Find Academic Supervisors

Aniruddha MaityView profile

Assistant Professor

• Weed Science
• Herbicide Resistance
• Integrated Weed Management
• +4 more

Dr. Aniruddha Maity is an Assistant Professor of Weed Science at Auburn University’s Department of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on weed biology, ecology, and integrated management, particularly herbicide resistance and sustainable practices. He holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and has held postdoctoral and research roles globally, including at the University of Western Australia and Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Education: Ph.D. (Plant Breeding), Texas A&M University M.Sc. (Seed Science & Technology), Indian Agricultural Research Institute B.Sc. (Agriculture), Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya His research explores the ecological and evolutionary aspects of weeds, emphasizing herbicide resistance management and innovative approaches like cover crops and machine learning for weed control. Key interests include seed dormancy, climate change impacts on seed traits, and agroecological systems. Awarded over 20 honors, including the WSSA Outstanding Paper Award (2022) and Endeavor Research Leadership Award (2019), Dr. Maity collaborates internationally. His lab oversees diverse projects, including UAV-based weed identification and biochar-herbicide interactions. Current students focus on topics like Alabama’s Italian ryegrass resistance and climate-smart cultivation practices. Awards: Over 20 honors, including international travel awards, graduate excellence recognitions, and research fellowships. Advising: Mentors 11 students pursuing Ph.D. and MS degrees in weed science and agroecology. Labs/Teams: Leads the Weed Bionomics lab at Auburn, collaborating on USDA-funded projects and industry partnerships.

Michael RobertsView profile

Professor

• Energy Economics
• Environmental Economics
• Agricultural Economics
• +3 more

Michael Roberts is a Professor of Economics at the University of Hawaii, jointly appointed with UHERO and the Department of Economics. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Berkeley (2000), M.A. in Statistics from UC Berkeley, and M.S. in Applied Economics from Montana State University. His research spans energy economics, environmental policy, and agricultural economics with emphasis on climate impacts, electricity markets, water resource management, and sustainable agriculture. Current work examines decarbonization pathways, electricity pricing reforms, and climate adaptation strategies. Recent publications analyze transmission expansion for renewable integration, dynamic electricity pricing impacts, temperature effects on resource demand, and climate vulnerability of agricultural systems. His agricultural economics research established foundational understanding of heat impacts on crop yields. Professor Roberts maintains active collaborations with engineers, climate scientists, and policymakers to address energy transition challenges and climate resilience in island contexts.

Jesse CasanaView profile

Professor

• Archaeology
• Remote Sensing
• Environmental Archaeology
• +3 more

Jesse Casana is a Professor of Archaeology at Dartmouth College, holding the W.J. Bryant 1925 Professorship. He leads the Spatial Archaeometry Lab (SPARCL), focusing on remote sensing technologies for archaeological exploration. His work integrates satellite imagery, drone-based sensors, and geophysical methods to study ancient land use, settlement patterns, and human-environment interactions across regions including the Middle East, Antarctica, and the United States. Education: Ph.D. (2000), M.A. (1997), and B.A. (1994) in Anthropology from the University of Chicago and University of Texas at Austin. Research Interests : Casana explores complex societies through geospatial technologies, emphasizing large-scale regional surveys. His projects analyze irrigation systems in Punjab, Bronze Age landscapes in Iraq, and Indigenous agricultural practices in North America. Key methodologies include CORONA satellite analysis, thermal imaging, and lidar for site prospection. Publications : Recent work highlights applications of WorldView-3 SWIR imagery, drone lidar in forested regions, and monitoring Syrian cultural heritage damage. His research bridges technological innovation with historical context, emphasizing ethical and methodological challenges in remote sensing. Labs/Teams : Directs SPARCL, which pioneers drone-based lidar and thermal sensing. Collaborates on projects like the Sirwan Regional Project in Iraqi Kurdistan and the Enfield Shaker Village study in New Hampshire.

Stephanie KuleszaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Nutrient Management
• Animal Waste Management
• Sustainable Agriculture
• +3 more

Dr. Stephanie Kulesza is an Assistant Professor at North Carolina State University (NC State), specializing in nutrient management and animal waste research. She is affiliated with the Animal Waste Management Lab, focusing on optimizing the use of animal manures in North Carolina's diverse cropping systems. Her work emphasizes maximizing crop yield and quality while minimizing environmental impacts, particularly through nutrient management strategies. Dr. Kulesza serves on critical state committees: the Senate Bill 1217 Interagency Committee (regulatory guidance for animal waste) and the Interagency Nutrient Management Committee (technical guidance). She teaches the annual Nutrient Management Training, a five-day certification course required for technical specialists writing nutrient management plans in North Carolina. Her research spans manure utilization in crop rotations, optimal application rates, and environmental risk mitigation. Key areas include soil phosphorus dynamics, poultry litter effects on weed emergence, and ammonia volatilization from manure injection. Recent studies also address antibiotic fate in soils and swine/slurry waste management. Her publications highlight themes in sustainable agriculture, environmental chemistry, and precision farming. She collaborates on applied research to bridge agricultural practices and environmental stewardship in North Carolina's agroecosystems.

