services (such as carbon sequestration, soil health, and water quality) under current and future climate.
- Farm-to-watershed scale decision tools such as
- USDA Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) for locating in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices,
- NRCS Stewardship Tool for Environmental Performance (STEP) for informing payment for ecosystem services (soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, etc.,),
- Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for evaluating effects of Ag conservation practices on water quality and soil health,
- NOAA’s Ohio Applicator Forecast tool for managing farm nutrient applications based on forecasted risk of runoff.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Jamkhed, Maharashtra, India (18.72°N 75.32°E)
Previous Academic Institution(s):
B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering, Marathwada Krishi (Agricultural) Vidyapeeth (University), Parbhani, India
M.Tech. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, India
Ph.D. in Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, India
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I love travelling and cooking.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Receiving the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) post-doctoral fellowship in 2019.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I choose to join the CFAES faculty because I am excited to work within one of the best extension teams among all the land grand institutions. The opportunity will provide me a platform to develop an Extension program that caters to the information and training needs of county-based Extension educators, producers, landowners, policymakers, and professionals from state, federal, for-profit, and non-profit organizations related
I am an Assistant Professor - Ecosystems Services field specialist in the Department of Extension at the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. My research and outreach areas include Field- and watershed scale modeling of hydrology, water quality, and soil health, Agroecosystem resilience - Ecosystems services, Farmer-friendly decision tools, Climate change and land cover land use change, Application of remote sensing and GIS in agriculture, Carbon credits and markets. My research focused on
- Assessing the impacts of different agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on ecosystem services (such as carbon sequestration, soil health, and water quality) under current and future climate.
- Farm-to-watershed scale decision tools such as
- USDA Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) for locating in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices,
- NRCS Stewardship Tool for Environmental Performance (STEP) for informing payment for ecosystem services (soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, etc.,),
- Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for evaluating effects of Ag conservation practices on water quality and soil health,
- NOAA’s Ohio Applicator Forecast tool for managing farm nutrient applications based on forecasted risk of runoff.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Jamkhed, Maharashtra, India (18.72°N 75.32°E)
Previous Academic Institution(s):
B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering, Marathwada Krishi (Agricultural) Vidyapeeth (University), Parbhani, India
M.Tech. in Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, India
Ph.D. in Hydrology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, India
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I love travelling and cooking.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
Receiving the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) post-doctoral fellowship in 2019.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I choose to join the CFAES faculty because I am excited to work within one of the best extension teams among all the land grand institutions. The opportunity will provide me a platform to develop an Extension program that caters to the information and training needs of county-based Extension educators, producers, landowners, policymakers, and professionals from state, federal, for-profit, and non-profit organizations related
Food Agricultural and Biological Engineering
I am a data and modeling enthusiast. During my academic journey, I have always leveraged the power of publicly available data to tackle environmental problems and offer innovative management and policy solutions. My training has largely focused on hydrological responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances in the environment. Specifically, my research combines spatial and temporal statistics, GIS technologies, machine learning, and watershed modeling to improve our understanding of the processes and drivers influencing the quality of our water resources on multiple scales. I am very interested in finding sustainable solutions to how our environment is responding to the changing climate and recovering from the combined disturbance events (i.e., flood, drought, wildfire, and anthropogenic activities) happening consecutively in different scales.
Hometown:
I grew up in a small farm in Sao Vicente the Paula, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Previous Academic Institution(s):
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR – Postdoctoral Scholar, 2021-2023 – I worked investigating the effectiveness of riparian harvesting prescriptions in Northern California, as well as in multiple projects related to wildfire and water security in the western US.
