From Greensboro, NC, he moved to Raleigh in 2017 to earn a bachelor’s degree in Crop Science  with a minor in Horticulture. After graduation he applied to several grad school programs before being offered a tour and chance to speak with the members of Dr. Kerns’ lab in May 2021. This opportunity convinced him to pursue a master’s degree in plant pathology with a turfgrass focus. His work is primarily on the effects of fungicide timing practices and temperature on the development of  large patch, Rhizoctonia solani, in warm season grasses.