Academic Background

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND - 2020
B.S. in Microbiology, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND - 2015

Research Interests and Current Efforts

The ultimate goal of my research and Extension program is to increase profit margins of growers and stakeholders by reducing losses caused by plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) while ensuring good stewardship of land and natural resources. To achieve this goal, my research program is focused on fine-tuning existing PPN management strategies and developing novel PPN management tools through the utilization of recent advances in the scientific field. Particularly, I am interested in exploring PPN biology, epidemiology, crop loss assessments, and diagnostics to develop holistic nematode management recommendations for Georgia’s and the southeastern United States’ agricultural crop producers. Georgia is a major producer of diverse agricultural commodities. Currently, my efforts are focused on PPN infesting vegetable and cotton fields. Plant-parasitic nematodes of major concern in these fields include, but are not limited to, root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita, M. enterolobii, M. floridensis, and M. haplanaria), reniform nematodes, and sting nematodes.

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