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ – Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering, 2021 – Dissertation: “Nutrient Load Modeling in the US: Novel Considerations for Future Management
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY – M.A. in Physical Geography, 2018 – Thesis: “Accounting for Spatial Autocorrelation in Modeling the Distribution of Water Quality Variables”
Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Brazil – B.S. in Forest Engineering, 2015 – Thesis: “Forest biophysical parameters for harvesting planning through LiDAR in Corvallis, Oregon, USA
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I love outdoor activities, principally the ones that include hiking in forested lands and enjoying in the water. I also have an admiration for music and take the risk of singing and playing piano and guitar sometimes.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
In my first semester as a Ph.D. student I was able to write a proposal that was awarded by the American Association of American Women (AAUW). I am very proud of being supported by these amazing community of women that believed in my potential. I am also proud of being selected as a 2020 Summer fellow together with the Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research- CIGLR at the University of Michigan with NOAA – Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
As an early career scientist, I chose CFAES because I believe that the college has the resources, network, and the support I need to be successful as a scientist who cares about the sustainability of water resources. I am very proud of choosing Ohio State and being part of a group of distinguished and respected group of faculty who has been critical to the research driving innovative management strategies and policies for the future of our Great Lakes region.
I am a data and modeling enthusiast. During my academic journey, I have always leveraged the power of publicly available data to tackle environmental problems and offer innovative management and policy solutions. My training has largely focused on hydrological responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances in the environment. Specifically, my research combines spatial and temporal statistics, GIS technologies, machine learning, and watershed modeling to improve our understanding of the processes and drivers influencing the quality of our water resources on multiple scales. I am very interested in finding sustainable solutions to how our environment is responding to the changing climate and recovering from the combined disturbance events (i.e., flood, drought, wildfire, and anthropogenic activities) happening consecutively in different scales.
Hometown:
I grew up in a small farm in Sao Vicente the Paula, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Previous Academic Institution(s):
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR – Postdoctoral Scholar, 2021-2023 – I worked investigating the effectiveness of riparian harvesting prescriptions in Northern California, as well as in multiple projects related to wildfire and water security in the western US.
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ – Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering, 2021 – Dissertation: “Nutrient Load Modeling in the US: Novel Considerations for Future Management
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY – M.A. in Physical Geography, 2018 – Thesis: “Accounting for Spatial Autocorrelation in Modeling the Distribution of Water Quality Variables”
Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Brazil – B.S. in Forest Engineering, 2015 – Thesis: “Forest biophysical parameters for harvesting planning through LiDAR in Corvallis, Oregon, USA
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I love outdoor activities, principally the ones that include hiking in forested lands and enjoying in the water. I also have an admiration for music and take the risk of singing and playing piano and guitar sometimes.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
In my first semester as a Ph.D. student I was able to write a proposal that was awarded by the American Association of American Women (AAUW). I am very proud of being supported by these amazing community of women that believed in my potential. I am also proud of being selected as a 2020 Summer fellow together with the Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research- CIGLR at the University of Michigan with NOAA – Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
As an early career scientist, I chose CFAES because I believe that the college has the resources, network, and the support I need to be successful as a scientist who cares about the sustainability of water resources. I am very proud of choosing Ohio State and being part of a group of distinguished and respected group of faculty who has been critical to the research driving innovative management strategies and policies for the future of our Great Lakes region.
Horticulture and Crop Science
Alyssa Essman is an Assistant Professor in the department of Horticulture and Crop Science. She received her B.S. degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from The Ohio State University in 2015. She obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture and Crop Science with a specialization in weed science from The Ohio State University in 2018 and 2022, respectively. As a weed scientist, she seeks to better understand the role of integrated pest management strategies in agronomic cropping systems. Specific interests include the use of cover crops for weed management and the various impacts of herbicide‐resistant weeds. Recent research has focused on cover crop management factors and their influence on weed populations. This work informs her extension activities, which aim to provide growers with current recommendations through various outputs. Teaching activities include the instruction of HCS 5422, Biology and Management of Weeds and Invasive Plants. She is also working to develop a new class which will focus on how herbicides interfere with plant growth and their use in various cropping systems.
Hometown:
Circleville, Ohio,
Previous Academic Institution(s):
I obtained my PhD at The Ohio State University in the department of Horticulture and Crop Science
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, especially hiking and gardening. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my friends, family, and dog.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
A recent professional accomplishment of which I am proud is being invited to serve as a co‐host for a podcast with other weed scientists across the US.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I’m very grateful for the opportunity to continue working at this institution as a CFAES faculty member. I really enjoy working with undergraduate students in the lab and in class, and I’m excited to continue doing so as a lecturer and researcher. The state support within Ohio for extension is second to none, and I’m proud to join this strong network of educators.
