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Dr. Bonny Oloka is a research scholar in the Potato and Sweetpotato Breeding and Genetics Programs at NC State University. His work focuses on genomic-assisted breeding, combining traditional and advanced plant genetics approaches to improve potatoes and sweetpotatoes. Dr. Oloka collaborates with local, U.S., and sub-Saharan Africa teams to design and execute breeding experiments targeting agronomic, pest, disease, and nutritional traits. He also contributes to developing electronic data systems for crop improvement and works on projects linking farmers and consumers to high-yielding, nutritionally enhanced varieties. Previously, Dr. Oloka served as a Senior Research Scientist with Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), collaborating with the International Potato Center and NC State on sweetpotato and cassava seed systems. He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from NC State in 2018.
Dr. Samira H. Daroub, Professor and Center Director at the Everglades Research and Education Center, is an expert in soil and environmental chemistry, with a research focus on phosphorus dynamics in organic soils under flooded conditions. As the Distance Education Coordinator for the Soil and Water Sciences Department at the University of Florida, she leads efforts to integrate research and education. Dr. Daroub’s work addresses critical environmental issues, developing Best Management Practices to reduce phosphorus leaching and enhance sustainability in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Her research extends globally, contributing to soil health and water resource development in regions like India and the Middle East. Recognized for her leadership, she was recently named President-Elect of the Soil Science Society of America.
Dr. Sydney Everhart is the Department Head and Associate Professor of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, known for her innovative application of molecular tools to study the biology and epidemiology of fungal plant pathogens. Her research focuses on economically significant diseases affecting crops like broccoli and Christmas trees, with a broader goal of understanding how pathogens evolve, particularly in relation to fungicide resistance. Over the past decade, Dr. Everhart has led or co-led many projects and has published over 20 papers in leading plant pathology journals. She also teaches graduate courses in plant pathogen ecology and professional development, while mentoring students and postdoctoral scholars. A passionate advocate for women and minorities in science, Dr. Everhart has co-founded a mentoring program for rural youth, promoting diversity in STEM fields.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Davis, the Austin C. Thompson Distinguished Endowed Professor at Louisiana State University’s Department of Entomology, is a leading expert in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with a focus on soybean production. His research aims to enhance sustainable pest control methods that reduce grower costs and improve yields, using a combination of biological, cultural, and chemical tools to regulate pests like stink bugs, soybean loopers, and aphids. Dr. Davis’s work provides critical insights into pest population dynamics and control tactics, contributing to the improvement of soybean IPM programs. His research also explores the impact of global climate change on pest populations, host-plant resistance, and vector-plant pathogen interactions. With a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Davis has published many papers in reputed journals and authored several influential book chapters on pest management and continues to make significant contributions to the field through his research, teaching, and extension work.
Dr. Mutti earned his Ph.D. in entomology and biochemistry from Kansas State University. He then pursued postdoctoral research at Arizona State University, initially studying queen and worker caste differentiation in bees, and later focusing on genomics and epigenetics in ants. He has over twenty publications including some in highly reputed journals such as Science, Nature, and PNAS from his Phd. and postdoctoral work. With a background in entomology/biochemistry, Navdeep has extensive experience at Corteva initially starting in biotech trait discovery in Delaware and Johnston (8 years) and now for the last six years in crop protection discovery. Currently, he specializes in imaging-based techniques for lab and greenhouse assays and collaborates with data scientists on automated scoring using machine learning.
Current role: Technology Enablement Lead
