Everglades Soil Testing Laboratory - ESTL
Welcome New Members
Samuel Liss joins the Everglades Soil Testing Lab as an OPS Technician. Originally from North Carolina, moved to Florida in 2024. He brings a passion for research and innovation to his role as an OPS team member at the University of Florida's Everglades
Research and Education Center (EREC). Most of his time is spent in the soil lab, training under Dr. Rani Ramlakhan, to achieve credentials for a TEAMS position. Outside of work, Samuel has a passion for Natural Resource Management using BMPs, and Firearm Education. This experience blends his love for the outdoors with the commitment to
environmental stewardship.
Dr. Niguss Solomon Hailegnaw joins EREC as an Assistant Professor in the Agronomy Department and will serve as the Director of the Everglades Soil Testing Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Science/Soil Science and an MSc in Natural Resources and Environment from the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Czech Republic. His research focused on converting waste materials into soil amendments, such as biochar and ash, to enhance soil health, improve nutrient use efficiency, and maximize crop yields. Additionally, he investigated the integration of biofertilizers and slow-release fertilizers with soil amendments to further optimize nutrient use efficiency and boost agricultural productivity. Dr. Hailegnaw’s previous experience includes serving as a Research Coordinator in water resource research group at the University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center, where he worked on the UF/IFAS statewide effort to optimize fertilizer rate. Furthermore, he worked on other projects focused on understanding the impacts of flooding and salinity on the health of soil, alongside the development of mitigation strategies.
In his current role as an assistant professor of Agronomy, Dr. Hailegnaw primarily focuses on improving crop nutrient management practices for the most economically important crops of the Everglades Agricultural Area, including sugarcane, sweet corn, rice, and various vegetables. He also envisions introducing cutting edge technologies (Drones, sensors, enhanced efficiency fertilizers, biofertilizers and machine learning data modeling) to assist in crop nutrient management practices for the improvement of nutrient use efficiency, soil health, crop yield and minimizing environmental impacts. He aspires to work very closely with other faculties, extension agents and other stakeholders by prioritizing the needs of Everglades Agricultural area growers and the public in general.