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College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

graduate student

NC State graduate student Balihar Kaur evaluates zoysiagrass varieties in a greenhouse.

Dec 6, 2024

Student Spotlight Interview: Balihar Kaur

Meet Balihar Kaur, a crop science PhD student advancing zoysiagrass breeding to improve seed yield and sustainability. Recently, she showcased her skills by winning the beginner track at the 2024 N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative Hackathon, where she applied AI to solve real-world agricultural challenges. 

Mar 18, 2024

Soil Science Ph.D. Student Janson Wins 2023 Women In Science Prize

Soil may be the most undervalued natural resource on Earth. But NC State soil science graduate student Julia Janson has elevated its visibility by winning one of The Story Exchange’s 2023 Women in Science Incentive Prizes for her research on saltwater-affected soils.  
NC State graduate student Ty Seely poses in front of peanut plants in a greenhouse

Sep 11, 2023

Ty Seely: Speedy Peanut Breeding

Master's student Ty Seely was recently awarded for his work under Jeff Dunne on speedy peanut breeding. Read how shortening generation time is accelerating variety improvement. 
NC State researcher stands in a tobacco field

Nov 15, 2022

Ph.D. Student Maggie Short: Looping Back To Tobacco

Doctoral student Maggie Short is working with NC State Tobacco Extension Specialist Matthew Vann to develop nitrogen and potassium fertility recommendations for a tobacco crop new to NC - cigar wrapper leaves.  
Man in a white lab coat handles soil samples

Aug 9, 2021

Student Spotlight: Md Mahfuz Islam

Md Mahfuz Islam waited for six months and traveled over 8,000 miles to become an NC State soil science graduate student. Now nothing can stop him. 
A female student stands in a greenhouse

Apr 27, 2021

Student Spotlight: Greta Rockstad

We recently caught up with Greta Rockstad, a turfgrass crop science graduate student, to learn about her research and future plans. 

Oct 12, 2020

From Sunrise to Startups, Grad Students Plan Futures

CALS graduate students keep an eye on farming’s horizon. In labs and fields, they’re working to solve today’s problems and preparing to take on tomorrow’s challenges. 
diver in orange shirt collects weed samples

Sep 3, 2020

Student Spotlight: Andrew Howell

Who weeds the areas where our wildlife lives? Meet Andrew Howell, a Ph.D. student in Aquatic and Noncropland Vegetation Management. His primary focus targets innovations in vegetation management methods to benefit wildlife.