Becky B. WesterdahlView profile

Professor

• Applied Nematology
• Integrated Pest Management
• Nematology Extension
• +3 more

Becky B. Westerdahl is a Professor and Professor of Cooperative Extension at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Department of Nematology within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. She joined UC Davis in 1986 and holds a B.S. in Biology from Chapman University (1972) and a Ph.D. in Biology with a specialization in Nematology from the University of California, Riverside (1978). Her research focuses on applied nematology, integrated pest management, and extension services. Key interests include biotechnological approaches to nematode management, sustainable practices for agricultural crops, and the development of non-chemical pest control strategies. She has contributed to studies on root lesion nematode resistance in Easter lilies, trap cropping systems for vegetable crops, and the use of essential oils and biochar in pest management. Her work emphasizes practical solutions for farmers, such as optimizing irrigation techniques for nematicide efficacy and evaluating preplant soil fumigation alternatives. She has published extensively on nematode challenges in sugarcane, sugar beet, potatoes, and other crops, advocating for environmentally friendly methods. Westerdahl collaborates with extension programs to disseminate knowledge, ensuring research findings translate into actionable strategies for agricultural communities. Her contributions span peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and outreach initiatives, reflecting her dual role as a researcher and educator.

• Theoretical Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Computational Biology
• +3 more

Nikhil Sharma is a Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology , affiliated with the Department of Theoretical Biology. His work bridges mathematical frameworks and biological systems. Research Focus: Evolutionary dynamics, graph theory applications, and population genetics. Key Contributions: Analysis of graph-structured populations, optimization of agricultural practices via mathematical paradoxes, and theoretical insights into fixation probabilities.

Jeffrey LucksteadView profile

Professor

• International Trade
• Agricultural Policy
• Farm Labor Markets
• +3 more

Jeffrey Luckstead is a Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics and serves as the Graduate Director at the School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from WSU (2013), an M.S. in Applied Economics (University of Idaho, 2008), and a B.S. in Economics (University of Idaho, 2006). His academic career includes roles at the University of Arkansas and promotions from Assistant to Associate Professor before joining WSU. His research focuses on International Trade , Agricultural Policy , and Farm Labor Markets , with an emphasis on immigration economics and environmental policy. Recent work examines trade agreements' impacts, labor automation in agriculture, and the role of subsidies in global dairy markets. His articles analyze topics like U.S.-Mexico trade disputes, robotic harvesters’ economic viability, and climate change effects on rice farmers in Bangladesh. Key themes in his publications include trade policy dynamics, labor market challenges in agriculture, and the interplay between technology and global supply chains. His work often bridges theoretical trade models (e.g., gravity models) with applied analyses of agricultural commodities and labor markets. Luckstead’s contributions address critical issues such as food security, trade sanctions, and the socio-economic implications of immigration policies. His interdisciplinary approach integrates economics, policy analysis, and quantitative methods to inform decision-making in agricultural and resource sectors.

• Soil Biology
• Agricultural Science
• Plant Nutrition
• +3 more

E is a Personal Professor in Soil Biology and Operations Manager at Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands. He specializes in soil ecology, nutrient cycling, and sustainable agricultural practices. His research focuses on optimizing agrifood systems through soil management, cover crops, and organic amendments. He leads multiple interdisciplinary projects addressing climate-smart agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa and China. Key research areas include tropical soil fertility, micronutrient dynamics, and meta-analyses of agroecological systems. He actively supervises PhD candidates investigating soil health, biodiversity effects, and nutrient cycling in grasslands and crop rotations. Notable contributions include studies on boron fertilization in maize, nitrogen replacement values of organic waste, and cover crop mixtures reducing nitrogen leaching. Projects: 19 active/finished projects on soil functions, carbon sequestration, and agrifood system sustainability Supervision: Mentor to 17 PhD candidates since 2017 Collaborations: Extensive international networks in Africa, Asia, and Europe Prominent datasets include soil carbon-nitrogen dynamics in grasslands and micronutrient partitioning studies. His work bridges fundamental soil biology with applied agricultural solutions for global food security challenges.

