Nick Steppig is a PhD student currently studying under Dr. Bryan Young. His research focuses on characterization of trifludimoxazin, a new PPO-inhibiting herbicide currently being developed for future commercialization. Nick’s research has included field, laboratory, and greenhouse work in order to investigate trifludimoxazin’s activity on several key weeds in Indiana agronomic production. More specifically, he is investigating potential tank-mix interactions with trifludimoxazin and other commonly-used herbicides, its efficacy on Amaranthus weed species which are resistant to currently-available PPO-inhibitors, and determining crop sensitivity in pre-plant applications to soybean. Nick’s anticipated graduation date is May 2020, at which point he hopes to take a job as a field scientist in the Research and Development sector of a major agricultural chemical company.

Expected graduation: May 2020.