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Graduate education Community

Overview

An important qualification for researchers today is the ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams. Agricultural systems are inherently complex, and the technologies for understanding and researching them are becoming increasingly multifaceted.

Our goal for the RegenPGC Graduate Education Community is to equip students with the necessary competencies essential for working across disciplines. This entails being able to relate to and understand the distinct disciplinary approaches utilized by different disciplines to address multivariate challenges.

Students in the RegenPGC Graduate Education Community actively engage in professional development workshops, seminars, and team-building exercises that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across the entire RegenPGC team. The ability to work in large, multidisciplinary groups is crucial for their ability to pursue their own career in research and will enable future research projects to achieve multidisciplinary outcomes.

In 2026, we will focus on these Graduate Student Community activities:

  • Developing competencies for working on large, interdisciplinary teams through participation in seminars and active collaboration with students working in different disciplines.
  • Strengthening community members’ skills in communicating science to a wide array of audiences, and
  • Promoting professional growth through participation in professional meetings and preparing manuscripts for publication.

Grads, Post-docs & fellows

Memis Bilgici Headshot

Memiş Bilgici

  • Plant Breeding & Genetics

Memiş Bilgici is a doctoral student and graduate assistant at Iowa State University (Agronomy/Plant Breeding), where the RegenPGC project supports his education.

Memiş graduated from agricultural engineering (B.S) at Ankara University (https://www.ankara.edu.tr/en/index) and also completed two master’s degrees Bangor University in the UK and Çankırı Karatekin University in Türkiye (Çankırı Karatekin University – Türkiye).

Memiş worked as an agricultural engineer (Maize Breeder) at the Maize Research Institute of the Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Memiş grew up in the small town of Kızılırmak, Çankırı, Türkiye, where he was exposed to various field crops and vegetables.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Thomas Lübberstedt (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
TBD

Career Aspirations
Memiş’s ambition has always been to become a plant breeder and scientist to help humanity worldwide. He enjoys traveling and discovering new things. Memis anticipates graduating in 2026.

Publications & Presentations

  • Bilgici, Memiş. (2026, February 27 – March 2). Trends in stomatal density and size in maize hybrids representing 100 years of long-term breeding for yield [Meeting & poster presentation]. 68th Annual Maize Genetics Meeting, Cologne, Germany.
  • Bilgici, Memiş. (2026, February 27 – March 2). Stable phenotypic shade-avoidance responses to low red/far-red ratio and shifting resource-use strategies in maize hybrids representing 100 years of long-term breeding for yield[Poster presentation]. 68th Annual Maize Genetics Meeting, Cologne, Germany.
  • Bilgici, Memiş. (2026, February 27 – March 2). Do we need dedicated maize varieties for perennial groundcover systems? [Poster presentation]. 68th Annual Maize Genetics Meeting, Cologne, Germany.
  • Bilgici, Memiş. (2026, February 25-26). 4-Trends in stomatal density and size in maize hybrids representing 100 years of long-term breeding for yield [Meeting presentation]. 2026 Corn Breeding Research Meeting, Cologne, Germany.
  • Bilgici, Memiş, Ebrahimi, Elnaz, Prada de Miranda, Leticia, Lira, Sara, Borras, Lucas, Young, Thomas, Yavuz, Recep, Moore, Kenneth J., Dixon, Philip, & Lübberstedt, Thomas. (2026). Trends in stomatal density and size in maize hybrids spanning 100 years of long-term yield breeding. Front. Plant Sci., 17:1829321. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2026.1829321
  • Bilgici, Memiş, Ebrahimi, Elnaz, Prada de Miranda, Leticia, Lira, Sara, Borras, Lucas, Young, Thomas, Yavuz, Recep, Moore, Kenneth J., Dixon, Philip, & Lübberstedt, Thomas. (2025). Trends in stomatal density and size in maize hybrids representing 100 years of long-term breeding for yield.” bioRxiv (2025): Submitted 2025-10.
  • Bilgici, Memiş Chen, Yu Ru & Lübberstedt, Thomas. (2025, November 10). Do we need dedicated maize varieties for perennial groundcover systems? [Poster presentation]. [Abstract]. CANVAS 2025, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/166427. ABSTRACT: https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-10-Tri-Societies-Bilgici-Poster.pdf. POSTER: https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-20-Memis-Poster.pdf
  • Bilgici, Memiş & Lübberstedt, Thomas. (2025, November 10). Trends in stomatal density and area-size in pioneer era maize hybrids representing a period of 100 years [Oral presentation: Abstract]. CANVAS 2025, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/167504. ABSTRACT: https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Tri-Societies-Bilgici-Oral.pdf
  • Bilgici, Memiş & Lübberstedt, Thomas. (2025, November 10). Trends in stomatal density and area size in pioneer era maize hybrids representing a period of 100 years [Poster  presentation: Abstract]. CANVAS 2025, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/c1/eposterview.cgi?eposterid=1322
  • Bilgici, Memiş, Yu-Ru Chen, & Thomas Lübberstedt. (2025, May 19–23). Do we need dedicated maize varieties for perennial groundcover systems? [Poster]. 2025 National Association of Plant Breeders Annual Meeting, Kona, Hawai’i, United States. https://napbannualmeeting.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NAPB_2025_Booklet_Digital_VF2.pdf
  • Bilgici, Memiş. (2025, February 4). Should we breed corn for use in perennial ground cover production systems? [Video]. YouTube. RegenPGC 2025 Lunch & Learn Webinar Series: Week 4. Corn Hybrid Performance within Perennial Groundcover Systems, Ames, IA, United States. https://youtu.be/LXFqrBAtYlQ
  • Bilgici, Memiş. (2025, February 4). Should we breed corn for PGC? [Webinar presentation]. RegenPGC 2025 Lunch & Learn Webinar Series: Week 4. Corn Hybrid Performance within Perennial Groundcover Systems, Ames, IA, United States. https://iastate.box.com/s/k1fyy3f1sp1bx2xnqgyb2ph29n9nypdb
  • Bilgici, Memiş. (2025, February 4). Field Notes: Should we breed corn for use in perennial ground cover production systems? RegenPGC 2025 Lunch & Learn Webinar Series: Week 4. Corn Hybrid Performance within Perennial Groundcover Systems, Ames, IA, United States. https://iastate.box.com/s/4240ciq4p0kddwhj1k3rk6qutqcf60np
  • Lint, Meggan, Lübberstedt, Thomas, Prada De Miranda, Leticia, Caixeta, Diego, Bilgici, Memiş. (2024). Comparative Analysis of Growth and Development in Maize under Shade (Low Red Far Red Ratio) Light and White Light Conditions Under Perennial Ground Cover Crop (PGC) [Poster]. Ames, IA, United States
  • Moro, Amina, Cheguri, Prathyusha, Rockson, Philip, Bilgici, Memiş, Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi, Myers, Gabrielle. (2023, August 6-9). Can we regenerate our land and water systems using the perennial groundcover (PGC) system? An overview. [Poster presentation]. Soil and Water Conservation Society 78th SWCS International Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States. https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-08-23-SWCS-Poster.pdf
  • Olowoyeye, Olowoyeye, Moro, Amina, Bilgici Memiş, Rockson, Philip E.,  Cheguri, Prathyusha, & Myers, Gabrielle. (2023August 6-9). Can we regenerate our land and water systems using the perennial groundcover (PGC) system? An overview [Poster presentation]. 78th Soil & Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States
  • Bilgici Memis, Chen, Jianru (Jane), Yavuz, Recep, Uberti, Alison, Santana, Alice S., Pereira, Gabriela, Caixeta, Diego, Gruening, Vencke, Frei, Ursula, & Lübberstedt, Thomas. (2023). Maize response to shade in climate chamber experiments resembling perennial groundcover conditions [Poster presentation]. RegenPGC Meeting, Corteva IA, 2023
Prathyusha Cheguri

Prathyusha Cheguri

  • Plant Breeding & Genetics

Prathyusha Cheguri has always been fascinated by science, which is why she studied Agricultural Sciences as an undergraduate and completed her master’s in Plant Breeding and Genetics. She also worked as a research fellow at ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India. This experience and her curiosity for research allowed her to develop knowledge on plant breeding strategies and various laboratory skills and to get well-versed in subjects like Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, Biotechnology, bioinformatics, and other agriculture-related subjects.

Currently, she is a Ph.D. student in the Genetics and Genomics Program studying how the summer dormancy trait is genetically controlled in Poa Bulbosa. The objectives of the experiments are to:

  • Evaluate the genetic variation for summer dormancy traits in the field.
  • Perform RNAseq to identify candidate genes for summer dormancy.
  • Conduct genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify genetic loci for summer dormancy.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Shui-zhang Fei (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability with Perennial Groundcover Approach Using Poa bulbosa

Current Skill Set
Prathyusha is broadly trained in various wet lab equipment handling, conducting field and lab experiments independently and in groups, problem-solving and project handling, data analysis, student mentoring, and scientific writing, besides communication skills for sharing research through presentations.

Career Aspiration
Building a career in agriculture as a researcher and motivating youth to pursue agriculture creatively and profitably is Prathyusha’s vision for herself.
Publications & Presentations

Publications & Presentations

Ralph Danquah Headshot

Ralph Danquah-Acquah

  • Ecosystem Services & Modeling

Growing up in Ghana, Ralph Danquah-Acquah witnessed smallholder farmers struggle with outdated methods and limited resources. Wanting to be part of the solution, he pursued a BSc in Agricultural Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). His undergraduate research examined how climate change affects rice yields using neural networks and climate projections, sparking his interest in linking data-driven modeling to real challenges farmers face.

After graduation, he served as a Teaching and Research Assistant in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at KNUST, where he supported student learning and research in soil, water, and climate-related topics. He is now an MS student and Graduate Research Assistant in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, working on modeling ecosystem services of perennial groundcover.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Amy Kaleita (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
TBD

Skill Set

  • Python, XLSTAT\
  • Machine learning (linear regression, random forests, neural networks)
  • Data analysis (quantitative and qualitative)
  • Determination, adaptability, and perseverance

Career Aspirations
Ralph aims to advance research in climate, soil, water, and ecosystem services by using GIS and remote sensing to model interactions that support sustainable agriculture and strengthen global livelihoods.

Publications & Presentations
Danquah-Acquah, Ralph. (2025). Modeling soil and water protection in corn fields with perennial groundcover [Poster presentation]. Ag & Biosystems Engineering 6010 3-Minute Thesis (3MT), Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States. https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3MT-slide_Ralph-Danquah.pdf

Alioune Diop

Alioune Diop

  • Soil Health & Nutrient Management

My name is Alioune Diop, and I was born and raised in Senegal, West Africa. During my childhood, I was involved in agriculture growing Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea) and black-eyed peas (Vigna Unguiculata) in Senegal. This journey alongside experienced farmers has allowed me to learn and develop a passion for plant biology and soil science. Additionally, attending Bethel University in Tennessee, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, has allowed me to perform experiments in the laboratory and fieldwork in Botany, Microbiology/Bacteriology, Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Richard Roth (RegenPGC Collaborator)

Thesis Title
Investigating the Fate of Nitrogen Fertilizer in Perennial Groundcover Corn Cropping Systems using 15N Stable Isotope Labeling

Skill Set

  • Field Research (Soil Sampling)
  • Laboratory Research (DNA Extraction, & Cell culture)
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Crop Physiology
  • Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Career Aspirations
I want to implement the practical application of the experiences I will gain at Iowa State University on PGC + corn cropping systems in order to mitigate soil degradation and improve the livelihoods of farmers across the African continent.

Publications & Presentations

Rickiel Franklin in the snow

Rickiel Franklin

  • Crop Ecology & Management

Rickiel Rodrigues Franklin da Silva is a Ph.D. Student and Research Assistant in the Iowa State University Agronomy Department. He was born in Brazil, where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and his Master of Science in Agronomy, with an emphasis on Sustainable Development, from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. He acted as a farmer in the Brazilian Cerrado, a sustainability consultant, and a business executive in an ag multinational company. He also served as a guest researcher in the “Land Use and Climate Change” project.

Rickiel has experience in the integration of plant and animal production systems, adapting to different edaphoclimatic situations, and in the RegenPGC project, acts on the physiological response of maize to light quality in different intercropping systems environments

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Ken Moore (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title Not defined yet, but the scope is “light and water competition in a maize-perennial intercropping system.”

Skill Set

  • Merging practical and theoretical knowledge
  • Crop Physiology
  • Phenotyping
  • Life cycle assessment

Publications & Presentations

Zoe Gray, RegenPGC Grad Student headshot

Zoe Gray

  • Soil Health & Nutrient Management

Zoe Gray is a master’s student in soil science at the University of Missouri, where RegenPGC CoPd Morgan Davis serves as her advisor. Zoe previously obtained her bachelor’s in environmental science from the University of Missouri.