• Sustainable Soil Management
• Agroecology
• Green Manures
• +7 more

Francis Rayns is an Associate Professor (Research) at the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University. His research focuses on sustainable soil management, particularly the use of green manures, waste materials (compost, digestate, biochar), and alternatives to plastics in agriculture. He actively promotes citizen science to improve agricultural practices and has collaborated on projects addressing agroforestry, urban soil remediation, and plastic reduction in farming. Education: PhD in Biotechnology (Somatic embryogenesis) from De Montfort University and BSc in Applied Biology from University College North Wales. Notable projects include UNDERTREES (agroforestry ecosystem services), REPAS (citizen science for plastic reduction), and SOIL NEXUS (urban soil care). He leads research on peat-free growing media, crop rotation impacts, and biodegradable alternatives to plastics. Publications span topics like soil microbial health, biostimulant efficacy, and historical trends in crop mineral content. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to solve agricultural challenges, blending environmental science with practical farming solutions.

Folkard AschView profile

Professor

• Crop Water Stress Management
• Abiotic Stress Physiology
• Climate Change Adaptation
• +4 more

Prof. Folkard Asch is a Professor and Head of the Department of Management of Crop Water Stress in the Tropics and Subtropics at the University of Hohenheim's Agricultural Faculty. He specializes in crop responses to abiotic stresses, climate interactions, and agroecological innovations like skyfarming. His research focuses on drought, salinity, and temperature effects on crops, with recent emphasis on grassland ecology and climate adaptation. He has led projects in Africa, Asia, and South America, addressing food security and sustainable land use. Education: Ph.D. in Plant Physiology (University of Hamburg), Habilitation in Agroecology (University of Bonn). Prior roles include Assistant Professor at the University of Bonn and research at the University of Copenhagen. Research Interests: Crop stress physiology, climate-smart agriculture, integrated farming systems, and rice production systems. His work bridges plant biology, agronomy, and ecosystem modeling to develop resilient agricultural practices. Publications: Over 200 peer-reviewed articles, focusing on rice, wheat, and grassland systems. Key themes include water management, nutrient dynamics, and climate impacts. His work emphasizes field-based experiments and model simulations. Awards: Not explicitly listed, but contributions recognized through leadership roles in organizations like ATSAF and international collaborations. Grants/Advising: Led projects funded by German and international agencies, including BMBF and EU initiatives. Supervised numerous PhD researchers and postdocs in tropical and subtropical agricultural research. Labs/Teams: Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute for Tropical Agricultural Sciences, collaborating with global networks on crop stress and climate adaptation.

• Weed Science
• Herbicide Resistance
• Agricultural Biology
• +3 more

Dr Jenna Malone is a Grant-Funded Researcher (B) and Senior Mortlock Fellow at the University of Adelaide's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. Her research focuses on understanding and managing herbicide-resistant weeds, particularly investigating molecular and biochemical mechanisms of resistance. She is affiliated with the Weed Science Research Group and actively involved in projects addressing agricultural challenges caused by herbicide-resistant weeds. Her work emphasizes the evolution and inheritance of resistance mechanisms, such as glyphosate and ALS-inhibitor resistance, and their implications for sustainable weed management. Dr. Malone is eligible to supervise Honours, Masters, and PhD students, offering projects on weed management, herbicide resistance mechanisms, and herbicide-tolerant crops. Key research interests include genetic diversity in resistant weed populations, gene amplification, and mutation-driven resistance. Her contributions bridge molecular biology and applied agriculture, aiming to develop strategies to combat herbicide resistance and improve agricultural productivity. Dr. Malone's research also explores seed dormancy and environmental stress impacts on weeds, contributing to integrated pest management approaches. She collaborates across disciplines to address agricultural sustainability through innovative solutions.

Earl CreechView profile

Assistant Professor

• Weed Science
• Agronomy
• Soil Health
• +3 more

Dr. Earl Creech is an Assistant Professor and Agronomy Specialist at Utah State University's College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences , with a focus on the Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate . He earned his PhD in Weed Science from Purdue University (2007) and an MS in Plant Science from USU (2003). Research interests include: Weed-Soil-Crop Interactions Sustainable Soil Health through Compost and Cover Crops Drought-Tolerant Crop Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Forage and Field Crops Agricultural Extension and Education Publication trends (2025–2021) emphasize herbicide resistance , compost impacts on soil organic matter , nematode-weed interactions , and innovative irrigation strategies for crops like alfalfa and corn in semi-arid environments. Scientific awards include: Extension Specialist Career Award (2024) Graduate Research Mentor of the Year (multiple years) Best Student Paper Advisor (2024, 2021, 2019) Richard L. Chase Scholarship (2003, 2002) He has advised 19 graduate students since 2014 and led extension programs on weed control , soil testing , and cover crop integration across the western U.S.

