Suman Andru
sandru1@lsu.edu
B.S. Agriculture, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agri. University, India, 2000
M.S. Genetics and Plant Breeding, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agri. University, India, 2003
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Collins Kimbeng.
Research Topic: Evaluation of Genetic Diversity among a Collection of S. spontaneum and Related Species using Molecular Markers

Ashok Badigannavar
abadig1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India, 1997
M.S. Genetics & Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India, 1999
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Gerald Myers.
Research Topic: Association Genetics for Quantitative Characters in Tetraploid Cottons

Hanamareddy Biradar
hbirad2@lsu.edu
B.S. Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India, 1998
M.S. Agriculture, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, India, 2000
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Prasanta Subudhi.
Research Topic: Enhancing Salt Tolerance in Rice using Genes from Salt Marsh Grass (Spartina alterniflora).

Mariana Bittencort
mbitte1@lsu.edu
B.S. University Federal e Uberlandia, 2002
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. James Griffin.
Research Topic: Seasonal Growth and Shading Potential of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrids) and Shade Response of Perennial Weeds.

Karen Blackburn
kblackburn@agctr.lsu.edu 
B.S. Horticulture, Southeastern Louisiana University, 2003
Currently working on a M.S. under the direction of Dr. Ed Bush.
Research Topic: Inundation of New Orleans Landscape Plants

Steven Borst
sborst@agctr.lsu.edu 
B.S. Turfgrass Science, Pennsylvania State University, 2006
M.S. Plant Science, University of Tennessee, 2008
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Jeff Beasley.
Research Topic: Evaluation of Creeping Bentgrass Heat Stress Mechanisms.

Sunny Bottoms
sbottoms@agceter.lsu.edu 
B.S. Agronomy, University of Arkansas
M.S. General Agriculture, University of Arkansas
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Eric Webster.
Research Topic: Biology, Ecology, and Control of Creeping Rivergrass in Rice Production.

Joseph Boudreaux
jboudrereaux@agctr.lsu.edu
B.S. Agronomy, Louisiana State University, 2006
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Jim Griffin.
Research Topic: Utility of Harvest Aids in Indeterminate and Determinate Soybeans.

Robert Burwell
rburwe1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Horticulture, Louisiana State University, 2007
Currently working on M.S. under Dr. Jeff Beasley.
Research Topic: Nutrient and Sediment Losses from Surface Runoff during Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Establishment on a Levee Embankment.

Somsubhra Chakraborty
schakr6@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agriculture (Soils Emphasis), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya – India, 2006
M.S. Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University – India, 2008
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. David Weindorf
Research Topic: Use of visible Near Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy for On-site Hydrocarbon Quantification in Soils.

Peggy Cox
mcox@agctr.lsu.edu 
B.S. Southeastern Louisiana University, 1980
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Charles E. Johnson.
Research Topic: Evaluation of Three Basil Cultivars, Ocimum basilicum, for Field Production and Essential Oils.

Julia Daigle
jdaig14@lsu.edu 
B.S. Environmental Management Systems, Louisiana State University, 2006
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Gary Barbee.
Research Topic: Rice Pesticides and Their Effect on the Genetic Makeup of Crawfish.

Syam Dodla
sdodla1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agriculture, ANGR Agricultural University, India, 1998
M.S. Soil Science & AgChemistry, ANGR Agricultural University, India, 2001
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Jim Wang.
Research Topic: Physical and Chemical Factors Controlling Carbon Gas Emissions and Organic Matter Transformation in Coastal Wetlands.

Michael Duet
michaelduet@ars.usda.gov 
B.S. Agricultural Business, Nicholls State University, 2002
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Gravois.
Research Topic: Genotype by Environmental Interactions of Advanced Sugarcane Borer Resistant Clones.

Rachel Eustis
reusti5@lsu.edu 
B.S. Environmental Science and Policy, University of New Orleans, 2005
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Carrie Knott.
Research Topic: Identification of Inundation Tolerant Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata) genotypes.

Robert Ferguson
rferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu 
B.S. Agronomy, University of Central Missouri, 2005
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Steve Harrison.
Research Topic: Cotton Double Cropped with Wheat.

Kiki Fontenot
kkarsh1@tigers.lsu.edu 
B.S. Psychology, minor in Horticulture, Louisiana State University, 2003
M.S. Horticulture, Louisiana State University, 2005
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Ed Bush.
Research Topic: The Feasibility of Using Select Landscape Species for Phytoremediation of cumene and 4-cumylphenol Contaminated Groundwater.

James Silva Garcia
jsilva9@lsu.edu 
B.S. Universidad Del Valle, 1995
Currently working on a Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Jim Oard
Research Topic: Rice Genetics

Rakesh Kumar Godara
jsilva9@lsu.edu 
B.S. (Hons.) Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India, 2001
M.S. Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India, 2003
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Billy Williams.
Research Topic: Weed Biology and Management in Rice.

Beatrix Haggard
bhagga1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agronomy and Range Management (Soils Emphasis), Tarleton State University, 2008
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. David C. Weindorf
Research Topic: Soil Temperature Regimes of the Transylvanian Plain, Romania.

Audrey Hall
Ahall11@lsu.edu 
B.S. Business Management, Louisiana State University, 2006
M.S. Environmental Protection and Management, University of Edinburgh, 2008
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Carrie Knott.
Research Topic: Development of Protocols for Germination of California Bulwhip (Schoenoplectus californicus) Seeds.