As an undergrad, Zoe joined the soil judging team, where I competed in numerous competitions that focused on soil chemistry, biology, morphology, physics, and genesis. During her time with the team, Zoe found a desire to learn more about soils and decided to pursue her master’s degree.

As a new member of the RegenPGC team (April 2026), Zoe’s research will focus on the hydraulic conductivity of soils within a perennial groundcover system compared to a system with no ground cover. She will be focusing on hydraulic conductivity as well as water retention curves.

Career Aspirations
After completing her Master’s, Zoe hope to stay within the research realm and continue working in a lab space that strives to enhance agricultural methods with the integrity of the soil in mind.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Morgan Davis (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
Not defined yet.

Vipul Kumar at Iowa State

Vipul Kumar

  • Breeding & Genetics

Vipul Kumar was born and raised in the Indian state of Haryana, where agriculture is the predominant occupation. Having come from a farming background, Vipul was drawn more to agricultural sciences. He has completed his MS in Genetics and Plant Breeding with a Molecular Biology & Biotechnology minor subject from one of the leading agricultural universities of India, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, under the supervision of Dr. Surender Kumar Pahuja.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Shui-zheng Fei (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
Sandberg Bluegrass as Perennial Groundcover for Sustainable Crop Production

Skill Set
As an independent researcher, I have been involved in experiment design, field layout planning, sample collection, disease scoring, emasculation-pollination, crossing techniques, phenotyping, and the application of various statistical tools. My hands-on experience also includes FTIR, HPLC, ICP-MS, AAS, DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, PAGE, and bioinformatics tools..

Career Aspirations
As a passionate and aspiring plant scientist, I’m determined to revolutionize agriculture by leveraging cutting-edge molecular plant breeding technologies. My ultimate goal is to play a significant role in improving global food security and sustainability.

Publications & Presentations

Amina Moro headshot

Amina Moro

  • Crop Ecology & Management

Amina Moro is seeking a Master’s Degree in Crop Production and Physiology at Iowa State University (Agronomy). Amina currently holds a BSc in Agricultural Technology from the University for Development Studies, Ghana, where she earned First-Class honors. She is proud to be the first female to graduate with first-class honors since the department was established.

Amina describes herself as a highly self-motivated person and a great team player.

Graduate Advisors
Drs. Kenneth Moore and Professor Susana Goggi (RegenPGC CoPds)

PGC Research
Amina will investigate “Shade Avoidance Proximity between Corn and PGC.” The primary objective is to determine the R/fR zone of influence on the developing corn plant.

Skill Set

  • Critical/creative thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Project Management

Career Aspirations
Amina intends to pursue her doctorate in Crop Production and Physiology and improve her knowledge and skills by working with professionals in both industries and academia. She would like to own a non-profit organization to help farmers solve complex problems, especially less educated farmers in Africa. Amina expects to finish her master’s degree in August 2024.

Publications & Presentations

Philip Rockson headshot

Philip Ekow Rockson

  • Soil Health & Nutrient Management

Philip Ekow Rockson earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering in Ghana. Afterward, Rockson gained his first experience working with national farms. As he pursued his interests in technology, he had the opportunity to work with startups, gaining valuable experience in the industry. Eventually, he joined the technology division of a bank with a presence across Africa, where he worked on developing services and applications. Seeking to delve further into agriculture, engineering, and technology, Rockson returned to school to explore research opportunities in regenerative and precision agriculture.

Rockson defended his Master’s thesis, “Visualization of Agricultural Field Operations,” in April 2024 and has started a Ph.D. program at Iowa State University.

Graduate Advisors
Drs. D.Raj Raman amd Daniel Andersen (RegenPGC CoPds)

Thesis Title
TBD 

Skill Set

  • Software testing and management
  • Python programming
  • Project management

Career Aspirations
Providing consultancy services and running an agritech company.

Publications & Presentations

regenPGC Grad Student Alumni

Students who completed their degrees with the RegenPGC Project in Bold

  • Kavi Acharya, August 2024, Plant Breeding & Genetics (Iowa State University)
  • Bandana Bhusal, Aug. 2024, Plant Breeding & Genetics (Iowa State University)
  • Sagar Dahal, March 2026, Socioeconomic Impacts & Policy (Iowa State University)
  • Lindsey Diehl, Dec. 2023, Soil Health & Nutrient Management
  • Brooke Dietsch, Feb. 2022, Plant Breeding & Genetics
  • Max Eness, May 2025, Master’s Degree, Iowa State University. (Soil Health & Nutrient Management) 
  • Patrick Galland, Dec. 2022,  Master’s Degree, Iowa State University. (Plant Breeding & Genetics)
  • Modestos Modestou, March 2026, Soil Health & Nutrient Management 
  • Jacob Miller-Klugesherz, December 2025, Ph.D., Kansas State University. (Socioeconomic Impacts & Policy)
  • Jack Moran, June 2025, Master’s Degree, Iowa State University. (Crop Ecology & Management)
  • Oluwatuyi (“Tuyi”) Olowoyeye, June 2025, Ph.D. Iowa State University. (Ecosystem Services and Modeling)
  • Leticia Prada de Miranda, Dec. 2024, Plant Breeding & Genetics
  • Hallie Sandeen, December 2025, Master’s Degree, University of Kentucky (Crop Ecology & Management) 
  • Kiera Searcy, May 2026, Master’s Degree, University of Kentucky (Crop Ecology & Management) 
  • Malcolm Yusuf St Cyr, May 2026, Master’s Degree, Iowa State University (Soil Health & Nutrient Management) 
  • Kaila Topping, May 2023, Master’s Degree, University of Wisconsin – Madison. (Ecosystem Services & Modeling)
Sagar Dahal Headshop

Sagar Dahal

  • Socioeconomic Impacts & Policy

Sagar Dahal is a Ph.D. student in Agricultural Economics at Iowa State University with interests in price analysis, futures and options, risk management, and commodity markets. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal, and an MS in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His Master’s thesis, “Exploring the Presence of Nonlinear Deterministic Dynamics in Commodity Prices,” reflects his deep interest in understanding complex market behaviors.

During his Master’s studies, Sagar worked as a Graduate Research Assistant, where he gained experience in academic writing, data management, and analysis. He also gained teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant for Applied Econometrics and Introduction to Microeconomics.