Win PhippenView profile

Professor

• Plant Breeding
• Genetics
• Alternative Crops
• +5 more

Win Phippen is a tenured full Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics in the School of Agriculture at Western Illinois University, where he teaches courses in applied genetics, crop ecology, agricultural leadership, and plant breeding. His research focuses on agronomic and breeding improvement of new and alternative crops, with particular emphasis on pennycress domestication for commercial production. His educational background includes a Master of Science degree in plant breeding from Cornell University and a Doctor of Philosophy in the NewCrops breeding program from Purdue University. These qualifications underpin his expertise in crop domestication and genetic improvement. Dr. Phippen's research centers on developing pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) as a viable oilseed cash cover crop through germplasm collection, field evaluation, and controlled crosses. His work addresses critical challenges in cover crop adoption, including seed persistence, stress tolerance, and integration into corn-soybean rotations. He investigates how pennycress impacts soil health, carbon sequestration, and subsequent cash crop yields while developing domestication traits through conventional and genomic approaches. His extensive publication record reveals a dominant research trajectory focused on pennycress domestication, with significant contributions to understanding its agronomic performance, stress responses, and integration into sustainable farming systems. Recent work increasingly incorporates molecular techniques like CRISPR genome editing to accelerate domestication while examining ecological interactions and economic viability. As Project Director for major initiatives including the $10 million USDA-NIFA Coordinated Agriculture Project (IPREFER) and the DOE-IPReP grant, Dr. Phippen secures substantial funding to advance integrated pennycress research. These projects support field trials, genomic studies, and extension activities aimed at enabling farm and energy resilience through alternative crop systems. He directs the Alternative Crops Research Program and the Pennycress Resource Network at Western Illinois University, coordinating multi-institutional collaborations that include the IPReP Summer Internship program. These initiatives connect researchers, farmers, and industry partners to accelerate the commercialization of pennycress and other alternative crops for biofuels and sustainable agriculture applications.

Claas NendelView profile

Professor

• Agroecosystem Modelling
• Climate Change Impact Assessment
• Crop Simulation
• +3 more

Prof. Claas Nendel is a Professor at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), leading the Ecosystem Modelling and Landscape Modelling groups within Research Area 4 'Simulation and Data Science'. His work focuses on agroecosystem dynamics, climate change impacts, and crop modelling integration with remote sensing data. Research interests include: Simulation of crop-water-nutrient interactions Climate adaptation strategies for European agriculture Remote sensing applications in agricultural monitoring He has pioneered the MONICA model for agroecosystem simulation and contributed to AgMIP global crop modelling initiatives. Recent studies emphasize soybean and wheat system resilience under climate change, irrigation mapping via satellite fusion, and drought risk assessments. Awards include his role as Past ESA President (European Society for Agronomy). Key projects involve: Intercropping systems optimization Grassland mowing detection via Sentinel time series Soil organic matter dynamics under no-till practices His work bridges field experimentation with large-scale modelling to address agricultural sustainability challenges.

• Agricultural Sciences
• Crop Phenology
• Soil Water Dynamics
• +7 more

David Luckett is a researcher at Charles Sturt University, affiliated with the Aspro Gulbali Research Institute. He is actively involved in agricultural research with a strong focus on crop phenology, soil water dynamics, and climate stress management in grain legumes and cereals. He serves as a registered supervisor for higher degree research students. Research Interests: His work centers on improving agricultural resilience through modeling crop development under environmental stress. Key areas include frost and heat stress mitigation in lentils and chickpeas, irrigation and water policy impacts in the Murray-Darling Basin, and statistical modeling of wheat yield across genotypes. His research integrates agronomic, environmental, and economic factors to support sustainable farming systems. Recent Research Trends: Over the past five years, his publications have increasingly focused on data-driven approaches to crop modeling, combining field experimentation with advanced statistical techniques like LASSO regression. His work bridges plant physiology, environmental science, and agricultural economics, aiming to enhance decision-making under uncertainty in dryland and irrigated systems. Scientific Awards: Advising and Grants: David Luckett has co-supervised multiple HDR students, including Ray Cowley (PhD) and Cina Vipin (Master’s), in collaborative supervision teams. While specific grants are not listed, his research on water policy, cotton systems, and legume phenology suggests involvement in nationally significant agricultural projects, likely funded by Australian research councils or industry partnerships. Labs and Teams: He is an integral member of the Aspro Gulbali Research Institute, a leading center for agricultural innovation at Charles Sturt University. His collaborative network includes researchers from diverse disciplines, working on complex challenges in sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation.