Adrienne M. Gorny

NC State Plant Nematology Lab

Our research focuses on the biology and epidemiology of plant-parasitic nematodes of economic importance in North Carolina and the southeastern United States, including research on integrated management tactics, enhanced nematode diagnostics, crop loss risk analysis, and spatiotemporal analysis. Within this, our goal is to use knowledge gained from studies conducted in the laboratory, field, and greenhouse to drive informed monitoring programs and management decisions, thereby supporting economically and environmentally sustainable nematode management options. North Carolina produces a diverse array of agricultural commodities – our lab’s research primarily focuses on root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp., including M. enterolobii) and additional plant parasitic nematode species in sweet potato, soybean, corn, cotton, and tobacco.

Projects will include disease assays and disease management of Meloidogyne enterolobii in sweet potatoes. Most projects will be conducted within the lab and greenhouse but there potentially will be a few conducted field.”

There will be a mixture of lab and greenhouse work. There will be a couple of field days but majority of time will be spent on campus.

Alejandra Huerta

Phytobacteriology

Dr. Alejandra Huerta is an Assistant Professor in the Entomology and Plant Pathology Department. Her lab takes a basic and applied research approach to study the biology underlying bacteria-plant and bacteria-microbiome interactions with the long term goal of better understanding how plant pathogens infect their host and translating these findings into sustainable crop management strategies.

Summer interns participating in the lab will have the opportunity to learn both lab (75%) and field (25%) research techniques. In the lab, students will learn how to isolate and characterize bacterial plant pathogens using molecular techniques. These include polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, and whole genome sequencing. In the field, students will be exposed to plot preparation, field rating, and sample collection.

Learn more about Dr. Huerta, her research, and lab: phytobacteriology.wordpress.ncsu.edu

Alex Woodley

Sustainable Soils Lab

Dr. Woodley is an Assistant Professor in Sustainable and Organic Soil Fertility in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. His research program is focused on soil productivity and profitability in sustainable and organic cropping systems. Research initiatives include linking soil health indicators to productive agroecosystems, mitigation of soil greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses through leaching and nutrient management of inorganic fertilizers, organic amendments and cover crops.

Learn more about Dr. Woodley and his team at: sustainablesoils.wordpress.ncsu.edu/research-group

Alexa McDaniel

Very Berry Lab

The Very Berry Lab research focuses on providing science-based solutions that improve strawberry and grape production to North Carolina growers. The student researcher would be working on a grapevine project that aims to further understand the distribution, incidence, and vector populations of a lethal grapevine disease, Pierce’s disease. With an Extension focus lab the intern would additionally have the opportunity to help set-up and participate in Extension Workshops.

The student research will spend a significant amount of time under a dissecting microscope to identify and count Piece’s Disease (PD) vectors from insect traps collected by participating growers. One day a week will be dedicated to a long field day where we will travel to a grower vineyard to evaluate phenology and disease of PD resistant cultivars. As our lab also works in strawberries there will be exposure to greenhouse environments and the opportunity to join strawberry harvest.

Ben Reading

StriperHub / Pamlico Aquaculture Field Laboratory

The Pamlico Aquaculture Field Laboratory, located in Aurora, NC, focuses on researching the reproductive behavior, growth, and physiology of aquaculture species, with a particular emphasis on striped bass. The facility is equipped with a dormitory, sixteen 0.25-acre ponds, a hatchery, as well as a pier and boat ramp. The selected student will assist in a graduate research project that explores the use of pondside tanks as an alternative method for rearing larval striped bass.

The selected student will spend most of their time working outdoors in conditions that often include high temperatures, humidity, and occasional rain. Typical tasks include feeding fish, fertilizing ponds, managing hatchery operations, stocking larval striped bass, and assisting the graduate student with project-related data collection. In the later months, the student will also participate in harvesting the striped bass from the ponds using a seine net. Food and housing will be provided in the on-site dormitories. Opportunities will be provided to tour other commercial aquaculture farms in the state as well as interface with NC Sea Grant.

Learn more about Dr. Reading here

Dara Bloom

NC Farm to Preschool Network

The NC Farm to Preschool Network is conducting an assessment to determine whether there is demand for an incentive program that would transfer funds to child care centers to support their ability to purchase local food, and if so, how to best design the program. We hope that this assessment will give us the information we need to apply for future funding that could increase the ability of child care centers around the state to purchase food from local farmers.

This student will be expected to familiarize themselves with the topic by reading through a number of resources related to Farm to Preschool incentive programs. They will also undergo one on one training in qualitative methods with the faculty mentor so that they can help conduct social science research. This could include calling child care centers to ask them questions about local food purchasing, as well as conducting interviews with other stakeholders (for example, staff at the NC Division of Public Health, Extension agents/specialists, etc) to better understand the demand for and best way to design an incentive program. The student may also be asked for support designing and implementing surveys, and will receive basic training in qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Intern will be expected to meet weekly with the faculty mentor and other researchers from partnering non-profit organization and state organizations. Most of the meetings and interviews will be conducted remotely.

David Suchoff

Alternative Crops Program

Dr. Suchoff is an Extension Organic Production Systems Specialist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences.