Justin Hensley
jhensley@agcenter.lsu.edu 
B.S. Extension Education
M.S. General Agriculture, Pest Management Emphasis, 2004
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Eric Webster.
Research Topic: Effect of Herbicide Drift on Rice.

Stephanie Johnson
sjoh159@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agronomy and Range Management (Soils Emphasis), Tarleton State University, 2008.
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. David C. Weindorf.Research Topic: Spatial Variability of Soil Nutrients and Metals in Bayou Wikoff, Louisiana.

Charanjiti Kahlon
ckahlo1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agriculture (Hons.), Khalsa College, Amritsar (GNDU), India, 2001
M.S. Agronomy, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India, 2004
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. James Board.
Research Topic: Analysis of Genetic Improvement for Soybean from 1950 to 2000.

Joseph Kraska
jkrask1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agronomy, Louisiana State University, 2005
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Gary Breitenbeck.
Research Topic: Soil Fertility Issues in Southwest Louisiana Rice Soils.

Lixia Liao
lliao1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Soil Chemistry, Huazhong Agricultural University, 1998
M.S. Environmental Engineering, Huazhong Agricultural University, 2001
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Magdi Selim.
Research Topic: Transport and Retention of Heavy Metal Ion (Hg and Nickel) in Soil.

Miao Liu
mliu1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Beijing Institute of Forestry, 2002
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Jeff Kuehny.
Research Topic: Development of a Rapid and Effective Screening Method for Basal Stress Tolerance of Petunia x hybridia.

Jennifer Mader
jmader5@lsu.edu 
B.S. Horticulture, Louisiana State University, 2007
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Jeff Kuehny.
Research Topic: Acquired Stress Tolerance for Improved Landscape Survivability.

Lou Ann McKnight
lmckni2@lsu.edu 
B.S. Plant Science, California State University -Fresno, 1999
M.S. Plant Science, California State University-Fresno, 2001
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Ed Bush.
Research Topic: Response of Selected Warm-season Turfgrasses and Ornamental Monocots to Short-term, High Concentration, Ozone Fumigation

Jose Mite 
jmite@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agronomy, Zamorano-Escuela Agricola Panamericana, 2005
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Jim Griffin.
Research Topic: Potential use of EPTC in sugarcane.

Emily Neustrom
2neustrom@agcenter.lsu.edu 
B.G.S. University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2002
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Carl Motsenbocker.
Research Topic: Urban Youth: Effects of Garden-Based Nutrition Program.

Samuel Ordonez
sordon2@lsu.edu 
B.S. Biology, Central Luzon State University cum laude, 1997
M.S. Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines, Los Banos, 2003
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. James Oard.
Research Topic: Association Genetics, Molecular Markers, Statistics and Rice Genetics and Breeding.

Albert Orgeron
aorgero@lsu.edu 
B.S., Animal, Dairy, Poultry, minor in Agronomy, Louisiana State University, 2000
M.S. Agronomy, Louisiana State University, 2003
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Jim Griffin and Dr. Ben Legendre
Research Topic: Sugarcane Ripeners

Dustin Parker
dpark17@lsu.edu 
B.S. University of Louisiana, Monroe, 2006
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Jeff Beasley.
Research Topic: Changes in Micro-Environmental Factors Effecting Bermudagrass Thatch Decomposition.

Tyson Phillips
tphillips@agctr.lsu.edu 
B.S. Biology, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, SD, 2000
M.S. Agronomy, Louisiana State University, 2006
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Gerald Myers.
Research Topic: Genetic Marker Assisted Selection in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) for Resistance to Root-knot Nematode.

Dana Maghee Shaw
dshaw8@lsu.edu 
B.S. Biological Sciences, Southeastern University, 2008
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Ed Bush.
Research Topic: Utilization of Ornamental Plants in a Cap Study.

Mohammed Stietiya
mstie2@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agriculture, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbed, Jordan, 1997.
M.S. Agricultural Resources & Environment, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, 2000.
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Jim Wang.
Research Topic: The Chemistry of Heavy Metals in Soils and Soil Amendments.

Danny Taverner
jtaverner@agcenter.lsu.edu 
B.S. Horticulture, Louisiana State University, 1998
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Jeff Beasley.
Research Topic: The Influence of Cultural Practices and Herbicides on Torpedograss [Panicum repens (L.) Beauv.] in Centipedegrass Eremochloa Ophiuroides [munro, hack]

Gregory Waldron
gwaldr1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agricultural Management, University of Florida, 1991
M.S. Agronomy, Louisiana State University, 2003
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Lewis Gaston.
Research Topic: Current Research Concerns Phosphorus Loss Mitigation Strategies for Louisiana Coastal Plain Soils.

Wenting Xie
xie1@lsu.edu 
B.S. Hunan Agricultural University, 2008
Currently working on a Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Jim Oard
Research topic: Tobacco Genetics

Marvellous Zhou
mzhou2@lsu.edu 
B.S. Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe, 1989
M.S. Agriculture, University of Natal, South Africa, 2003
Currently working on Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Collins Kimbeng.
Research Topic: QTL Mapping of Sugarcane Yield Traits Using AFLP, SRAP and TRAP Markers.

Zehua Zhou
zzhou2@lsu.edu 
B.S. Gui Zhou University, 1986
Currently working on M.S. under the direction of Dr. Jim Wang.
Research Topic: The Sorption and Desorption Characteristics of Antibiotics in Clay and Soil.