Hima Varsha Madala
Ph.D. Student
Agronomy
Hima is from India and her Master's degree is from the University of Florida. She is currently in her second year of her Ph.D. Program working with the sugarcane crop and has current dissertation topic "Identifying Quantitative Trait Loci and Developing Molecular Markers for Tillering and Ratooning Traits in Sugarcane Crop".
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Carolina Tieppo Camarozano
Ph.D. Student
Entomology
Carolina Tieppo Camarozano is a Ph.D. student at the Everglades Research and Educational Center at the University of Florida. Originally from Brazil, she received her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo. During which she had the opportunity to come to EREC in an internship program (2019) with Dr. Julien Beuzelin, to work with corn silk flies. She kept the interest in working with Insect Pest Management and is now part of the UF Entomology department. Her research is focused on the management of the rice stink bugs complex, in the aim to find better solutions for growers, and on the study of their natural enemies in the Everglades Agricultural Area.
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MD Anik Mahmud
Ph.D. Student
Soil and Water Sciences
MD Anik Mahmud is a Ph.D. student in the Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department at the University of Florida. Anik is working on legacy-P chemistry, bioavailability, and capture under Dr. Jehangir Bhadha (Advisor) and Dr. Jonathan Judy’s (Co-advisor) supervision. To understand legacy-P chemistry and bioavailability, he is working on three types of soils (e.g., acidic, organic, and calcareous). For research, Anik uses advanced analytical machines, such as ICP-OES, NMR, and XANES. Before joining this program, he earned MSc. in IPSS from the University of Kentucky, where he worked on selenium oxyanion removal using passive anaerobic bioreactors. Anik also earned BSc. in the Soil, Water, and Environment Department at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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Simranjot Kaur
Ph.D. Student
Agronomy
I am Simranjot Kaur, a PhD student in Agronomy Department at University of Florida. I am originally from India where I earned my master’s and bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from Punjab Agricultural University. Currently, I am involved in understanding sugarcane mechanical planting in Florida using systems approach under the supervision of Dr. Hardev Sandhu.
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Byron Manzanero
Ph.D. Student
Lettuce Breeding
Byron Manzanero is a Ph.D. student, originating from Belize. He received his master’s degree from Delaware State University in agricultural science. He now forms part of the Horticulture department at UF, his focus will be on the lettuce breeding program, investigating the host-pathogen interaction of Lettuce and Bacterial leaf spot. He falls under the advisory of Dr. German Sandoya.
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Suraj Melkani
Ph.D. Student
Soil and Water Sciences
Suraj Melkani is a Ph.D. student, originally from India. He received his Master's degree from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and technology in Pantnagar, India. Currently, he is engaged in a research project that focuses on determining soil carbon stocks and stability in the Everglades agricultural area. This project employs an integrated approach utilizing data-driven machine learning models and spectroscopy techniques. Additionally, Suraj is involved in simulating the impact of various management practices on carbon dynamics and CO2 emissions. This simulation work is carried out using the crop simulation model DSSAT.
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Amandeep Sahil Sharma
PhD. Student
Agronomy
Amandeep Sahil Sharma is a Ph.D. student, originally from India. He received his master’s degree from Punjab Agricultural University, India. He is now a part of the Agronomy department and will be working on the evaluation of energy cane for bioenergy and sustainable agricultural systems under the supervision of Dr. Hardev Sandhu.
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Jesse Murray
PhD. Student
Horticultural Sciences
Jesse Murray is a Ph.D. student in the Horticultural Sciences Department working with Dr. Germán Sandoya. His work is related to Fusarium Wilt of lettuce, breeding and genetics. Jesse is also interested in outdoor adventuring, human health and nutrition, and international development.
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Noel Manirakiza
PhD. Student
Soil and Water Sciences
Noel is originally from Rwanda, Africa. He received his master's degree from Selcuk University, Turkey. As part of his PhD, Noel will be working on soil health sustainability and carbon sequestration in Dr. Bhadha's program.
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Xue Bai
PhD. Student
Soil and Water Sciences
Xue is originally from China. She received her master's degree from Beijing Normal University, China. As part of her PhD, Xue will be working on assessing conservation farming practices within the EAA in Dr. Bhadha's program.
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Vitor A. Silva de Moura
PhD. Student
Plant Pathology
Vitor, a graduate student originally from Brazil, is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Florida, at IFAS Everglades REC, where he works with Prof. Katia Xavier. He earned his bachelor's degree in Agronomy at the Federal University of Vicosa in Brazil. Vitor’s current research focuses on investigating tar spot and NCLB (Northern Corn Leaf Blight) diseases on corn in Florida.
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Tennyson Nkhoma
M.S. Student
Entomology
Tennyson Bilinkhinyu Nkhoma hails from Malawi. He is a master’s student pursuing studies in Entomology. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in agricultural science from EARTH University in Costa Rica, with a thesis on the use of bio-inputs for controlling phytopathogens (bacteria, fungi, and nematodes). Currently, he is engaged in a research project focusing on the integrated management of thrips as vectors of orthotospovirus in lettuce under the supervision of Dr. De-fen Mou.
