Visionaries: Bringing the cutting edge to middle school

As our team sat down with Krishna Nemali, we began asking him about his story and work at Purdue University. As he spoke, it became clear that every positive thing he said was about someone else. Whether it was the farmers he works with in extension or his graduate students and their research, Nemali always shone the spotlight on others.

Nemali exemplifies true selflessness. He invests in his students by giving them opportunities to shine and grow throughout their Purdue career. It was apparent throughout our conversation, that he wants the best for them — which is why he was so eager to share their stories rather than his own.

Nemali has diverse interests. He works with Purdue Extension, which influences both local agricultural producers and elementary school students. He also works hard to create innovative technologies that will benefit both producers and consumers by improving sustainability.

While preparing for the interview and video process, Nemali told all of us that he wanted the videos to focus on the students. Everything he said, he somehow made a point to praise a student’s work and their future in the agriculture industry.

Nemali is beyond passionate about his own work. Anyone who speaks to him can see the sparkle in his eye when he begins sharing the work that his students are doing. But his true passion is investing in others, whether it is farmers, students, or extension educators.
Meet the Filmmaker/Blogger
Emily Dougherty Emily Dougherty
About Visionaries

This blog and video are part of the Visionaries series, which highlights the work and lives of researchers in the Purdue University College of Agriculture. The content for this series is created by the students of ASEC 280 (Digital Storytelling).

Explore other videos and blogs created by our student-filmmakers

Videos are also available on the Purdue Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication YouTube channel

Featured Stories

Sunrise in a Corn Field at ACRE
Indiana Corn Update - Issue #29

Indiana corn planting progress, flooding stresses, and corn ear rot & mycotoxins

Read More
Bryan Pijanowski using technology to listen to Martell Forest in West Lafayette.
Two prestigious awards, one global mission

Bryan Pijanowski, professor in Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural...

Read More
an exterior shot from the west side of the new greenhouses. The sky is stormy gray, but the greenhouses are lit up inside
Purdue Institute for Plant Sciences opens new, high-tech greenhouses

One of the final projects funded by Plant Sciences 2.0, one of Purdue’s Next Moves...

Read More
The Whittington Family in matching Purdue sweatshirts (John, Kristin, Ro, Lucy, Ally, Shorty and Stillman Whittington).
The Ro and Shorty Whittington Student Experience Match

Purdue University’s College of Agriculture is offering donors a powerful opportunity to...

Read More
2026 Outstanding Students: Liam Doski, Max Clark, George Emerson and Tam Tran
FNR Honors Awards, Scholarship Recipients at Annual Ceremony

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources recognized the department’s award and scholarship...

Read More
krispn with university of florida
Krispn Given Leads Historic Advanced Instrumental Insemination Workshops at UF and Enterprise State

In spring 2026, Krispn Given was invited by the University of Florida Bee Lab and by Enterprise...

Read More