In his free time, Sagar enjoys listening to music, watching movies, hiking, and camping.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Amani Elobeid (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
TBD

Skill Set

  • Quantitative Analysis

    • Statistical Methods and Econometrics
    • Data analysis using R, Python, Stata, and SAS
  • Research and Academic Writing

Career Aspirations
Looking ahead, I aspire to advance my career in research and academia, focusing on modeling and forecasting commodity markets and risk management. I am committed to deepening my knowledge and providing valuable insights to the field of Agricultural Economics.

Publications & Presentations

  • Dahal, Sagar, Elobeid, Amani Emani., & John M. Crespi. (2025). Integrating perennial groundcover in corn and soybean acres: Impacts on U.S. production and trade [Poster presentation]. 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27–29, Denver, CO, United States. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.361216
Max Eness headshot

Max Eness

  • Soil Health & Nutrient Management

Max Eness completed his Master’s thesis Maize Root Responses to the Presence of Perennial Ground Cover in May 2025. He graduated from Luther College in 2020 and worked for Corteva Agriscience before joining the Iowa State University Plant-Soil Interaction Lab.

Max completed his Master’s thesis, Maize Root Responses to the Presence of Perennial Ground Cover, in May 2025.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Marshall McDaniel (RegenPGC CoPd)

Master’s Thesis
Maize Root Responses to the Presence of Perennial Ground Cover

Skill Set
Science communication and ideation.

Career Aspirations
TBD!

Publications
Eness, Max. (2025). Maize Root Responses to the Presence of Perennial Ground Cover. [Master’s thesis, Iowa State University. https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/handle/20.500.12876/Qr9mN1Lr

Austin Landini headshot

Austin Landini

  • Socioeconomic Impacts & Policy

Austin Landini was a RegenPGC post-doctoral research fellow from Iowa City, Iowa. Austin has now joined RegenPGC as a collaborator working with RegenPGC Co-PD Dr. Keri Jacobs.

He completed his Ph.D. in Economics at Colorado State University in 2022. His research interests include Regional Economics, Geospatial Analysis, Behavioral Analysis, Demographics and Migration. As part of the REP program, Austin is excited to undertake research on the economic analysis of regenerative perennial groundcover crops. Austin will be working with RegenPGC CoPD Dr. Keri Jacobs.

At RegenPGC, Jack investigated the establishment of perennial ground cover, examining seed treatments and various establishment methods.

Thesis Title
Three Essays on the Local Economic Impact of Demographic Change

Skill Set

  • Data Analysis
  • Geospatial Data
  • STATA
  • Teaching

Career Aspirations
My ultimate goal is to play a significant role in improving global food security and sustainability. An academic job that includes a balance of teaching and research.

Jacob Miller Klugesherz headshot

Jacob Miller-Klugesherz

  • Socioeconomic Impacts & Policy

Jacob Miller-Klugesherz started his work with RegenPGC in May 2023. He completed his Ph.D in December 2025 and will begin his professional academic career as the Joe Hale Chair in Regenerative Agriculture at Kansas Wesleyan University.

Research Interests: socio-political barriers to farmer adoption of conservation agriculture, especially (perennial) groundcover; farmer identity and wellbeing; the treadmill of production driving the Ogallala Aquifer’s depletion; and moral foundations of the policymaking process related to agriculture and climate change. His past research focused on material semiotics, ecospheric rhetoric, and public speaking. A sixth-generation Kansan, his non-academic interests include cooking, gardening, and all things basketball. https://jam199540.wixsite.com/personalsite.

Graduate Advisors
Dr. Matthew Sanderson (2023-2025, Dr. Cornelia Flora (RegenPGC CoPd) 

Dissertation Title (Tentative)
Heal soil, heal soul: Enhancing regenerative agriculture, cover cropping, and farmer and community wellbeing in four Kansas counties

Skill Set

  • Leadership, public speaking, qualitative, ethnography, case studies, factor analyses, SEM/path analyses
  • Programs used: Otter.ai, Atlas.ti, Zotero Microsoft Office Suite, Google Sites, Wix Website Platform, Stata, IBM Amos and SPSS

Career Aspirations
Upon graduation (expected August 2025), Jacob would like to become a Kansas-based liberal arts professor while helping to sustain and study the local community food system.

Recent & Relevant Publications & Presentations

  • Miller-Klugesherz, Jacob A. & Flora, Cornelia B. (2025, February 24). Ethnographic case study of Pottawatomie County (KS) community capital stocks, cover crops, and conservation agriculture. (Version 1.0) [Data set ] Zenodo. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.14912002. https://zenodo.org/records/14912002
  • Miller-Klugesherz, Jacob A. (2025, February 5 & 25). Heal soil, heal soul: Enhancing cover cropping and farmer wellbeing in Pottawatomie County (KS) and the U.S. Corn-Soybean Belt. Kansas State University’s 3MT competition (Finalist). Manhattan, KS. United States
  • Miller-Klugesherz, Jacob A. & Flora, Cornelia B. (2025, February 1). 3C dataverse: Community capitals, cover crops, & conservation agriculture in the U.S. corn-soybean belt (Version 2.2) [Dataset]. Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/records/14782849. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.14782849
  • Miller-Klugesherz, Jacob A. & Matthew R. Sanderson. (2023). Good for the soil, but good for the farmer? Addiction and recovery in transitions to regenerative agriculture. J. of Rural Studies, 103, 103123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.103123
Modestos Modestou in the wilderness

Modestos Modestou

  • Soil Health & Nutrient Management

Modestos Modestou is originally from Cyprus but has lived in the U.S. as a naturalized citizen for almost twenty years. Modestos attended the University of Iowa and earned a B.S. in Biochemistry and a B.S. in Microbiology. After graduation, Modestos worked at the University of Iowa in several research labs, first as a research assistant, then as a research associate, and finally as a research scientist/lab manager. Modestos is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Soil Biochemistry and Microbiology and an Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Statistics.

Graduate Advisors
Dr. Marshall McDaniel (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
Impact on Soil Bacterial and Fungal Diversity in Maize Agroecosystems Intercropped with Perennial Grasses

Skill Set
I have extensive experience in molecular biology and biochemistry techniques as well as designing experiments and analyzing the resulting data.

Career Aspirations
I want to teach plant biochemistry and physiology at the college level, emphasizing sustainable agriculture.

Jack Moran headshot

Jack Moran

  •  Crop Ecology & Management

Jack Moran completed his Master’s in crop production and physiology at Iowa State University with the publication of his master’s thesis, Improving the establishment of Kentucky bluegrass as a perennial groundcover. 

