Increased State Funding Supports Graduate Student Research
Educating graduate students multiplies the impact of faculty researchers while helping create the intellectual infrastructure to drive agriculture in the future. The fellowships listed below include those only made possible specifically by the increased investment in the 2007 Agricultural State Special. These fellowships are in addition to the approximately 500 University of Minnesota graduate students currently conducting research important to agriculture.
Renewable energy
- Thermochemical conversion of biomass to biofuels and biomaterials: Kevin Hennessy, PhD student, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering.
- Producing renewable fuels, growing biomass crops and alternative bioenergy crops: Margaret Mangan, PhD student, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics.
Livestock production
- Determining the effect on embryo growth and development from altering the concentration of progesterone during the culture of in vitro produced (IVP) beef embryos: Jamie Larson, PhD student, Department of Animal Science.
- Increasing the understanding of swine, sheep and cattle diseases by using comparative genomics and functions of DNA editing enzymes: Rebecca LaRue, PhD student, College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Nutritional management of equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM), a muscle disease in horses: Lisa Borgia, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Agronomic crops
- Proper management of nitrogen, phosphorous and other nutrients with precision agriculture: Michael Pinney, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics.
- Developing wheat and barley varieties resistant to Ug99, a virulent stem rust race that could arrive in Minnesota in future years. Chai Yun, Department of Plant Pathology.
- Economically and environmentally sound solutions for managing pyrethroid- resistant corn earworm in Minnesota sweet corn: Amy Morey, Department of Entomology.
Alternative and organic agriculture
- Improving the production and quality of organic vegetables and organic cropping systems: Adria Fernandez, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics.
- Alternative and pasture-based livestock options: Jolene Kelzer, Department of Animal Science.
Extending the Minnesota growing season
- Using high tunnels to extend growing season of crops such as greens interplanted with raspberries: Chris Pogliana, PhD student, Department of Horticultural Sciences
Other planned fellowships
- A graduate student being recruited will investigate antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds from native and naturalized plants.
- A graduate student is being recruited to study the economics of organic agriculture and sustainable food systems.
- Three fellowships to be awarded will jumpstart the research programs of new faculty being recruited to join the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences' faculty.