Research
- Steering the overarching direction of the OPGC, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of the floriculture and nursery industries, associated scientific and breeding communities, germplasm acquisition, preservation, and characterization of genetic diversity within select species for future use benefitting humankind.
- Building a research program with a focus on population genetics, seed biology, plant stress response, and ornamental plant breeding.
Teaching
- Designing relevant courses to strengthen the core of the undergraduate and graduate student educational experience.
Extension
- Supporting programing that emphasizes the management of genetic resources for herbaceous ornamental plants.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, China
Previous Academic Institution(s):
2012-2016 Ph.D. - Horticultural Science, Washington State University, USA
2009-2012 M.S. - Crop Germplasm Resources, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
2005-2009 B.S. - Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Hebei, China
Professional experience:
2020-2023 Assistant Research Professor, Department of Horticulture, Washington State University
2016-2020 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Horticulture, Washington State University
2012-2016 Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, Washington State University
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
In my free time, I enjoy the time with my husband and kids. With two active boys, we spend a lot of time outdoors playing sports and games. I also enjoy gardening and hiking.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am thrilled about joining the CFAES. The CFAES is renowned for its leading education, research and extension programs, encompassing a wide range of disciplines within food, agriculture and environmental sciences. It is an exceptional community to advance knowledge, address global challenges, as well as make a positive and lasting impact on the next generation of leaders. This unique opportunity really excites me.
Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Sadre was a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University where she previously was also affiliated with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and the Department of Horticulture. In East Lansing, she focused on the biosynthesis of a wide range of plant natural products including alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids for applications in medicine, food, agriculture, and bioenergy. Prior to these roles, Dr. Sadre was a researcher and instructor at RWTH Aachen University (Germany) and independently collaborated with Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre (UK). She received her Dipl.-Biol. (MSc) and Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) from the RWTH Aachen University (Germany). Her doctoral thesis focused on the biochemistry and engineered accumulation of the antioxidant vitamin E in rapeseed (Canola) oil for human health.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Sadre "built a unique and multidisciplinary expertise that spans molecular biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and analytical chemistry". She has also served as a research mentor to dozens of bright young students and plans to advise many more.
Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Sessoms was a Researcher in the Turfgrass Science Group for the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. Among her current research interests are: plant interactions with soil micro-organisms; soil nitrogen conservation in turfgrass systems; and maintenance of ecosystem services under reduced input management. Prior to this role she held postdoctoral fellowships at the Biotechnology Institute (2014-2016) and the Plant Pathology department (2013-2014) both at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, Dr. Sessoms was a postdoctoral fellow at the Boyce Thompson Institute (2009-2012) an independent research institute located on Cornell University’s campus.
Dr. Sessoms received her Ph.D. at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) under the advisement of Dr. Didier Reinhardt. Her dissertation focused on Genetic and nutritional regulation of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis between Petunia hybrida and Glomus intraradices - 2009. You can learn more about her thesis through this publication. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Sessoms received her M.S. (Population and Ecosystem Biology - 2003) & B.A.Sc. (Organism’s Biology - 2001) from the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI, France).
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Previous Academic Institution(s):
Ph.D. and Post-doctoral Research Associate (current position) at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Personal and professional fulfillment to me comes from balancing work, community, family, and faith. My hobbies span from reading
leadership-related books to discovering new places and food systems to volunteering in community efforts to riding bicycles.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
The professional recognitions I am most proud of are those that use collaborative, action-oriented, and integrated approaches to support and impact the community of stakeholders. One example is an international outreach initiative that I co-lead called Agro Connection. The initiative aimed to connect US and Central/South American agricultural stakeholders through leadership and extension events, farm-to-farm tours, podcast episodes, YouTube videos. This initiative won three national awards - one by the American Society of Agronomy Extension Education Community.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am personally and professionally inspired by exploring opportunities for advancing technical and science-based knowledge and skills so that together we are equipped to promote resilient food systems. While several motivating factors led me to choose CFAES, the college mission and its alignment with my vision of a better world for those that we serve ignited my desire to contribute to the vibrant center of research, teaching, and extension excellence that the Ohio State University represents.