Before coming to ISU, Jack graduated with a bachelor’s in animal and crop production from University College Dublin. Jack is from Ireland, where he lived on a family organic beef and tillage farm.

At RegenPGC, Jack investigated the establishment of perennial ground cover, examining seed treatments and various establishment methods. Jack completed his Master’s thesis, Improving the Establishment of Kentucky Bluegrass as a Perennial Groundcover, in May 2025.

Graduate Advisors
Drs. Susana Goggi and Ken Moore (RegenPGC CoPds)

Thesis Title
Improving the Establishment of Kentucky Bluegrass as a Perennial Groundcover

Skill Set

  • Good at applying theoretical knowledge in a practical field setting
  • A good ability to listen and learn from others.
  • Problem solving.

Career Aspiration
Now that he has finished his Master’s, Jack hopes to explore the area of regenerative agriculture and solve the issue of feeding the growing world population with fewer resources.

Publications & Presentations

  • Moran, Jack. (2025). Improving the establishment of Kentucky Bluegrass as a perennial groundcover. (ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, Publication No. 31933520) [Master’s thesis, Iowa State University]. ISU Library Repository. https://quicksearch.lib.iastate.edu/permalink/01IASU_INST/tuvqkh/cdi_proquest_journals_3244774285
  • Moran, Jack, Goggi, A. Susana, Moore, Ken J., Fei, Shui-zhang, & Gruss, Shelby. (2025). Improving groundcover establishment through seed rate, seed ratio, and hydrophilic seed coating. Agronomy, 15(8), 1927. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081927. OPEN ACCESS
  • Moran, Jack, Goggi, A. Susana, Moore, Ken. J., & Fei, Shui-zhang. (2025). Investigating Seed Treatments and Soil Amendments to Improve the Establishment of Kentucky Bluegrass as a Perennial Groundcover. Seeds, 4(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds4010016. OPEN ACCESS
  • Moran, Jack. (2025, January 28). Improving perennial, ground cover establishment with nurse crops, seed rates, and hydrophilic seed coatings [Video]. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 3 Selecting Perennial Groundcovers for Corn & Soybean Production Systems & Their Ideal Characteristics. YouTube. https://youtu.be/l0Inx3lXGgU. (See accompanying Presentation & Field Notes)
  • Moran, Jack (2025, January 28). Field Notes: Improving perennial ground cover establishment with nurse crops, seed rates, and hydrophilic seed coatings [Webinar presentation]. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 3 Selecting Perennial Groundcovers for Corn & Soybean Production Systems & Their Ideal Characteristics. Ames, Iowa, United States. https://iastate.box.com/s/zc592vfgvsg7djxpwyjtr3bdtfpfi611
  • Moran, Jack (2025, January 28). Improving perennial ground cover establishment with nurse crops, seed rates, and hydrophilic seed coatings [Webinar presentation]. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 3 Selecting Perennial Groundcovers for Corn & Soybean Production Systems & Their Ideal Characteristics. Ames, Iowa, United States. https://iastate.box.com/s/f23jn4pr5ysdmaqog5rrfjiqqdt5tjgk
  • Moran, Jack, Goggi, A. Susana, Moore, Kenneth J., & Fei, Shiu-zhang. (2024, November 13). Investigating seed treatments and soil amendments to improve establishment of Kentucky bluegrass as a perennial groundcover [Conference presentation]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/157106, (Recording available)
  • Moran, Jack, Goggi, A. Susana, & Moore, Kenneth J. (2024, November 11). Improving the establishment of Kentucky bluegrass as a perennial groundcover through seed rate, seed ratio, and hydrophilic seed coating. [Conference poster & Abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/157110, Poster (Recording available). Note: Jack was awarded 3rd place in the C4 Category, Seed Science & Technology, 2024 Tri-societies Conference
Gabby Myers headshot

Gabrielle (“Gabby”) Myers

  • Water Quality & Biosystems Engineering

Gabrielle (“Gabby”) Myers grew up in Underwood, Iowa. She completed her BS in biological systems engineering at Iowa State University in 2020. At Iowa State, Gabby is working on a Ph.D. in agricultural and biosystems engineering and is a trainee in the NSF research traineeship “DataFEWSion.”

Graduate Advisors
Drs. D.Raj Raman and Daniel Andersen (RegenPGC CoPds)

Skill Set

  • Data analysis
  • Fieldwork
  • Water quality

Career Aspiration
A research and teaching position in academia.

Publications & Presentations

  • Myers-Bailey, Gabrielle M., Rockson, Philip E., Andersen, Daniel S., Moore, Kenneth J., Helmers, Matthew J., & Raman, D. Raj (2026). Assessing the impact of perennial groundcover and interseeded annual cover crops on maize yield and drainage water quality. J. of Environmental Quality, 55, e70175. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.70175 Open Access
  • Myers, Gabrielle. (2024, Jun. 5). Assessing the Impact of Perennial Groundcover and Interseeded Annual Cover Crops on Corn Yield and Drainage Water Quality. Iowa Learning Farms – 2024 Conservation Webinar Series, Ames, IA, United States. https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/resources/gabrielle-myers
  • Myers, Gabrielle. (2024). Analysis and Assessment of Novel Food, Bioenergy, and Cropping Systems: Cultured Meat, Anaerobic Digestion, and Perennial Groundcover Analysis and Assessment of Novel Food, Bioenergy, and Cropping Systems: Cultured Meat, Anaerobic Digestion, and Perennial Groundcover. [Doctoral Dissertation, Iowa State University]. PROQUEST Repository and https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Gabrielle-Myers-Thesis.pdf
  • Myers, Gabrielle. (Feb. 2024). Water quality impacts of perennial groundcover in tile-drained corn production. [Presentation]. Iowa Nutrient Reduction Center, Focus on the Future: Students Discuss Water Quality Research, Ames, IA, United States
  • Moro, Amina, Cheguri, Prathyusha, Rockson, Philip, Bilgici, Memis, Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi, Myers, Gabrielle. (2023, August 6-9). Can we regenerate our land and water systems using the perennial groundcover (PGC) system? An overview. [Poster Session]. Soil and Water Conservation Society 78th SWCS International Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States. https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-08-23-SWCS-Poster.pdf
Tuyi Olowoyeye headshot

Oluwatuyi (“Tuyi”) Olowoyeye

  • Ecosystem Services & Modeling

     

Oluwatuyi (“Tuyi”) Olowoyeye has completed his Ph.D. in Ag and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University (Land and Water Resources Engineering) with the defense of his thesis, Ecohydrological modeling of the novel Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) system.

