Ferguson College of Agriculture

Aicha Biaou is a Ph.D. student advised by Dr. Steve Phillips. Before coming to Oklahoma State University, she had received a scholarship to study in Morocco, where she completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II in Rabat (IAV Hassan II).

 

“My final-year project focused on using hyperspectral and multispectral imagery to detect stress in avocado crops in the Gharb region,” Biaou said. 

 

She later applied for a Ph.D. position at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, where she worked on a research project proposed by the African Plant Nutrition Institute. The project aimed to optimize cereal crop production in Africa using remote sensing techniques. This is where she met Dr. Steve Phillips.

 

Biaou chose to join Dr. Phillips when he transitioned to Oklahoma State University and gave her the opportunity to follow. 

 

“Interestingly, before my first Ph.D. interview with Dr. Phillips in Morocco, I had already noticed OSU in his profile and spent time researching the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences,” she said. “He presented the opportunity, and I was already convinced it was the right choice. So, I applied without hesitation.”

 

Biaou’s research at OSU addresses the challenge of defining a new yield potential for corn in the U.S. Panhandle where water resources are limited. 

 

“Farmers often wonder how much they can stretch their water capacity while still growing corn successfully,” Biaou said. “My work focuses on identifying the best combination of water, nitrogen and seeding population to maximize yield while minimizing environmental impact, particularly greenhouse gas emissions.”

 

Biaou believes in the idea that even a small contribution from researchers can make a difference in global food security, and this drives her passion. 

 

“Our work can help extension specialists have more informed discussions with farmers and provide practical solutions for resource management,” she said. 

 

Taking an example from her research, if her findings are adopted, farmers could optimize their nitrogen and water use, reducing waste while maintaining yields. 

 

“Adding statistics or case studies here would further illustrate the impact of my work,” she said.

 

Biaou said the most rewarding aspect of graduate school at OSU is collaborating with researchers from different backgrounds. She also enjoys engaging in discussions, troubleshooting challenges and seeing research translate into real-world applications, which make the experience fulfilling. 

 

“I also enjoy mentoring students and sharing knowledge that can help shape future research,” she said.

 

After graduating with her Ph.D., Biaou said she is considering two main career paths: industry or academia. 

 

“Teaching last fall was an eye-opening experience that reshaped my perspective and made me seriously consider an academic career,” she said. “At the same time, I am also interested in working with international organizations that focus on improving farming systems worldwide.” 

 

Biaou wants her work to contribute to practical agricultural advancements, whether through research, policy, or on-the-ground implementation.

 

In her free time, she enjoys doing voice-over work.