Alyssa Essman is an Assistant Professor in the department of Horticulture and Crop Science. She received her B.S. degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from The Ohio State University in 2015. She obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture and Crop Science with a specialization in weed science from The Ohio State University in 2018 and 2022, respectively. As a weed scientist, she seeks to better understand the role of integrated pest management strategies in agronomic cropping systems. Specific interests include the use of cover crops for weed management and the various impacts of herbicide‐resistant weeds. Recent research has focused on cover crop management factors and their influence on weed populations. This work informs her extension activities, which aim to provide growers with current recommendations through various outputs. Teaching activities include the instruction of HCS 5422, Biology and Management of Weeds and Invasive Plants. She is also working to develop a new class which will focus on how herbicides interfere with plant growth and their use in various cropping systems.
Hometown:
Circleville, Ohio,
Previous Academic Institution(s):
I obtained my PhD at The Ohio State University in the department of Horticulture and Crop Science
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, especially hiking and gardening. I also enjoy reading and spending time with my friends, family, and dog.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
A recent professional accomplishment of which I am proud is being invited to serve as a co‐host for a podcast with other weed scientists across the US.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I’m very grateful for the opportunity to continue working at this institution as a CFAES faculty member. I really enjoy working with undergraduate students in the lab and in class, and I’m excited to continue doing so as a lecturer and researcher. The state support within Ohio for extension is second to none, and I’m proud to join this strong network of educators.
Research
- Steering the overarching direction of the OPGC, with an emphasis on addressing the needs of the floriculture and nursery industries, associated scientific and breeding communities, germplasm acquisition, preservation, and characterization of genetic diversity within select species for future use benefitting humankind.
- Building a research program with a focus on population genetics, seed biology, plant stress response, and ornamental plant breeding.
Teaching
- Designing relevant courses to strengthen the core of the undergraduate and graduate student educational experience.
Extension
- Supporting programing that emphasizes the management of genetic resources for herbaceous ornamental plants.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Shijiazhuang in Hebei Province, China
Previous Academic Institution(s):
2012-2016 Ph.D. - Horticultural Science, Washington State University, USA
2009-2012 M.S. - Crop Germplasm Resources, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
2005-2009 B.S. - Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Hebei, China
Professional experience:
2020-2023 Assistant Research Professor, Department of Horticulture, Washington State University
2016-2020 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Horticulture, Washington State University
2012-2016 Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, Washington State University
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
In my free time, I enjoy the time with my husband and kids. With two active boys, we spend a lot of time outdoors playing sports and games. I also enjoy gardening and hiking.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am thrilled about joining the CFAES. The CFAES is renowned for its leading education, research and extension programs, encompassing a wide range of disciplines within food, agriculture and environmental sciences. It is an exceptional community to advance knowledge, address global challenges, as well as make a positive and lasting impact on the next generation of leaders. This unique opportunity really excites me.
Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Sadre was a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University where she previously was also affiliated with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and the Department of Horticulture. In East Lansing, she focused on the biosynthesis of a wide range of plant natural products including alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids for applications in medicine, food, agriculture, and bioenergy. Prior to these roles, Dr. Sadre was a researcher and instructor at RWTH Aachen University (Germany) and independently collaborated with Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre (UK). She received her Dipl.-Biol. (MSc) and Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) from the RWTH Aachen University (Germany). Her doctoral thesis focused on the biochemistry and engineered accumulation of the antioxidant vitamin E in rapeseed (Canola) oil for human health.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Sadre "built a unique and multidisciplinary expertise that spans molecular biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and analytical chemistry". She has also served as a research mentor to dozens of bright young students and plans to advise many more.
Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Sessoms was a Researcher in the Turfgrass Science Group for the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. Among her current research interests are: plant interactions with soil micro-organisms; soil nitrogen conservation in turfgrass systems; and maintenance of ecosystem services under reduced input management. Prior to this role she held postdoctoral fellowships at the Biotechnology Institute (2014-2016) and the Plant Pathology department (2013-2014) both at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, Dr. Sessoms was a postdoctoral fellow at the Boyce Thompson Institute (2009-2012) an independent research institute located on Cornell University’s campus.