His interest in water sustainability is strongly tied to the water scarcity in the environment where he grew up in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Prior to completing his Ph.D., Tuyi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Ag Engineering with soil and water emphasis from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and a Master’s in Agricultural Water Management Engineering (University of Debrecen).

While on the RegenPGC team, Tuyi has deployed all his relevant skills to work on soil erosion modeling in the same system, a fragment of the grand objective. He is excited about the future when the work will become a globally recognized solution that all farmers, conservationists, and scientists are willing to adopt.

Oluwatuyi loves volunteering and service. Tuyi is one of the global ambassadors for Thought for Food and has been the president of the ISU Ag and Biosystems Engineering Graduate Student Organization. He loves listening to edifying music and enjoys reading a lot. He is a big fan of the public library. Anywhere he finds himself, he would still locate the public library, irrespective of the wealth of resources in his home.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Amy Kaleita (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
Ecohydrological modeling of the novel Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) system.

Key Field Experience Skills

  • Soil erosion modeling
  • Physical-based modeling
  • Spatial data analysis
  • Project management
  • Soil and water conservation

Career Aspirations
Researching and teaching! Oluwatuyi is looking forward to a future where he can innovate processes that would help better water and land management. Oluwatuyi anticipates graduating in 2024.

Publications & Presentations

  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi S. & Kaleita, Amy L. (2026). Towards modeling soil erosion in a perennial ground cover (PGC) system, Ecol Model. 511, Article 111365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel. 2025.111365. ABSTRACT https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-11-21-Tri-OlowoyeyeJournal-Abstract.pdf. OPEN ACCESS
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi S. (2025). Ecohydrological modeling of the novel Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) system [Ph.D. dissertation, Iowa State University]. https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/entities/publication/b4a79f4b-a587-47d1-9844-1d29c483f467. Available for download (PDF):  Olowoyeye_iastate_0097E_22291.pdf (3.7 MB)  
  • Olowoyeye, Olowoyeye & Kaleita, Amy. (2025). Investigating Erosion under Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) Using a Rainfall Simulation Experiment [Data set]. Zenodo. Investigating Erosion under Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) Using a Rainfall Simulation Experiment. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.15178377. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15178377
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi S. (2025, February 11). Perennial groundcover and their erosion control potential [Webinar presentation]. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 5 Quantifying & Valorizing Ecosystem Service Benefits for Perennial Groundcover in Corn & Soybean Production, Ames, IA, United States https://iastate.box.com/s/qpqhrm4puvabh66ohae7y6317blwvx5s
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi S. (2025, February 11). Field Notes: PGC impacts on runoff & soil erosion in corn & soybean production. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 5 Quantifying & Valorizing Ecosystem Service Benefits for Perennial Groundcover in Corn & Soybean Production, Ames, IA, United States. https://iastate.box.com/s/vxw1pvwmljmzopbekrcvznss3673ag34
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi S. (2025, February 11). Soil and nitrogen competition in perennial groundcover systems [Video]. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 5 Quantifying & Valorizing Ecosystem Service Benefits for Perennial Groundcover in Corn & Soybean Production, Ames, IA, United States. YouTube. https://youtu.be/vuY9x8OUyDE.
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi S. & Kaleita, Amy L. (2024). Investigating Erosion under Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) Using a Rainfall Simulation Experiment. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 40(6): 611-621. https://doi.org/10.13031/aea.15954.
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi, S. & Kaleita, Amy. (2024, October 24). Quantifying Sediment Deposition Rate with Erosion Pad Techniques under Different Cropping Systems. [Oral presentation]. RegenPGC 3rd Annual Meeting, Columbia, MO, United States.
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi. S. (2024, June 20). Save soil with next-gen landcover [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/357SGkPQlFc?si=fnATMlcrFdQSQ57c
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi. S. & Kaleita, Amy. (2024, February 16). Investigating Erosion Reduction Rate under the Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) system using the Rainfall simulation [Poster presentation]. Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Symposium, Ames, Iowa, United States
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi. S. & Kaleita, Amy. (2024, April 18). Can Perennial Groundcover (PGC) Improve Soil Health? [Conference presentation]. FFAR Fellowship Residential Session. Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi, S. & Kaleita, Amy. (2023, October 26). Investigating Erosion Reduction Rate under the Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) System using the Rainfall Simulation. [Poster presentation]. RegenPGC Annual Meeting, Johnston, IA, United States. https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Obj-4-Amy-and-Tuyi.pdf
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi. S. & Kaleita, Amy. (2023, September 20). Modeling Drought and Aridity in the Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) System. [Poster presentation]. Iowa Water Conference – Navigating Extremes. Altoona, IA, United States
  • Moro, Amina, Cheguri, Prathyusha, Rockson, Philip, Bilgici, Memis, Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi, & Myers, Gabrielle. (2023, August 6-9). Can we regenerate our land and water systems using the perennial groundcover (PGC) system? An overview. [Poster presentation]. Soil and Water Conservation Society 78th SWCS International Annual Conference, Des Moines, IA, United States. https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023-08-23-SWCS-Poster.pdf
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi. S. & Kaleita, Amy. (2023, July 12). Towards Modeling a Perennial Ground Cover Cropping System. [Conference presentation]. American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Annual International Meeting, Omaha, Nebraska, United States
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi, S., Kaleita, Amy, Raman, Raj & Anex, Rob. (2023, January 11). Soil Erosion Research under a Changing Climate Symposium. [ASABE Symposium Abstract # 23528]. A Specialty Conference of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, United States. https://doi.org/10.13031/soil.23528
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi, Kaleita, Amy, Raman, D. Raj & Robert Anex. (2022, September). Modeling Soil Erosion in a Perennial Ground Cover (PGC) System. [Poster Presentation]. Iowa Water Conference, Dubuque, IA, United States
  • Olowoyeye, Oluwatuyi. (2022, April 7). RegenPGC [Poster presentation]. 2022 ISU Graduate and Student Senate Poster Symposium, Ames, IA, United States
Leticia Prada de Miranda headshot

Leticia Prada de Mirada

  • Breeding & Genetics

Leticia Prada de Miranda (Visiting scholar, Iowa State University). Leticia sprent a year in Dr.  Thomas Lubberstedt lab where she had “great learning in developing double haploid lines in maize, cover crop systems with the RegenPGC group and molecular area, assisting in a gene editing project using the Cre-Lox methodology.)

