Past Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Alayna Jacobs (Ph. D. 2022)
Effects of alternative animal forage metabolites on soil trace gas production and microbial relationships in pastures.
Tall fescue endophyte influences on plant and soil microbial dynamics.
Currently as a Conservation Agronomist at Cargill, providing technical assistance for the RegenConnect carbon program.
Mahtaab Bagherzadeh (M.S. 2018)
Fungal endophyte diversity influences on tall fescue pasture sustainability and ecosystem function.
Currently working as a Senior Program Manager, Mississippi River with the National Wildlife Federation.
Lindsey Slaughter (Ph.D. 2016)
Nitrogen fixation dynamics of bacterial communities associated with tall fescue plants, both adjacent to red clover and free-living.
Colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on roots of tall fescue.
Response of AMF colonization to climate change and fescue genotype.
Currently an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University.
Becca Shelton (M.S. 2015)
Nitrogen dynamics and loss in conventionally and organically managed conservation agriculture systems with wheat and hairy vetch cover crops.
Currently working towards a Ph.D. in Sustainability at Arizona State University. Becca is also the Coordinator of Policy and Organizing for the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center.
Dan Weber (M.S. 2014)
Slug herbivory and climate change in tall fescue pastures. Trace gas emissions in turf systems.
Worked as Lab Coordinator in the Biology Department at UK.
Currently working as Production Data Analyst at Champion Pet Foods, Russellville, KY and pursuing M.S. in Statistics at UK .
Marie Bourguignon (M.S. 2013)
Ecophysiological responses of tall fescue genotypes to endophyte infection and climate change.
Ph.D. at Iowa State University
Currently a Technology Development Representative for the Mid-Atlantic Region at Seminis.
Ben Leffew (former MS student)
Efficacy of cool-season pasture renovation to native prairie in the bluegrass bluegrass region of central Kentucky.
Currently the Assistant Property Manager at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg, KY
Javed Iqbal (Post-Doctoral Scholar, 2009-2011)
Currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at the University of Nebraska.
Cody Burton (M.S. 2011)
Effects of long-term cattle grazing and vegetation type on soil microbial communities in dryland systems.
Currently working as an environmental consultant in Kansas.
Sarah Hall (Ph.D. 2011)
Restoration of tall fescue pastures to native warm-season grasslands: Does a fungal endophyte symbiosis play a role in restoration success?
Associate Professor & Chair, Plant and Soil Sciences, Berea College, Berea, KY.
Glade Brosi (M.S. 2011)
The response of tall fescue and its fungal endophyte to climate change.
Formerly Research & Development for Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, WA
Currently PNW Manager, WISERG, a startup that makes organic fertilizer from food waste
Jacob Siegrest (M.S. 2008)
The endophyte effect: ecosystem consequences of the tall fescue-fungal endophyte symbiosis.
Employed by the US Army Corp of Engineers, Huntington, WV
Past Lab Personnel
Ellen Green Research Technician(2016-18)
UK Natural Resources Conservation & Sustainability (2016)
Bridget Reed Research Technician (2017-18)
UK Horticulture (2016)
Currently in charge of greenhouse operations at Polly Hill Arboretum on Martha's Vineyard, MA
Lin Dong Visiting Chinese PhD student (2015)
Pierre Mas ENESAD, Dijon, France (2015)
Anna Joy Thompson Howard Hughes Medical Institute Scholar (2015)
Georgetown College (2016)
Michael Hurak Undergraduate Student Worker (2014)
Sustainable Agriculture, University of Kentucky
Jihan Ahmed Research Technician (2011-2013)
Luke Box Undergraduate Student Worker (2011-2013)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Eric Kalosa-Kenyon--Suburban Ecology and Invasive Species REU (2013)
Brown University (2015)
Investigation of the relationships between mycorrhizae, tall fescue, and its fungal endophyte.
Computational Research Associate at Indigo
Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics at UC Davis.
Dawn DeColibus--Suburban Ecology and Invasive Species REU (2012).
B.S. Ohio Northern University (2013).
Investigation of the tall fescue-fungal endophyte symbiosis in native grassland restoration.
M.S. in Ecology at Ball State University (2015)
Currently a Water Quality Planner with NEFCO in Columbus, OH.
Davis Jackson Undergraduate Student Worker
B.S. Plant and Soil Science, University of Kentucky (2012)
Dr. Nazia Nahid Research Specialist (2010-2011)
Marlène Erst ENESAD, Dijon, France (2011)
Allison Cooke Undergraduate Research
B.S. Biology, Transylvania University, 2011.
Does climate change affect forage quality of Kentucky pastures?
PhD in Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine (University of Cincinnati)
Currently works at AbaloneBio
Katie Harvey REU (2010)
B.S. Univ of KY, 2011.
Understanding the drivers of dryland decomposition in the desert southwest.
Currently works for the Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) as the Workplace Wellness CSA Program Coordinator
Alex Breton ENESAD, Dijon, France (2010)
Jarred Earnest Undergraduate Research
B.S. Chemistry, Asbury College, 2010.
Climate change effects on plant biomass production in a managed hayfield in central Kentucky.
Payton May Undergraduate Student Worker (2010)
B.S. Architecture, Univ. of Kentucky
Brian Bennett Undergraduate Research
B.S. Biology/Secondary Education, Asbury College, 2008.
Tall fescue endophyte infection frequency in managed, native grassland restorations.
Dr. Maria Almagro-Bonmati Visiting Scholar, CEBAS-CSIC, Murcia, Spain
Jessica Ballard Undergraduate Student Worker
B.S. Sustainable Agriculture, Univ. of Kentucky, 2009
Katie Routt Undergraduate Student Worker
B.S. Ag Biotechnology, Univ. of Kentucky, 2009
Amael Gy ENESAD, Dijon, France (2009)
Rachel Smith Undergraduate Student Worker
University of Manitoba, Class of 2013.
Lab Group, 2010
Back (L-R) Rebecca McCulley, Marie Bourguignon, Cody Burton, Glade Brosi, Jim Nelson
Front: Katie Harvey, Elizabeth Carlisle, Sarah Hall