Dr. Sessoms received her Ph.D. at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) under the advisement of Dr. Didier Reinhardt. Her dissertation focused on Genetic and nutritional regulation of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis between Petunia hybrida and Glomus intraradices - 2009. You can learn more about her thesis through this publication. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Sessoms received her M.S. (Population and Ecosystem Biology - 2003) & B.A.Sc. (Organism’s Biology - 2001) from the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI, France).
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Previous Academic Institution(s):
Ph.D. and Post-doctoral Research Associate (current position) at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Personal and professional fulfillment to me comes from balancing work, community, family, and faith. My hobbies span from reading
leadership-related books to discovering new places and food systems to volunteering in community efforts to riding bicycles.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
The professional recognitions I am most proud of are those that use collaborative, action-oriented, and integrated approaches to support and impact the community of stakeholders. One example is an international outreach initiative that I co-lead called Agro Connection. The initiative aimed to connect US and Central/South American agricultural stakeholders through leadership and extension events, farm-to-farm tours, podcast episodes, YouTube videos. This initiative won three national awards - one by the American Society of Agronomy Extension Education Community.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am personally and professionally inspired by exploring opportunities for advancing technical and science-based knowledge and skills so that together we are equipped to promote resilient food systems. While several motivating factors led me to choose CFAES, the college mission and its alignment with my vision of a better world for those that we serve ignited my desire to contribute to the vibrant center of research, teaching, and extension excellence that the Ohio State University represents.
Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Sadre was a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Michigan State University where she previously was also affiliated with the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and the Department of Horticulture. In East Lansing, she focused on the biosynthesis of a wide range of plant natural products including alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids for applications in medicine, food, agriculture, and bioenergy. Prior to these roles, Dr. Sadre was a researcher and instructor at RWTH Aachen University (Germany) and independently collaborated with Syngenta Jealott's Hill International Research Centre (UK). She received her Dipl.-Biol. (MSc) and Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) from the RWTH Aachen University (Germany). Her doctoral thesis focused on the biochemistry and engineered accumulation of the antioxidant vitamin E in rapeseed (Canola) oil for human health.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Sadre "built a unique and multidisciplinary expertise that spans molecular biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and analytical chemistry". She has also served as a research mentor to dozens of bright young students and plans to advise many more.
Prior to joining OSU, Dr. Sessoms was a Researcher in the Turfgrass Science Group for the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. Among her current research interests are: plant interactions with soil micro-organisms; soil nitrogen conservation in turfgrass systems; and maintenance of ecosystem services under reduced input management. Prior to this role she held postdoctoral fellowships at the Biotechnology Institute (2014-2016) and the Plant Pathology department (2013-2014) both at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, Dr. Sessoms was a postdoctoral fellow at the Boyce Thompson Institute (2009-2012) an independent research institute located on Cornell University’s campus.
Dr. Sessoms received her Ph.D. at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) under the advisement of Dr. Didier Reinhardt. Her dissertation focused on Genetic and nutritional regulation of the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis between Petunia hybrida and Glomus intraradices - 2009. You can learn more about her thesis through this publication. Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Sessoms received her M.S. (Population and Ecosystem Biology - 2003) & B.A.Sc. (Organism’s Biology - 2001) from the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI, France).
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Previous Academic Institution(s):
Ph.D. and Post-doctoral Research Associate (current position) at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Personal and professional fulfillment to me comes from balancing work, community, family, and faith. My hobbies span from reading
leadership-related books to discovering new places and food systems to volunteering in community efforts to riding bicycles.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
The professional recognitions I am most proud of are those that use collaborative, action-oriented, and integrated approaches to support and impact the community of stakeholders. One example is an international outreach initiative that I co-lead called Agro Connection. The initiative aimed to connect US and Central/South American agricultural stakeholders through leadership and extension events, farm-to-farm tours, podcast episodes, YouTube videos. This initiative won three national awards - one by the American Society of Agronomy Extension Education Community.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am personally and professionally inspired by exploring opportunities for advancing technical and science-based knowledge and skills so that together we are equipped to promote resilient food systems. While several motivating factors led me to choose CFAES, the college mission and its alignment with my vision of a better world for those that we serve ignited my desire to contribute to the vibrant center of research, teaching, and extension excellence that the Ohio State University represents.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Previous Academic Institution(s):
Ph.D. and Post-doctoral Research Associate (current position) at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Personal and professional fulfillment to me comes from balancing work, community, family, and faith. My hobbies span from reading
leadership-related books to discovering new places and food systems to volunteering in community efforts to riding bicycles.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
The professional recognitions I am most proud of are those that use collaborative, action-oriented, and integrated approaches to support and impact the community of stakeholders. One example is an international outreach initiative that I co-lead called Agro Connection. The initiative aimed to connect US and Central/South American agricultural stakeholders through leadership and extension events, farm-to-farm tours, podcast episodes, YouTube videos. This initiative won three national awards - one by the American Society of Agronomy Extension Education Community.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I am personally and professionally inspired by exploring opportunities for advancing technical and science-based knowledge and skills so that together we are equipped to promote resilient food systems. While several motivating factors led me to choose CFAES, the college mission and its alignment with my vision of a better world for those that we serve ignited my desire to contribute to the vibrant center of research, teaching, and extension excellence that the Ohio State University represents.