Leticia is a Ph.D. candidate in genetics and breeding at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) in Brazil.  She is a graduate (Agronomy) of the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) where she obtained an MS degree in genetics and breeding.

While working on her master’s degree, Leticia worked on the adaptation of temperate, tropical, and mixed germplasm maize populations in tropical environments. Her thesis is on maize breeding, evaluating maize single crosses developed in our program, under different nitrogen conditions.

Graduate Advisors
Dr. Thomas Lübbersted

Key Field Experience Skills

  • Trial design
  • Data analysis
  • Maize and common bean breeding

Career Aspirations
Leticia looks forward to working as a plant breeder in industry.

Publications & Presentations

  • Prada de Miranda, Leticia, de Barros, Jean Marcos, Rocha de Souza, Rafael, dos Santos Pereira, Gabriela, Lübberstedt, Thomas, Oliveira de Lima, Rodrigo. (2024, November 12). Genetic diversity and relationships among flowering traits in a line panel from BS39 maize population grown under tropical environments in Brazil. [Poster presentation]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/159943. Poster
Hallie Sandeen headshot

Hallie Sandeen

  • Crop Ecology & Management

Hallie Sandeen completed her Master’s degree in December 2025. Hallie grew up in Winfield, Iowa. Hallie completed her B.S. at Iowa State University in the fall of 2023 in Agronomy with a Certificate in Soil Science. While at Iowa State, she was an undergraduate teaching assistant and was involved in the soil judging team. During her last semester, she began research on the RegenPGC project with Corteva, working in suppression trials.

In the fall of 2023, Hallie began her research at the University of Kentucky, working toward her M.S. degree in Integrated Plant and Soil Science with major professor and RegenPGC CoPd Dr. Erin Haramoto. Hallie completed her Master’s degree in December of 2025 with the publication of her thesis, Evaluation of Poaceae Species and Suppression Application Methods for Perennial Groundcover in Corn.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Erin Haramoto (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
Evaluation of Poaceae Species and Suppression Application Methods for Perennial Groundcover in Corn

Current Skill Set

  • Data Analysis
  • Field and Lab Work

Career Aspiration
To work in research and/or teach in academia.

Publications and Presentations

  • Sandeen, Hallie. (2025). Evaluation of Poaceae Species and Suppression Application Methods for Perennial Groundcover in Corn [Masters Thesis, University of Kentucky]. University of Kentucky Library Link: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_etds/200]. https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.541. Available for download on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
  • Sandeen, Hallie. 2025. Evaluation of Poaceae Species and Suppression Application Methods for Perennial Groundcover in Corn [Master’s thesis, University of Kentucky].
  • Haramoto, Erin, Sandeen, Hallie, Searcy, Kiera, Allen, Matthew, Legleiter, Travis, Schlautman, Brandon, Fei, Shui-zhang, & Phillips, Tim. (2025, November 11). Establishing perennial grasses for permanent groundcover in corn [Abstract]. CANVAS 2025, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/170731. ABSTRACT (PDF): https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-19-Hallie.pdf
  • Sandeen, Hallie,  Haramoto, Erin, Stombaugh, Tim, Legleiter, Travis, Schlautman, Brandon, Fei, Shui-zhang, Lira, Sara, Phillips, Tim, & Allen, Matthew. (2025, February 26). Evaluation of Poaceae species and suppression application methods for permanent groundcover in corn [Poster presentation]. 2025 Weed Science Society Association Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada
  • Sandeen, Hallie, Haramoto, Erin, Stombaugh, Tim, Legleiter, Travis, Schlautman, Brandon, Fei, Shui-zhang, Lira, Sara, Phillips, Tim, & Allen, Matthew. (2025, February). Evaluation of Poaceae species and suppression application methods for permanent groundcover in corn [Poster presentation]. 2025 IPSS Symposium, Lexington, KY, United States
  • Sandeen, Hallie, Haramoto, Erin, Schlautman, Brandon, Fei, Shui-zhang, Lira, Sara, Phillips, Tim, Legleiter, Travis, & Allen, Matthew. (2024, December 10). Evaluating cool-season poaceae species as perennial groundcover in corn [Poster presentation]. 2024 North Central Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO, United States
  • Sandeen, Hallie. (2024, October 24). Evaluation of cool-season poaceae species for perennial groundcover in annual cropping systems [Meeting presentation]. RegenPGC Annual Meeting, Columbia, MO, United States
  • Sandeen, Hallie, Haramoto, Erin, Allen, Matthew, Phillips, Tim, Fei, Shui-zhang, Lira, Sara, & Schlautman, Brandon. (2024, January). Perennial groundcover: evaluating Poaceae species’ establishment and weed suppression potential [Poster presentation]. IPSS Graduate Student Symposium, Lexington, KY, United States

  • Sandeen, Hallie. (2023, December). Perennial cover crops: evaluating Poaceae species’ establishment and weed suppression potential [Video]. YouTube. [2023 North Central Weed Science Society Annual Meeting  Student Extension Video Contest]. https://youtu.be/kidpvaIgUMY?feature=shared

Malcolm Yusef St Cyr Headshot

Malcolm Yusuf St Cyr

  • Soil Health & Nutrient Management

Malcolm Yusuf St Cyr completed his Master’s degree  in soil science at Iowa State University in May 2026 and was a member of the RegenPGC Graduate Education Community and the Soil Health & Nutrient Management Objective. Malcolm holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and global resource systems. Growing up and attending high school in Senegal, West Africa, Malcolm developed a passion for agriculture in middle school, aspiring to help Senegal achieve food self-sufficiency and become a leading agricultural exporter.

Malcolm’s current research focuses on nitrous oxide emissions and soil health within perennial grain cropping systems. Recently, he gave a presentation titled “Using Perennial Ground Covers in Midwest Agriculture to Sustain High Crop Productivity and Reduce Environment Impact” at the Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honors Society graduate competitive oral presentations at the 2024 82nd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, sponsored by Tuskegee University. On November 17, 2024, Malcolm was honored with a second-place award and a monetary prize for his outstanding presentation.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Marshall McDaniel (RegenPGC CoPd)

Publications and Presentations

  • St Cyr, Malcolm, Y. (2026). Perennial ground covers: A mitigation strategy to nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions for maize cropping systems [Master’s thesis, Iowa State University]. https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-19-StCyr-OFFICIAL-THESIS.pdf 
  • St Cyr, Malcolm. (2024, November). Using perennial ground covers in Midwest agriculture to sustain high crop productivity and reduce environment impact [Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honors Society Graduate Competitive Oral Presentations]. 82nd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference, Tuskegee, Alabama, United States
Kiera Search headshot

Kiera Searcy

  • Crop Ecology & Management

Kiera Searcy completed her Master’s degree in May 2026. She grew up in Hanford, California, where a huge diversity in agriculture surrounded her. Kiera received her bachelor’s in plant science from California State University, Fresno. At CSUF, she worked on the campus farm as a student assistant at the Ornamental Horticulture Unit, at Bayer Crop Science as an intern, and as a lab assistant at the University of California Cooperative Extension.

