Former team members (alumni, escapees)
Guelta Laguerre, MS 2023; Tenure: 2021-2023
- UCD Research: Guelta’s thesis research characterized the weed control efficacy and orchard crop safety of the PPO herbicide tiafenacil in support of potential future registration in specialty crops.
Andres Contreras Jr., MS 2023; Tenure: 2021-2023
- UCD Research: Andres’ thesis research characterized the weed control efficacy and orchard crop safety of several formulations of an experimental preemergence herbicide in support of potential future registration in specialty crops.
Guy Kyser, Specialist. Tenure: 2016-2022
- UCD Research: Guy was the co-Field Research Director of the Davis location of the Western Region IR-4 Field Program. He also worked in close collaboration with the USDA-ARS Aquatic Weed Management group located at the UC Davis campus. Prior to joining our group, he spent over 20 years as a support researcher working in invasive weed management with Dr. DiTomaso. Guy retired from UC Davis in 2022
Katie Martin, Ph.D. 2022. Tenure: 2016-2022
- UCD Research: Katie’s dissertation research was related to the fate of orchard herbicides in the soil environment as influenced by soil type and water quality and transfer of orchard herbicides to almonds during the harvest process.
Steven Haring, Ph.D. 2022. Tenure: 2017-2022
- UCD Research: Steven’s dissertation research focused on chemical and non-chemical approaches to weed management in perennial cropping systems and cover crop systems for orchard weed suppression.
Drew Wolter, MS 2020. Tenure: 2018-2020
- UCD Research: Drew’s thesis work focused on the biology and control of threespike goosegrass in orchard production systems.
Sarah Morran, Postdoctoral Fellow; Tenure: 2014-2019
- UCD Research: Sarah’s research related to understanding the genetics and mechanisms of glyphosate resistance in junglerice (Echinochloa colona) and risk of movement of resistance traits within and among weedy grasses in perennial and annual crops systems.
Caio Brunharo, Ph.D. 2018. Tenure: 2014-2018
- UCD Research: Caio’s dissertation research focused on glyphosate, paraquat, and glufosinate resistance in grass weeds of orchard and vineyard production systems.
Mariano Galla, Ph.D. 2017. Tenure: 2003-2017
- UCD Research: Mariano was co-advised by Dr. Kassim Al-Khatib and his dissertation research focused on the effects of herbicide drift on walnut and other tree crops.
Lynn Sosnoskie, Project Scientist. Tenure: 2011-2016
- UCD Research: Lynn’s research focused on weed ecology and biology with a particular interest in developing management strategies for glyphosate-resistant weeds in orchard and vineyard cropping systems. She also conducted research on herbicide performance and weed ecology in tomato and other annual fruit and vegetable systems.
Marcelo Moretti, Ph.D. 2016. Tenure: 2012-2016
- UCD Research: Marcelo’s dissertation research focus was on determining the mechanisms of resistance in glyphosate and paraquat-resistant Conyza and developing alternative management strategies for orchard and vineyard cropping systems.
Ruijun Qin (Ray), Project Scientist. Tenure 2010 to 2016.
- UCD Research: Ruijun’s research focused on fumigant emissions reduction techniques from preplant soil fumigation in high value California crops including strawberry, nurseries, and orchards. He was a liaison between UCD and USDA-ARS researchers and was located in the lab of Dr. Suduan Gao, USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Science Center.
Liberty Galvin, MS Student. Tenure: 2015-2016
- UCD Research: Liberty was an International Agriculture MS student who worked on a short-term project related to crop injury in alfalfa that appeared to be related to an interaction between the environmental conditions (extreme cold) around the time of glyphosate applications in the spring.
Wei Li, Assistant Specialist. Tenure: 2013-2016.
- UCD Research: Wei conducted research on soil borne pathogen control, primarily Pythium species, using molecular techniques to identify pathogenic species and validate molecular quantification techniques with traditional soil plating assays. This research was led by Dr. James Gerik, USDA-ARS, and was related to methyl bromide alternatives for high value cropping systems.
Bahar Yildiz Kutman, Postdoctoral Fellow. Tenure: 2013 to 2015
- UCD Research: Bahar’s research at UC Davis focused on exploring above- and below-ground interactions between glyphosate and micronutrients in almond and other annual and perennial crops. Bahar is a faculty member at Gebze Technical University in Turkey.
Zejiang Cai, Junior Specialist. Tenure: Ten-month internship during 2014
- UCD Research: Cai’s work supported soil fumigation efficacy and emission reduction research and also works on soil fertility issues. This work was a collaborative project with the USDA-ARS lab of Dr. Suduan Gao, USDA-ARS, San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Science Center.
Andrew (Bob) Johnson, M.S. Degree 2014. Tenure: 2012 to 2014
- UCD Research: Bob’s thesis research was related to developing non-fumigant approaches to managing aspects of the soil-borne pest complex that contributes to the “replant disorder” of second and later generation almond orchards. Bob also conducted herbicide efficacy screening, greenhouse and growth chamber work on the interactions of foliar pathogens and herbicide resistance, and worked as a UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Intern in orchard cropping systems during his degree program.
Sadikshya Rana Dangi, Postdoctoral Fellow. Tenure 2010-2014.
- UCD Research: Sadikshya conducted research on soil borne pathogen control, primarily Pythium species in cut flower and bulb nurseries. This research was led by Dr. James Gerik, USDA-ARS, and was related to methyl bromide alternatives for high value cropping systems.
Don Stewart, Staff Research Associate. Tenure: 2012 to 2014
- UCD Research: Don was the Field Research Director for the Davis location of the Western Region IR-4 Field Program for about eight years. During his tenure with IR-4, Don also contributed to the Cost of Productions studies in his work in the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department at UCD.
Sorkel Kadir, Visiting Scientist. Tenure: 2012 to 2014
- UCD Research: Sorkel’s research focused on laboratory and field assessments of herbicide fate in tree and vine crops following simulated off-target drift.
Ariana Rundquist, Programmer. Tenure: 2011 to 2012
- UCD Research: Ariana worked on an extension website project the USDA-ARS Pacific Area-Wide Program on Integrated Methyl Bromide Alternatives. This 5-year program brought together researchers in multiple states and crops to address issues related to the phaseout of methyl bromide for preplant soil fumigation.
Mary Joy Abit (Joi), Postdoctoral Fellow. Tenure: 2011 to 2012
- UCD Research: Joi’s focus at UCD was on chemical weed control, nursery and orchard crop safety, and laboratory evaluations of glyphosate absorption and translocation in glyphosate-resistant weeds.
Magdalena Zazirska Gabriel, Junior Specialist. Tenure: 2010 to 2012
- UCD Research: Magdalena’s research focus was on determining the distribution and level of resistance in glyphosate-resistant weeds from orchard and vineyard production areas in California.
Amit Jhala, Postdoctoral Fellow. Tenure: 2010 to 2011
- UCD Research: Amit’s research at UCD focused on weed and soilborne pest control in perennial nurseries using methyl bromide alternatives and herbicides.
Christine Rainbolt, Junior Specialist/M.S. Student. Tenure: 2008 to 2011
- UCD Research: Christine’s MS research was a collaborative effort among UCD, CSUF, and USDA-ARS and focused on using steam disinfestation as a methyl bromide alternative for cut flower growers. She also conducted several lab and greenhouse studies related to the soil degradation of an important orchard herbicide.