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Brynn Johnson-Chace
Ph.D. Student
Entomology
Brynn Johnson-Chace is a Ph.D. student in the University of Florida's (UF) Entomology & Nematology Department. She is also working towards earning her minor in UF's Geography Department. Under the supervision of Dr. Julien Beuzelin, Johnson-Chace works on examining the movement and landscape ecology of major agro-economic pest, corn silk fly. Before joining the Everglades Research and Education Center in 2023, she earned her M.S. from UF working to rear honey bee ectoparasite, Varroa destructor, in vitro at the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory. Johnson-Chace also earned her B.S. from UF where she contributed to the development of a meta-analysis, reviewing the relationship between repetition priming and the progression of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's dementia while working with UF's neuropsychology department. Johnson-Chace's expected graduation year is 2027.
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Jairo Arcos Jaramillo
Ph.D. Student
Horticultural Sciences
Jairo Arcos is PhD student of Plant Breeding program originally from Colombia. He received his Bachelor of Agriculture Engineering at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and a master’s degree in Biotechnological Sciences from ICESI University in Colombia. As part of his PhD, Jairo will be working on plant breeding of lettuce, improving phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) under the supervision of Dr. German Sandoya.
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Yavonne Williams
M.S. Student
Entomology
Yavonne is a student and the Biological Scientist for Dr. Mou’s vector entomology lab. She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Broward College and joined the lab in February of 2023. Yavonne is currently working on her master’s in entomology and nematology. She has a wide range of interests including insect behavioral ecology, vector entomology, and pollinator management.
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Juan Sebastian Angel-Salazar
Ph.D. Student
Entomology
Juan is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida's Everglades Research and Education Center. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Agricultural Sciences from the National University of Colombia, specializing in Crop Protection. His research focuses on developing integrated pest management programs and fostering agricultural and biological research that contributes to sustainable farming practices. Under the supervision of Dr. De-Fen Mou, his doctoral research aims to improve aphid management in sugarcane by studying species composition, population dynamics, varietal interactions, and biological control methods within the agroecosystem. His goal is to reduce dependence on chemical controls, lower production costs, mitigate resistance issues, and minimize environmental impact.
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Lidysce Andrea Mata Cantarero
M.S. Student
Horticultural Sciences
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Berson Valcin
Ph.D. Student
Soil, Water, & Ecosystem Sciences
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Adrian Chavez
M.S. Student
Entomology
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Shakil Uddin
Ph.D. Student
Soil, Water, & Ecosystem Sciences
Md Shakil Uddin is a PhD student in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Florida. He is originally from Bangladesh, where he earned his BSc in Agriculture and MS in Agricultural Chemistry from Bangladesh Agricultural University. Shakil's PhD integrates soil chemistry, microbiology, and data driven modeling to address challenges related to phosphorus availability and use efficiency in agricultural systems in Florida. His work includes evaluating the use of commercial biofertilizers to enhance phosphorus use efficiency in sweetcorn production on organic soils, investigating the potential of chelators and siderophores to mobilize phosphorus in sandy Spodosols, and applying modeling approaches to unravel the complex dynamics of soil phosphorus availability in sugarcane and rice cropping systems of the Everglades Agricultural Area. Through this multidisciplinary approach, Shakil aims to develop sustainable phosphorus management strategies that optimize crop productivity while minimizing environmental impacts from phosphorus losses to surrounding water bodies.
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Getachew Kefelegn
Ph.D. Student
Agronomy
Getachew is originally from Ethiopia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Plant Sciences and Protection from Debre Berhan University and a master’s degree in Horticulture from Haramaya University. Getachew has worked as a lecturer at Debre Berhan University and Mada Walabu University in Ethiopia. Additionally, an experienced researcher for two international NGOs: Bridges to Prosperity and One Acre Fund. During his Master’s program, thesis focused on determining optimal plant spacing and nitrogen-phosphorus (NP) fertilizer levels for onion seed production. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. with research that centers on evaluating drone technology to assess crop nutritional status and develop predictive models. Getachew will also investigate nutrient dynamics in the organic muck soils of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA).
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Walter Wong
M.S. Student
Weed Science
Walter Wong is a M.S. student at the Everglades Research and Education Center at the University of Florida, in the Department of Agronomy, majoring in Weed Science. Originally from Panama, he received his B.S. in Agronomy from Zamorano University in 2023. During his undergraduate studies, he participated in an internship at the Weed Science Lab under the supervision of Dr. Calvin Odero, where he gained experience working with various crops and weed management strategies. Walter joined the University of Florida as a graduate student, continuing under the mentorship of Dr. Odero. His research focuses on the integrated management of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea) in lettuce grown on organic (muck) soils in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The aim of his study is to evaluate chemical and cultural strategies that optimize weed control while minimizing crop injury and environmental impact, with special attention to herbicide behavior in high-organic soils and the development of sustainable IWM programs for leafy vegetables.
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Aradhana Regmi
M.S. Student
Agronomy
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