Industrial hemp is a newly emerging agricultural market in Tennessee, but there is a need for more research, state-of-the-art tools, and methods of production to advance the industry. Julian Cosner, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, is hoping to fill that gap by providing pest management strategies for Tennessee hemp growers. Continue reading
Graduate Student Spotlight
Graduate Student Spotlight: Brittany Panos
Panos holding a male Hooded Warbler
Agriculture and conservation have been on a collision course for generations. Farming provides critical food resources and revenue in agrarian states like Tennessee, but the environmental impacts of some farming methods can be devastating. From increased run-off and habitat loss, to chemical pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Brittany Panos hopes to provide support for efforts that make farming more environmentally sustainable through the intersection of agriculture and bird conservation. Continue reading
Graduate Student Spotlight: Matthew Longmire
Matthew Longmire grew up on his family farm in Clinton, TN, so it was no surprise that he became interested in research on agricultural systems. The fact that he can do this while incorporating another life-long fascination—bugs—is just the icing on the cake. Continue reading
Graduate Student Spotlight: Reagan Yessler
Reagan Yessler at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Traditional cartography has been a process owned by governments and empires for centuries. Historically, it has been a tool of exploitation—the result of European explorers tasked with mapping trade routes and colonial territories. The determination of borders and landmarks presented a single view of the world as seen through the lens of power and authority. Continue reading
Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, Brittany Zepernick was captivated by the tapestry of underwater seascapes that exist in exotic tropical oceans. Visions of colorful coral reefs and tropical fish originally peaked her interest in aquatic ecosystems. As she got older, however, it was a drinking water crisis that ultimately focused her interests on the freshwater systems in her own backyard.