1. Can you tell us a little about the conference and organization you won the award with?

I attended the 2024 American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) International Annual Conference also known as the Tri-Societies meeting. The conference was held for 4 days in San Antonio, Texas, and had over 4,000 attendees from 59 states and 52 countries around the world! In attendance with the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab led by my principal investigator, Dr. Matthew R. Ryan, I competed in a graduate student oral presentation competition within the Organic Management Systems section and won 1st place! My presentation was titled “Optimizing Weed Management and Crop Yield in Organic No-till Planted Corn Production.” In addition, I placed 3rd in the Organic Management section and was a finalist in the Diversity Student contest for my poster titled “Enhanced Weed Suppression and Profitability with High Seeding Rates in Organic No-till Planted Black Bean.” It was an honor to receive this recognition at an international level within the first year of my graduate studies.

2. How has OADI undergraduate help prepare you for the new challenges you are experiencing on your MS/PhD journey?

I am always vocal that OADI is a second family to me. I was also an undergraduate at Cornell and have been part of the OADI family since my freshman year. As a first-year undergraduate, I applied and was admitted as an OADI Research Scholar through the OADI Research Scholar Program (ORSP). The following year, I was admitted into the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and received the prestige of being a McNair Scholar. These programs, combined with the unwavering support of OADI staff and peers, have shaped me into a resilient graduate student, well-equipped to navigate the diverse challenges of academia.

3. What advice do you have for someone who wants to try and win an award or be successful in their research?

Awards and accolades are, to me, byproducts of a genuine passion for research—they’re like the cherry on top of a fulfilling journey of discovery and learning. My advice to someone aiming for success in research or striving to win an award would be to focus on the process and the purpose behind their work rather than the accolades themselves. 

Choose a research topic that truly excites you and stay persistent in building a strong foundation by seeking feedback, collaborating, and sharing your findings. Focus on making meaningful contributions and aligning your work with a broader purpose, as impactful research often leads to recognition. 

At the end of the day, focus on making your research meaningful to you and others. If awards come, they’ll be a testament to that dedication.

4. What would be your dream future job or career?

My dream future job would be a professor. 

Through professorship, I aim to fill the knowledge gaps in sustainable agriculture with research while teaching the next generation of scientists and farmers about the importance of utilizing ecological principles to enhance our cropping systems. The goal for my career is to make the largest positive impact possible within my respective field and currently, I see academia as a home to foster that dream.

5. Tell us a fun fact about yourself or your studies?

My current research focuses on designing and optimizing cropping systems to enhance resilience against climate change and soil degradation. Many of my friends simplify it by calling me an “agricultural architect!”