Kiera conducted undergraduate research evaluating weed control methods in a nursery container lath house setting and helped prove the first case of herbicide resistance in chickweed west of the Rocky Mountains. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree and serves as a graduate research assistant at the University of Kentucky, where she will conduct weed science research with an anticipated completion date of January 2026.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Erin Haramoto (RegenPGC CoPd)

Thesis Title
Kentucky bluegrass (poa pratensis l.) as a perennial cover crop: establishment and weed management in corn.

Current Skill Set

  • Experimental Design
  • Data Analysis and Collection
  • Field/lab work
  • Problem-solving

Career Aspiration
Upon completion of my master’s degree, I aspire to pursue a career that allows me to work hands-on with plants in an outdoor or horticultural setting, applying my knowledge of plant science and cultivation. I am also interested in exploring opportunities that involve teaching and sharing my passion for plant science with others.

Publications and Presentations

  • Searcy, Kiera S. (2026). Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis L.) as a Perennial Groundcover: Establishment and Weed Management in Corn [Master’s thesis, University of Kentucky]. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/pss_etds/204/  (https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2026.13b)
  • Haramoto, Erin, Sandeen, Hallie, Searcy, Kiera, Allen, Matthew, Legleiter, Travis, Schlautman, Brandon, Fei, Shui-zhang, & Phillips, Tim. (2025, November 11). Establishing perennial grasses for permanent groundcover in corn [Abstract]. CANVAS 2025, Salt Lake City, UT, United States. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2025am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/170731. ABSTRACT (PDF): https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-19-Kiera-Abstract-2.pdf
  • Searcy, Kiera, Haramoto, Erin, Allen, Matthew, & Schlautman, Brandon. (2025, February 25). Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) as a perennial cover: Establishment and weed management in corn [Oral presentation]. Weed Science Society of America Annual Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • Searcy, Kiera, Haramoto, Erin, Allen, Matthew, Flynn, Scott, & Schlautman, Brandon. (2025, February 14). Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) as a perennial cover: Establishment and weed management in corn [Poster presentation]. University of Kentucky Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences Symposium, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
  • Searcy, Kiera, Haramoto, Erin, Allen, Matthew, Flynn, Scott & Schlautman, Brandon. (2025, February 13). Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) as a perennial cover: Establishment and weed management in corn [Oral presentation]. University of Kentucky Annual Weed Science Meeting, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
  • Haramoto, Erin & Searcy, Kiera. (2025, January 21). Chemical weed control options in perennial ground cover production systems [Webinar presentation]. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 2. Perennial Ground Cover Suppression and Weed Management within Corn and Soybean Production Systems
  • Haramoto, Erin & Searcy, Kiera. (2025, January 21). Field Notes: Chemical weed control options in perennial groundcover production systems. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 2. Perennial Ground Cover Suppression and Weed Management within Corn and Soybean Production Systems. https://iastate.app.box.com/file/1752511662346?s=l5kbkp5vft2h25rcmv8dg1zkri7e23jx
  • Haramoto, Erin & Searcy, Kiera. (2025, January 21). Chemical weed control options for perennial groundcover systems: Experiences and options [Video]. YouTube. 2025 Lunch and Learn Webinar Series: Week 2. Perennial Ground Cover Suppression and Weed Management within Corn and Soybean Production Systems, Ames, IA, United States. https://youtu.be/LMHbt1yTwpU
  • Searcy, Kiera, Haramoto, Erin, Allen, Matthew, Legleiter, Travis, Flynn, Scott, and Schlautman, Brandon. (2024, December 14). Weed management strategies for establishing Kentucky bluegrass as a perennial cover crop [Poster presentation]. North Central Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Kansas City, Missouri, United States.
  • Searcy, Kiera. (2024, October 24). Weed management strategies for establishing Kentucky Bluegrass as a perennial cover crop. [Meeting presentation]. RegenPGC Annual Meeting, Columbia, MO, United States
  • Searcy, Kiera, Haramoto, Erin, Allen, Matthew, Flynn, Scott, and Schlautman, Brandon. (2024, June 27). Weed management strategies for establishing Kentucky bluegrass as a perennial cover crop [Oral presentation]. University of Kentucky Annual Pest Management Field Day, Lexington, Kentucky, United States
  • Searcy, Kiera. (2024, January 5). Haramoto, Erin, Allen, Matthew, Green, J.D., Flynn, Scott, & Schlautman, Brandon. Weed management strategies for establishing Kentucky Bluegrass as a perennial cover crop [Poster presentation]. University of Kentucky Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences Symposium, Lexington, Kentucky, United States.
  • Searcy, Kiera. (2023, December). Weed management strategies for establishing Kentucky Bluegrass as a perennial cover crop [Video]. YouTube. [2023 North Central Weed Science Society Annual Meeting  Student Extension Video Contest]. https://youtu.be/97pAksPywuc?feature=shared
Kaila Topping headshot

Kaila Topping

  • Ecosystem Services & Modeling

Kaila Topping completed her Master’s in Agroecology through the University of Wisconsin in May 2024. She worked with Dr. Rob Anex on the ecosystem services and modeling objective of the RegenPGC project. Prior to graduate school, Kaila received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Juniata College and then spent a few years working on small vegetable farms throughout the East coast.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Rob Anex (RegenPGC CoPd)

Career Aspiration
After obtaining her master’s degree, Kaila looks forward to getting her hands dirty again and hopefully owning/operating a mixed vegetable farm. Kaila completed her Master’s degree in May 2024 with the completion of her thesis, Simulation of the water balance in a perennial groundcover corn intercrop with the STICS crop model.

Publications
Topping, Kaila. (2024). Simulation of the water balance in a perennial groundcover corn intercrop with the STICS crop model. [Master’s Thesis, University of Wisconsin, Madison]. https://www.regenpgc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Topping-Agroecology-Thesis.pdf