School of Environment and Natural Resources
Dr. Jim Ippolito is a professor of environmental soil health. His 30+ year career has focused on improving environmental soil fertility/chemistry/microbiology/soil health within agricultural, shortgrass steppe, grazed, burned, and metal-contaminated mined-land ecosystems. His research program connects the intimate linkages between soil macro- and micro-nutrients, trace and heavy metals, microbiological activity, and soil physical attributes, and how these factors combine to influence ecosystem sustainability, resiliency, food, climate and environmental security. Jim teaches soil fertility/soil health principles and practices. Jim has taught introductory soil science, environmental sampling, soil chemical analyses, and has guest lectured in numerous classes. Jim’s outreach efforts have focused on working hand-in-hand with producers for improving (agro)ecosystem sustainably and crop production with respect to raising healthy foods for an ever-growing population.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Lawrenceville, NJ
Previous Academic Institution(s):
BS – University of Delaware, Agronomy with an emphasis in plant sciences; minor in microbiology
MS – Colorado State University, Soil Fertility/Chemistry with a focus on plant selection to tolerate Cl or SO4 salts for coal mine land reclamation in the western US
PhD – Colorado State University, Soil Chemistry/Environmental Quality with a focus on beneficial reuse of drinking water treatment residuals for capturing excess environmental P
Research Associate at CSU after receiving my MS degree (I worked full-time while pursuing my PhD part-time. It was a long 8 years to complete my degree!)
Non-tenure track Assistant Professor, CSU (2002-2007)
Research Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab, Kimberly, Idaho (2007-2016)
Tenure track Associate and Full Professor, Colorado State University, Dep. Soil and Crop Sciences (2016-2023)
What's a fun fact about you?
My wife is a soil microbiologist by training. She was Dr. Richard Dick’s (currently in SENR) PhD student years ago when Richard was at the other OSU (Oregon State University). Also, I’m a bit competitive, much like other faculty.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by individuals who understand the importance of professional recognition. Those individuals have guided me on my career journey, leading to becoming Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
Topics from soil carbon sequestration in various ecosystems, to tackling spur of the moment environmental issues (e.g., East Palestine) through more chronic issues (e.g., forever chemical compounds in the environment – PFAS/PFOA), to creating healthy soils that lead to healthy plants, animals, humans, and the environment, is really where I love to work. These topics are being addressed by world-class faculty, staff, and students within CFAES. I’m excited to join a team of scientists that address and solve real-world problems facing the producers and citizens of Ohio, the US, and the world.
Boozhoo (Hello)! I am an environmental social scientist with an emphasis on Native American and Indigenous studies. I am an enrolled citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, who are located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was previously at Yale University as the Henry Roe Cloud Dissertation Fellow.
I hold a PhD in Critical Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder with a graduate certificate in Native American and Indigenous Studies. I hold a MA in Indigenous Studies from the University of Kansas and a BA in American Indian Studies and Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota, Morris.
