Team

Pavani joined PAL as the Lab Manager in November 2024. She oversees daily operations and provides essential support to the team’s discovery, learning, and engagement activities. Growing up in India, she later earned a bachelor's degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, and a master's degree in Botany from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Pavani is excited to be contributing to the lab's many research projects, and in making sure the lab is running smoothly and efficiently. When she's not in lab, she can be found reading science fiction novels and completing crossword puzzles in her free time.

Carson is from St. Louis, Missouri and graduated with a BS in Plant Sciences from the University of Missouri, and most recently, an MS in Agronomy (2025) from the PAL. As a research specialist in the lab, Carson is continuing to use his background in plant science and newly gained experience in soil science to explore how plant–soil interactions affect soil carbon accumulation. Carson is a Purdue sports fan and even made the trek to West Lafayette from Missouri almost every home football weekend growing up. Carson is proud to be the next boilermaker in his family.

Binod is originally from Nepal and he obtained his master’s degree in integrated Agricultural Science from Texas State University in 2023. At Purdue, he aspires to deepen his knowledge and skills in soil and crop science, with a focus on evaluating holistic approaches to managing corn production systems—integrating novel hybrid selection, nitrogen management, and responses to environmental stress. He hopes to gain valuable insights into sustainable management practices. Outside of academics, he loves watching movies, traveling, and playing cricket.

Annie grew up in central Minnesota where her family raised vegetables, chickens, and sheep. After graduating from Middlebury College with a degree in biology, she worked at Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania for several years as a research technician on a long term trial comparing organic and conventional grain cropping systems. She is ecstatic to have joined the agroecology lab on the Indiana Organic Network (ION) project team, where she leads the statewide soil health assessment of organic farms and investigates how management practices influence soil health dynamics. In her free time, Annie enjoys rock climbing, baking, and tormenting her two cats.

Arsen is a PhD student co-advised by Drs. Yichao Rui and Roland Wilhelm. Originally from Kazakhstan, he has lived in various places from an early age and has learned multiple languages, including English, Kazakh, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. Arsen enjoys connecting with people and exploring different cultures through travel. Deeply connected to his Kazakh heritage, he plays the Dombra, a traditional instrument, and is passionate about agriculture, driven by a desire to reconnect people with Kazakhstan's vast land resources. In his free time, Arsen enjoys outdoor activities, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. His varied experiences and interests make him eager to grow and collaborate with others in both his academic and personal life.

Dominic is a visiting scholar in the lab. He is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan Technological University, where he focuses on wetland restoration and biogeochemistry. His past research includes quantifying fire history and analyzing peat chemistry in the Northern Midwest, as well as studying pyrogenic carbon variance affected by forest fires in Northern Wisconsin. He has a broad interest in ecological stewardship and sustainability.

Panchami is a visiting Ph.D. student from the Kerala Forest Research Institute (Forest Research Institute Dehradun-University) in India. Her research focuses on the vertical distribution of soil carbon pools, mineral-organic interactions, and the impact of rising global temperatures on soil organic carbon in teak plantations and adjacent forests of the southern Western Ghats. At Purdue University, Panchami's work extends to studying how regenerative agroforestry systems affect soil microbial parameters compared to conventional agriculture, contributing to carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Beyond her academic pursuits, she enjoys reading and traveling, which continually inspire her commitment to developing innovative solutions for a sustainable climate future.

Ismael is a senior majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) at Purdue University, with a concentration in Environmental Quality and Restoration. Ismael serves as president of the Environmental Science Club and is an ambassador for the NRES Program. Ismael is particularly interested in integrating carbon sequestration policy into organic agriculture. Outside of work and study, Ismael enjoys baking, working on a children’s book about community environmental advocacy, and raising two sheep back at home in Northwest Indiana.

Originally from Machala, Ecuador, Galo graduated from Zamorano University in Honduras and brings valuable industry experience to his role as a visiting research scholar at PAL. He is particularly interested in deepening his knowledge of soil science and sustainable agriculture, and in contributing fully to the team’s efforts. In his free time, he enjoys trying new sports, spending time outdoors, and watching movies.

Aaliyah is a junior at Purdue University from Central Indiana, double majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Science—with a concentration in Environmental Quality and Restoration—and Soil and Water Science. She chose Purdue to pursue her passion for sustainability in agriculture and is excited to learn from other team members in the lab. In her free time, Aaliyah enjoys caring for houseplants, reading, and traveling.

Maria is originally from Honduras in Central America and studied at Zamorano University. She is especially interested in sustainable and ecological approaches to agricultural production. As a Visiting Scholar at PAL, she is eager to expand her knowledge in the field and gain valuable experience through the lab’s dynamic research environment and the exchange of ideas with team members. In her free time, she enjoys photography, spending time outdoors, and painting.

Current position: Nearing completion of a Bachelor's degree in Agronomical Engineering in Caldas University, Colombia.