Our program conducts applied field research in new and emerging crops. Current research involves fiber hemp for textiles and nonwovens, sesame, and developing alternative organic rotation systems. Our research is conducted on NCDA/NCSU research stations and on-farm across the state. We seek to develop sustainable production recommendations for these new crops and help derisk early adoption of these crops for our state’s farmers.

This student research will spend a significant amount of time outdoors with our field program collecting biometric data, soil sampling, maintaining field trials, and visiting collaborating farmers. Because our work is outdoors, individuals should be prepared for working in high temperatures and humidity.

Learn more about his work: ces.ncsu.edu/profile/david-suchoff

Emmanuel Torres

Vegetable Production Lab

We conduct research in vegetable production, with a lot of focus on tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli and cabbage. Our research focus on mechanization of production practices, development of low cost sensors, fertilization and irrigation management, and overall sustainability of vegetable production in NC.

The student will divide their time between laboratory, greenhouse, and field work. Responsibilities will include plant maintenance, data collection, and sensor installation in the open field; plant care and monitoring in the greenhouse; and the setup of small, often demonstrative experiments in the laboratory. We will also promote the participation of the student in field days, and farmers visits.

Hannah Levenson

Specialty Crops Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management Lab

Hannah is a community ecologist interested in investigating how humans impact the environment and exploring ways to mitigate those impacts. The Specialty Crops Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management Lab works to understand how humans impact the environment and how to mitigate those impacts. Our research focuses on insect community ecology in human modified landscape, with particular focus on pollinators in agriculture. Examples of our projects include developing integrated pest and pollinator management recommendations for spotted wing drosophila control in berry crops, researching pollinator habitat in agriculture, and understanding the impacts of land use change on pollinators.

This student will work both in the field and in the lab. Some project locations will be a several hour drive away from campus. Once at the site, we will use various sample collection methods. Lab work includes processing time sensitive samples, identifying insect samples under the microscope, identifying pollen types under the microscope, and identifying plant species.She uses pollinators in agricultural settings with concepts of integrated pest and pollinator management as tools to research these interactions. Hannah is a bee expert with experience researching both native bees and honey bees in US and international settings. She has investigated the impacts of pollinator habitat on bee populations, pathogen ecology, and crop yield. She co-authored “The Bees of North Carolina: An Identification Guide” and regularly participates in extension events educating the public about pollinator biology.

Learn more about Hannah at https://cals.ncsu.edu/entomology-and-plant-pathology/people/hklevens/

James Holland

Maize Breeding & Genetics

Jim Holland is the project leader for the USDA corn breeding and genetics program at NCSU. He obtained a B.A. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University, an M.S. in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. in Crop Science at NC State University.

The specific project will involve evaluation of the USDA seed bank’s collection of historical open pollinated varieties.

Student will spend vast majority of time conducting field work to pollinate plants and measure plant trials in the field in high heat and humidity conditions. Research plots will be at Central Crops Research Station in Clayton, NC. Transportation will be provided from seed lab.

Learn more about James Holland here

Mallory Choudoir

Ag-Eco-Evo Lab

Mallory and her group utilize molecular approaches to study soil-microbe-plant interactions. The goal of our research program is to develop microbial solutions for sustainable agroecosystems. We are evaluating the impact of beneficial microbial seed treatments on crop production and plant health, especially under environmental stress like high salt.

Summer interns will contribute to a project evaluating microbial seed treatments on crop production. Most of the time will be spent in the lab or greenhouse (microbiology and/or molecular biology methods). Depending on the project there may be days in the field (i.e., working under potentially humid and high temperature conditions) collecting soil and plant samples.

Learn more and follow Mallory at https://www.malloryjchoudoir.com/

Samuel Mwangi

The study aims to assess various nutritional approaches for alleviating heat stress in pasture-raised broiler chickens during summer. The project will explore innovative feed formulations and supplementation strategies designed to enhance broilers’ heat tolerance and maintain their health and performance under challenging summer conditions. By conducting these trials in a pastured environment, the research seeks to provide practical, applicable solutions for producers utilizing free-range or pasture-based poultry farming methods.

Students participating in this research project will engage in both field and laboratory work. In the field, they will dedicate substantial time to outdoor activities, assisting with general animal care for the pastured broilers and collecting samples. This hands-on experience will involve tasks such as moving pens, providing feed and water, and monitoring bird health and behavior. Students will also be involved in sample collection procedures, which may include obtaining blood, feather, or other biological samples as part of the heat stress mitigation study.

In addition to field work, students will spend time in the laboratory analyzing collected samples. This lab work may involve processing biological specimens, running assays to measure stress markers, and conducting data analysis. Students will gain experience with various laboratory techniques and equipment relevant to poultry research and nutritional studies.

Stephanie Kulesza

Animal Waste Management Lab

Dr. Kulesza’s research and Extension program focuses on nutrient management in animal agricultural systems, determining appropriate application rates to maximize crop production while minimizing the risk of environmental impacts in North Carolina. However, we don’t have specific information on the value systems of both manure generators and users, and we would like to interview producers to understand how manure is currently being marketed, how farmers are finding manure sources, and whether a centralized marketplace would improve manure distribution in the state. We will have multiple interns working to interview poultry and swine producers, row crop farmers, third party manure haulers, manure clean out service providers, manure energy companies, government employees, and alternative fertilizer companies.

The student will spend a lot of time in individual counties, conducting interviews with farmers.