For my research, I utilize and prioritize Indigenous research methodologies, such as Indigenous storytelling, to conceptualize my research on Odawa-nmé (lake sturgeon) relationships and how Anishinaabe ways of knowing, such as bimaadiziwin (living well), can unify and restore balance to their non-human relatives. My research calls attention to Indigenous restoration programs—in all their complex social, political, and scientific realms—as key sources for formulating responses to climate change. I am interested in teaching courses of Indigenous Natural Resource Management, Social Science Methods and Methodologies (with an emphasis on NAIS methods), and an Indigenous Environmental Studies course. Outreach is very important to me, and I look forward to getting to know the local community and Native community in the greater Columbus area. I am particularly interested in developing outreach projects on BIPOC environmental education programming and research.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Parma Hts, Ohio
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Critical Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder
Yale University, Henry Roe Cloud Dissertation Fellow
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Hobbies include running, hiking, biking, beading (and crafts in general), and enjoying local coffee shops!
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I chose to join the CFAES faculty because of the inviting and warm atmosphere, many of the colleagues I met are not only interested in learning about faculty’s research interests but who they are as a person, which is important to me.
I was born and raised in Punjab, India. I completed my PhD in agronomy with a specialization in soil and water sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I spent past 2 years as an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University. I have a diverse research experience and have worked on topics such as evaluating potassium fertilizer recommendations, soil ecosystem services in integrated crop-livestock system, soil health under annual and perennial cropping systems and soil acidification in semi-arid environments. My research aims to unveil the complex soil dynamics, understand interactions of soil processes, and resolve soil issues using inter-disciplinary approaches. Due to my research background in soil physics, chemistry, and biology, I evaluate all phases of soil to develop holist best management practices for a range of crop-soil systems. In addition to research, I engage in extension activities to disseminate research findings, learn about regional agricultural concerns, and execute farmer-oriented research projects to develop sustainable and vibrant agriculture systems.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Punjab, India
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Agronomy from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I was an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University before joining OSU.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I like to travel and do thrilling activities (e.g., sky diving), whenever and wherever possible. Most recently, with an infant and a toddler, I like to find a time to do ‘nothing’.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I am proud for being part of $25 million multi-state research grant received in 2022 to advance soil health research and outreach.
Dr. Jim Ippolito is a professor of environmental soil health. His 30+ year career has focused on improving environmental soil fertility/chemistry/microbiology/soil health within agricultural, shortgrass steppe, grazed, burned, and metal-contaminated mined-land ecosystems. His research program connects the intimate linkages between soil macro- and micro-nutrients, trace and heavy metals, microbiological activity, and soil physical attributes, and how these factors combine to influence ecosystem sustainability, resiliency, food, climate and environmental security. Jim teaches soil fertility/soil health principles and practices. Jim has taught introductory soil science, environmental sampling, soil chemical analyses, and has guest lectured in numerous classes. Jim’s outreach efforts have focused on working hand-in-hand with producers for improving (agro)ecosystem sustainably and crop production with respect to raising healthy foods for an ever-growing population.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Lawrenceville, NJ
Previous Academic Institution(s):
BS – University of Delaware, Agronomy with an emphasis in plant sciences; minor in microbiology
MS – Colorado State University, Soil Fertility/Chemistry with a focus on plant selection to tolerate Cl or SO4 salts for coal mine land reclamation in the western US
PhD – Colorado State University, Soil Chemistry/Environmental Quality with a focus on beneficial reuse of drinking water treatment residuals for capturing excess environmental P
Research Associate at CSU after receiving my MS degree (I worked full-time while pursuing my PhD part-time. It was a long 8 years to complete my degree!)
Non-tenure track Assistant Professor, CSU (2002-2007)
Research Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Lab, Kimberly, Idaho (2007-2016)
Tenure track Associate and Full Professor, Colorado State University, Dep. Soil and Crop Sciences (2016-2023)
What's a fun fact about you?
My wife is a soil microbiologist by training. She was Dr. Richard Dick’s (currently in SENR) PhD student years ago when Richard was at the other OSU (Oregon State University). Also, I’m a bit competitive, much like other faculty.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by individuals who understand the importance of professional recognition. Those individuals have guided me on my career journey, leading to becoming Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America.
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
Topics from soil carbon sequestration in various ecosystems, to tackling spur of the moment environmental issues (e.g., East Palestine) through more chronic issues (e.g., forever chemical compounds in the environment – PFAS/PFOA), to creating healthy soils that lead to healthy plants, animals, humans, and the environment, is really where I love to work. These topics are being addressed by world-class faculty, staff, and students within CFAES. I’m excited to join a team of scientists that address and solve real-world problems facing the producers and citizens of Ohio, the US, and the world.
