Shital Poudyal

Dr. Shital Poudyal

shital.poudyal@usu.edu

Dr. Shital Poudyal, is currently an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Utah State University in the Department of Plants, Soils & Climate.

Dr. Poudyal was a post-doctoral research associate in the Sustainable and Urban Horticulture lab in the Department of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech University from 2020-2021. His research focused on conserving fresh water quality and protecting the environment by using unconventional water sources for irrigation, reducing production inputs, remediating agrochemicals from runoff, and enhancing soil quality. He received his Ph.D. degree from Michigan State University, where he evaluated physiological, morphological, and biochemical responses of various ornamental shrubs subjected to irrigation with unconventional water sources. 

His  research included the use of biochar to reduce salinity stress, the effect of biochar in phytochemicals production of vegetable crops and the use of carbon-based bioreactors to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural return flow. He was also working in collaboration with various researchers on desalination related projects and developing hydroponics growing system for greenhouse crops at TTU. He, along with members from Simpson's lab, also aimed to carry out work to improve the production sustainability of greenhouse and horticulture crops in the Texas High Plains Region. Apart from his research work, he also mentored graduate and undergraduate students, developed lectures for undergraduate courses, and volunteers in professional organizations. He is currently a member of the Graduate Student Activities Committee for the American Society for Horticultural Sciences (ASHS).