Graduate Student Awards 2023

▶  Marvin & Barbara Phillips Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes current graduate students in agronomy extension, especially in the use of innovative technologies.

Malena's research involves evaluating the impact of inputs and management practices on corn yield, physiology, and economic return so that she will be able to advise farmers on which are the best products and management practices. She has presented the preliminary results at one extension and three academic events, NEPAC field day, ACRE showcase, the ASA meeting, Agronomy Graduate Students events, and a College of Agriculture network poster gathering.

▶  Dow AgroSciences Graduate Student Scholarship
▶  2022 Rockey Foundation for Food & Agricultural Research (FFAR) Fellow

This scholarship recognizes graduate students who demonstrate integrity, academic excellence, initiative, problem solving, and leadership.

Sujata is developing a process-based crop model to understand the genetic variation in soybean that can be assessed using field-scale data sets under different environments. She wants to stay connected to the farmers to facilitate the two-way knowledge transfer to enhance crop production. She also hopes to transfer expertise and innovative technology internationally to places like her home country of Nepal.

As a graduate committee member in the ASA travel grant subcommittees and webinar committees, Sujata has developed invaluable leadership skills. She also serves as a vice president of the Agronomy Graduate Student Association (AGSO), and recently received a professional development fellowship from the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research.

▶  John D. Axtell Memorial Graduate Student Award in Plant Breeding & Genetics

This award recognizes current graduate students in the disciplines of plant breeding, genetics, and genomics. Students must demonstrate a philosophy for improving the quality of life for citizens of the world through excellence in teaching and research.

Nate's research evaluates sorghum hybrids developed from drought tolerant and Striga resistant parental lines. He has had experience on three continents, including a three-month individual experience in Brazil. He has also presented at a tri-societies meeting. Nate plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics, and a career in plant breeding, possibly within the CGIAR system.

▶  Dow AgroSciences Graduate Student Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes graduate students who demonstrate integrity, academic excellence, initiative, problem solving, and leadership.

Binod's research involves applying the molecular genomic approach to study plant functional genomics and biotechnology for trait development in wheat. He takes the initiative in many aspects of laboratory work when a selfless individual is needed most, and approaches people with honesty and integrity. Binod has served as a teaching assistant for Agronomy, as a judge for the undergraduate symposium, and as a senator from the Agronomy department in PGSG.

▶  M.O. Pence Graduate Scholarship

This award recognizes outstanding performance in leadership, and committment to applied research and extension.

As a graduate research assistant, Brendan focuses on precision agriculture and nutrient stress management.

▶  Stanley A. Barber Memorial Scholarship in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
▶  G.O. Mott Award from the Crop Science Society of America
▶  Pathmaker Award
▶  Agronomy Excellence Award: Outstanding Extension

The Barber Scholarship recognizes exceptional graduate students in the area of soil fertility and plant nutrition.

The Mott Award recognizes current students in crop science based on academic achievements, research and teaching contributions, leadership accomplishments, service activities, and personal qualifications.

Ana's research seeks to understand the dynamics of the interaction between nutrients, maize, soil, and weather across space and time in Indiana fields. She has executed 13 on-farm trials, organized, conducted, and hosted meetings with farmers to discuss project objectives, experimented with design, and presented key results. The work from her on-farm studies has been showcased in 7 academic/scientific events and 6 Extension meetings. Furthermore, she has been involved in multiple student organizations, and served as a teaching assistant to a number of Agronomy courses to strenghten her knowledge and improve her teaching skills.

Ana's professional goal is to become a researcher, professor, and Extension specialist. She looks forward to applying what she has learned to develop strategies that help farmers improve production and reduce the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment.

▶  Jerry V. Mannering Award in Soil Conservation and Management
▶  2022 Rockey Foundation for Food & Agricultural Research (FFAR) Fellow

This award recognizes outstanding research in the areas of soil conservation and management or soil health.

Rose's research involves field and controlled environment experiments to study phosphorus transport of legacy and fertilizer phosphorus from farm fields to tile drainage and surface waters in the soils and landscapes of northeast Indiana. She would like to transfer the knowledge to small-scale farmers and help them improve phosphorous management on their farms. So far, she has submitted two papers covering her work for review, and presented her research at and ASA meeting. In the future, Rose wants to work closely with farmers and other stakeholders to improve soil and water management practices.

▶  Joe L. White Graduate Student Scholarship Award in Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy

This award recognizes current graduate students in the disciplines of soil chemistry and mineralogy through augmentation of their graduate stipend. Students must demonstrate a philosophy of working on applied problems in soil chemistry and mineralogy through basic research.

Elijah is early in his research focused on limiting PFAS transport through soil, water, ground water, and plants by applying biosolids to agricultural fields.

▶  Dr. Wyman E. Nyquist Memorial Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes current graduate students in the disciplines of plant genetics, plant breeding, plant genomics, and/or related agronomic sciences which include a significant genetics component.

Maliheh's research utilizes genomic and phenotyping tools, and bioinformatics approaches to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL's) associated with root traits in wheat, and then find target genes that control these traits. She wants to develop high-yielding wheat varieties with improved root systems that can thrive under different environmental conditions. So far, Maliheh has submitted two manuscripts.

▶  Dr. Wyman E. Nyquist Memorial Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes current graduate students in the disciplines of plant genetics, plant breeding, plant genomics, and/or related agronomic sciences which include a significant genetics component.

Nathan's research focuses on the identification of resistance genes for the pathogen that causes Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot - one of the most economically important diseases in soybean. So far, Nathan has submitted three manuscripts.