Texas Tech University

2021 Poster Competition highlights grad students' dedication to research & science communication

Norman Martin

June 11, 2021

20th Annual Graduate Student Research Poster Competition

Five top-flight graduate students from Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources took high honors earlier this semester at the Texas Tech University Graduate School's 20th Annual Graduate Student Virtual Poster Competition.

The competition, which typically features more than 100 high-level projects, is seen as a professional development opportunity for students as they present their work to people who are not in their field of study. The actual posters were based on any basic or applied research conducted by the graduate student/postdoc as part of his/her graduate education.

“Students get a chance to practice being able to tell someone what they do and why it's important,” said CASNR Interim Dean Cindy Akers of the event.

First Place

Plant & Soil Science - Kyle Russell, a doctoral student from the Department of Plant and Soil Science. His project was titled, “Cotton Fruiting Response to Low Rates of 2,4-D.” His advisor was Peter Dotray, Texas Tech's Rockwell Chair of Weed Science with a Joint Appointment with Texas A&M Agrilife Research & Extension Service.

Animal & Food Science - David Vargas, a doctoral student from the Department of Animal & Food Science. His project was titled, “In-Plant Validation of Novel On-Site Ozone Generation Technology (Bio-Safe) Compared to Lactic Acid Beef Carcasses and Trim Using Natural Microbiota and Salmonella and E. coli O157 Surrogate Enumeration.” His advisor was Mark Miller, Texas Tech's San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Chair in Meat Science, Food Processing and Preservation.

Second Place

Plant & Soil Science - Ubaldo Torres, a master's student from the Department of Plant and Soil Science. His project was titled, “Herbicide Injury Detection in Cotton Using a UAV. “ His advisor was Peter Dotray, Texas Tech's Rockwell Chair of Weed Science with a Joint Appointment with Texas A&M Agrilife Research & Extension Service.

Natural Resource Management - Tara Durboraw, a master's student from the Department of Natural Resource Management. Her project was titled, “Are Mexican Spotted Owls Bugging Out? Examining How Janet's Looper Defoliation Impacts Owl Nesting Habitat.” Her advisor was Nathan Gill, an Assistant Professor with Texas Tech's Department of Natural Resources Management.

Third Place

Plant & Soil Science - Shaida Rumi, a doctoral student from the Department of Plant & Soil Science. Her project was titled, “Cellulose-Based Bioplastic Films Represent an Alternative Solution to Synthetic Plastics.” Her advisor was Noureddine Abidi, Texas Tech Leidigh Professor and Managing Director of the Fiber & Biopolymer Research Institute.

 

This story was first published in the CASNR NewsCenter. See the original article here.