Ruchika Kashyap

Academic Background

Ph.D. Plant Sciences, South Dakota State University, 2022
M.S. Plant Pathology, Punjab Agricultural University, 2019
B.S. Agriculture with Honors in Crop Protection, Punjab Agricultural University, 2017

Research Interests and Current Efforts

My research focuses on host, pathogen, and environmental factors that influence plant disease in urban and controlled environment agriculture. I primarily work on fungal and oomycete pathogens affecting edible crops grown in community gardens, urban farms, high tunnels, hydroponic, aeroponic, aquaponic, and similar systems. My work emphasizes needs-driven, integrated disease management strategies developed through close collaboration with growers, stakeholders, and scientists. I aim to develop practical and applied solutions that benefit producers and strengthen the connection between farm and fork through effective science communication. Current research focuses on characterizing fungal and oomycete diversity associated with leafy greens across CEA systems in Georgia and understanding the environmental and production-related factors that influence disease development and pathogen prevalence.

In parallel, I lead an extension program centered on two-way learning and stakeholder engagement. Through a generative, data-informed approach, the program integrates producer knowledge and research findings to translate scientific discoveries into practical, actionable disease-management strategies for the agricultural community. Explore our lab podcast, “Urban Pods: Where Science meets People” and learn more about the research, outreach, and people behind the Urban and Controlled Environment pathology (U-CEP) lab.