Congratulations!

Rajat Sharma received the Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award in Crop Science from the Crop Science Society of America. This annual award recognizes top-notch graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in crop science disciplines. Departments select students based on academic achievements, research and teaching contributions, leadership accomplishments, service activities, and personal qualifications.

Nina Vazquez received the Robert O’Neil Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student in Biological Control from the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC). She will receive the award during the IOBC-Nearctic Regional Section annual meeting on November 11 in Portland, Oregon during the Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America.

Drs. Poonam Sharma and Kitty Cardwell were members of a team recognized for being voted as the best poster in the NPDN and Partner Organizations category during the 2024 National Plant Diagnostic Conference in Portland, Maine on September 9-13, 2024.

Departmental Seminars

New Faces

Mikaela Anderson is beginning her M.S. degree with Dr. Bruce Noden. Her research will focus on an on-host tick competition project. Mikaela received her B.S. degree in Entomology and Animal and Food Sciences from OSU in 2023.

Nicole Baker is the new Insect Diagnostician who began her position on August 25. She received her B.S. degree in Biology from Austin College in Sherman, Texas in 2020 and her M.S. degree in Entomology from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama in 2024.

Cherryl is beginning her Ph.D. candidacy with Dr. Shefali Dobhal. Her research will focus on using CRISPR/Cas gene-editing technology to understand and improve plant immune responses to bacterial pathogens by precisely targeting and modifying specific genes. The research aims to generate understanding for developing durable disease resistance, supporting sustainable and reduced-chemical crop management strategies. Cherryl received her B.S. degree in Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India in 2024 and her M.S. degree in Tropical Plant Pathology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu in 2025.

Dr. Shefali Dobhal began her position as an Assistant Professor in phytobacteriology on July 31. She has been a Junior Researcher in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii since February 2018. She was a Postdoctoral Fellow with Drs. Li Ma and Francisco Ochoa Corona from November 2010 – August 2014. Dr. Dobhal received her B.S. degree in Botany in 2002 and her M.S. in Biosciences in 2004 from Banasthali Vidyapith in Vanasthali, India, and her Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, India in 2009.

Connor Huffstetter is beginning his M.S. degree with Dr. Andres Espindola. His research will focus on the horizontal transmission of plant and insect pathogens among Helianthus specialist bees and bumble bees, with the goal of better understanding the dynamics of pathogen spread and its implications for pollinator health and ecosystem stability. Connor received his B.S. degree in Entomology from OSU in 2025.

Komal is beginning his Ph.D. candidacy with Dr. Shefali Dobhal. His research will focus on comparative and functional genomics, host–pathogen interactions, and the role of microbiome in bacterial plant diseases, with an emphasis on strategies for sustainable disease management. Komal received his B.S. degree in Agriculture from Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India in 2023 and his M.S. degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu in 2025.

Nimisha Maurya is beginning her Ph.D. candidacy with Dr. Mohammad Arif. Her research will focus on artificial intelligence and database development. She received her B.S. degree in Agriculture in 2023 and her M.S. degree in Agricultural Plant Pathology in 2023, both from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, India.

Jakob West is beginning his M.S. degree with Dr. Wyatt Hoback. His research will focus on an insect conservation project studying populations and distributions of a rare native tiger beetle. Jakob received his B.S. degree in Entomology from OSU in 2025.

Alumnus News

Dr. Damon Smith received the Excellence in Extension Award at the APS annual meeting on August 2-4 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a Professor and Field Crop Pathology Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dr. Smith was an Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology and Extension State Specialist at OSU from August 2007 to August 2012.

September Birthdays