Katie is conducting research on using native plants in agricultural applications by analyzing insect pests, pollinators, and predator presence, cash crop damage, and soil health indicators. She returned to UTRGV after a year of traveling in South East Asia volunteering at several wildlife conservation programs and working as a research assistant at Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve. Katie is enthusiastic about connecting her passions of yoga, environmental awareness, and ecological conservation through the Mighty Trees Movement where she offers community events and classes to raise funds for restoration efforts.

Katie is grateful for the opportunity to study in this interdisciplinary program and excited to collaborate with a diverse network, including local farmers. With a heightened interest in collecting data on native flora and fauna interactions, she looks forward to better understanding the ecosystem dynamics of the Rio Grande Valley and providing resources to encourage farmers to bridge ecology and agriculture.”

Email: kaitlynn.lavallee01@utrgv.edu

Previous Research: UTRGV Food Survey

Qulina’s research focuses on exploring ‘Effective Inoculation Techniques’ in Leguminous cover crops to improve Nitrogen availability in soil. Considering the challenges in a sustainable approach of conservation farming and having a background in Organic Agriculture, she is committed to research more on different methods which would help aid and accelerate successful root nodulation in legumes leading to more Nitrogen fixation. Q likes to watch movies, cook, swim and go hiking in her spare time.

Email: qulina.rai01@utrgv.edu

Samikshya is graduate student at UTRGV pursuing her masters in Agricultural, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences. Her current research interest is to investigate the suitability of the North American lacebug (Gargaphia Arizonica) as a prospective biological control agent for Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum Elaeagnifolium) and to determine if the potato cultivar “Nadine” is attacked by the leaf beetle Leptinotarsa texana under field conditions. She received her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Punjabi University, India. She also worked in The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Nepal. Samikshya loves traveling, trekking and listening to music in her spare time.

Email: samikshya.subedi01@utrgv.edu

Roberto originally from Mexico, graduated from UTRGV with his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2019. He has participated as a research assistant in the investigation of wing insect development in direct developing insects, and in the proliferation of the ZIKA virion in the salivary glands of possible vectors. Now he is pursuing a Master of Science under Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences, hoping to use the skills he learned as a laboratory assistant to examine understudied avenues of research. In his spare time he enjoys baking, cooking, and spending time with his younger brothers and cat.

Email: roberto.reynaoviedo01@utrgv.edu

Lindsey is a master student and Sr. Research Technician for the Subtropical Soil Health Initiative, 3-year study on cover crops as a cost-effective soil restoration method for farmers in south Texas. Her independent research involves insectary strips on an organic farm with native and non native species to increase beneficial insect populations and decrease crop damage. Lindsey has years of experience managing the USDA certified organic agroecology research garden, volunteering on local farms and native plant nurseries, and freelance landscaping has led her to a meaningful career in agroecology where she enjoys working with students and farmers through participatory research action.

Jessie is a Graduate Student working on his Master’s in Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences. Jesse did his undergraduate in Interdisciplinary Social Science with a particular interest in how and why people oppress one another. Much of his studies led him back to the agricultural revolution, food apartheid, and resulted in his focus of food systems as a means of liberation from oppression. Jessie has done international work to learn first hand about the struggles he studied. He was also in the Americorps with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe working on food sovereignty initiatives in the region. Since then he ran the Sustainable Food Center Farmers' Markets in Austin for 1.5 years and worked with various farms, ranches, and native nurseries to get a better understanding and hands on experience of agroecosystems.

Now he is taking the next step and getting his Masters in Agroecology as a part of the Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences program at UTRGV. In this next step he has a particular interest in how human interaction with ecosystems can produce goods while also regenerating landscapes and relationships.

Email: jesse.barber01@utrgv.edu

Luz is a recent graduate from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with a focus on Environment and Society with a minor in Chemistry. She previously worked on multiple research projects varying from urban forestry to heavy metals in agricultural soils. Part of her prior work and internship experience includes community engagement, scientific procedures, fieldwork, and instrumental data analysis. She is interested in soil health, water quality, and environmental equity. When not working or on a mission to learn new things she enjoys exploring coffee shops, going on runs and hikes with her dog Bean, eating fusion food, baking, and oil painting.

Email: luzyannet.ballesteros01@utrgv.edu

Bio coming soon.

Email: suzanne.elhaj01@utrgv.edu

Email: iysha.flores01@utrgv.edu

Email: taylor.snowden01@utrgv.edu

Email: fallon.fraustro01@utrgv.edu