Boozhoo (Hello)! I am an environmental social scientist with an emphasis on Native American and Indigenous studies. I am an enrolled citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, who are located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was previously at Yale University as the Henry Roe Cloud Dissertation Fellow.
I hold a PhD in Critical Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder with a graduate certificate in Native American and Indigenous Studies. I hold a MA in Indigenous Studies from the University of Kansas and a BA in American Indian Studies and Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota, Morris.
For my research, I utilize and prioritize Indigenous research methodologies, such as Indigenous storytelling, to conceptualize my research on Odawa-nmé (lake sturgeon) relationships and how Anishinaabe ways of knowing, such as bimaadiziwin (living well), can unify and restore balance to their non-human relatives. My research calls attention to Indigenous restoration programs—in all their complex social, political, and scientific realms—as key sources for formulating responses to climate change. I am interested in teaching courses of Indigenous Natural Resource Management, Social Science Methods and Methodologies (with an emphasis on NAIS methods), and an Indigenous Environmental Studies course. Outreach is very important to me, and I look forward to getting to know the local community and Native community in the greater Columbus area. I am particularly interested in developing outreach projects on BIPOC environmental education programming and research.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Parma Hts, Ohio
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Critical Ethnic Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder
Yale University, Henry Roe Cloud Dissertation Fellow
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Hobbies include running, hiking, biking, beading (and crafts in general), and enjoying local coffee shops!
Why did you choose to join the CFAES faculty?
I chose to join the CFAES faculty because of the inviting and warm atmosphere, many of the colleagues I met are not only interested in learning about faculty’s research interests but who they are as a person, which is important to me.
I was born and raised in Punjab, India. I completed my PhD in agronomy with a specialization in soil and water sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I spent past 2 years as an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University. I have a diverse research experience and have worked on topics such as evaluating potassium fertilizer recommendations, soil ecosystem services in integrated crop-livestock system, soil health under annual and perennial cropping systems and soil acidification in semi-arid environments. My research aims to unveil the complex soil dynamics, understand interactions of soil processes, and resolve soil issues using inter-disciplinary approaches. Due to my research background in soil physics, chemistry, and biology, I evaluate all phases of soil to develop holist best management practices for a range of crop-soil systems. In addition to research, I engage in extension activities to disseminate research findings, learn about regional agricultural concerns, and execute farmer-oriented research projects to develop sustainable and vibrant agriculture systems.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Punjab, India
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Agronomy from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I was an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University before joining OSU.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I like to travel and do thrilling activities (e.g., sky diving), whenever and wherever possible. Most recently, with an infant and a toddler, I like to find a time to do ‘nothing’.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I am proud for being part of $25 million multi-state research grant received in 2022 to advance soil health research and outreach.
I was born and raised in Punjab, India. I completed my PhD in agronomy with a specialization in soil and water sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I spent past 2 years as an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University. I have a diverse research experience and have worked on topics such as evaluating potassium fertilizer recommendations, soil ecosystem services in integrated crop-livestock system, soil health under annual and perennial cropping systems and soil acidification in semi-arid environments. My research aims to unveil the complex soil dynamics, understand interactions of soil processes, and resolve soil issues using inter-disciplinary approaches. Due to my research background in soil physics, chemistry, and biology, I evaluate all phases of soil to develop holist best management practices for a range of crop-soil systems. In addition to research, I engage in extension activities to disseminate research findings, learn about regional agricultural concerns, and execute farmer-oriented research projects to develop sustainable and vibrant agriculture systems.
Hometown, State/Province, Country:
Punjab, India
Previous Academic Institution(s):
PhD in Agronomy from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I was an Assistant Research Professor at Montana State University before joining OSU.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I like to travel and do thrilling activities (e.g., sky diving), whenever and wherever possible. Most recently, with an infant and a toddler, I like to find a time to do ‘nothing’.
Can you share a professional recognition of which you are particularly proud?
I am proud for being part of $25 million multi-state research grant received in 2022 to advance soil health research and outreach.