Former graduate students and post-doctoral scientists
Jared Fender MS 2026; Influence of Tillage and Fertilizer Placement on Corn Productivity. Currently a Principle Research Specialist with the Crop Physiology Lab.
Ava Isaacs MS 2026; Ability of Biological Products to Improve Soil Health and Productivity of Soybean. Currently a PhD student with Dr. Connor Sible and Dr. Frederick Below of the Crop Physiology Program.
Samuel Leskanich PhD 2026; Role of Root Architecture in Optimizing Agronomic Management of Maize. MS 2023; Does Agronomic Management Affect an At-Planting Fungicide Application on Corn? Currently an Agronomic Research Manager with Bayer Crop Science.
Gabriela Frigo Fernandes MS 2025; Fertilizer Source and Placement Affect Nutrient Mobility Through the Soil Profile and Productivity of Maize. Currently a PhD student with Dr. Andrew Margenot.
Miranda Ochs MS 2025; Hybrid Selection and the Interaction of Agronomic Management Practices on Productivity of Corn. Currently a Technical Agronomist with Asgrow/Dekalb.
Dalton Knerrer MS 2025; Managing Cover Crop Residues for Optimum Corn and Soybean Production. Currently a technical agronomist with Brandt.
Devin Koester MS 2024; Soil- and Foliar-Applied Tank-Mix Combinations to Improve Management of Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp. Currently a Crops Associate with Stephenson Service Co.
Darby Danzl MS 2024; Carbon Additions Can Improve Nutrient Cycling and Fertilizer Use Efficiency for Phosphorus and Potassium in a Corn-Soybean Rotation. Currently a Regional Technical Agronomist for the Illinois Soybean Association.
Marcos Loman PhD 2024; Factors Affecting Soil Nutrient Availability and Its Impact on Maize and Soybean Productivity. Currently International Agronomy Director with Brandt.
Logan Woodward, PhD 2023; Enhancing Efficacy of Agronomic Management of Maize through Synergies with Biostimulants. MS 2019; Enhancing Mineral Nutrient Availability and Corn Productivity with Biostimulants. Currently Product Development Agronomist with Pivot Bio.
Connor Sible, PhD 2022; Characterizing Plant Biostimulants and Their Impact on the Soil Microbiome and Productivity of Maize. MS 2019; Plant Growth Regulators and Biostimulants for Use in Varying Management Systems to Improve Corn Grain Yield. Currently Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Scott Foxhoven, PhD 2022; New Innovations for the 4R’s of Nutrient Stewardship to Improve Corn Productivity. MS 2019; Polyhalite Alters the Uptake and Partitioning of Mineral Nutrients in Corn. Currently the Global Field Trial Lead for Product Innovation with the Mosaic Company.
Eric Winans, PhD 2022; Innovations in Agronomic Management to Improve Maize Productivity. MS 2019; Nitrogen Fertility, Plant Population, Row Spacing, and Hybrid Effects on Corn Grain Yield. Currently the Director of Agronomy at Brandt.
Stephen Schwartz, MS 2022; Managing Nitrogen Availability for Increased Yield of Corn and Soybean. Currently the Crop Care Collaboration Manager for US and Canada with John Deere.
Derek Lenzen, MS 2022; Biostimulants and Phosphorus Fertilizer to Improve Growth and Productivity of Corn. Currently the Product Development Agronomist for WI/MN with Pivot Bio.
Vitor Rampazzo Favoretto, PhD 2022; Agronomic Management to Simultaneously Increase Yield and Seed Nutritional Quality of Soybean. MS 2019; A Meta-analysis of How Management Practices Affect Soybean Yield and Quality. Currently working with CHS, Inc.
Dylan Guenzburger, MS 2020; Improved Agronomic Management of Corn and Soybean to Increase Productivity. Currently Field Scientist at Syngenta.
Keith Ehnle, MS 2020; Agronomic Management and Biostimulants to Increase Corn and Soybean Productivity. Currently Managing the Family Farm.
Ben Wiegmann, MS 2019; Maximizing Corn Yield Potential through Proper Rate, Placement, and Timing of Nitrogen Fertility. Currently Field Sales Agronomist with Beck’s Hybrids.
Alison Vogel, PhD 2019; Managing the Continuous Corn Yield Penalty with Crop and Residue Management. MS 2015; The Sustainability of Tropical Maize as an Alternative Biofuel or Silage Crop. Currently Agronomist with CNH Industrial.
Brad Bernhard, PhD 2019; Agronomic Management to Improve Corn Productivity under High-Yielding Environments. MS 2016; Innovative Foliar Micronutrient Sources in High-Yielding Corn Environments. Currently an Agronomic Research Scientist with Syngenta.
Tryston Beyrer, PhD 2018; Innovations in Fertilizer Use and Agronomic Management for Greater Productivity of Corn and Soybean. MS 2014; Optimizing Nutrient Availability for High-Yield Corn Production. Currently Crop Nutrition Lead for Western North America with Mosaic.
Shelby Mann, MS 2017; The Use of Fertilizer Nitrogen Applications to Increase Productivity of Soybean.
Andrew Harmon, MS 2017; Use of Strigolactone for Stress Relief and Increased Productivity in High-Yielding Environments. Currently with CNH Industrial.
Adriano Terras Mastrodomenico, PhD 2017; Agronomic and Marker-Assisted Breeding Strategies for Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Maize. Currently working with Limagrain.
Katie Parker, MS 2016; Agronomic Management of Soybean with Foliar Manganese and Apical Meristem Alterations. Currently with Bayer.
Cole Hendrix, MS 2015; Identifying Variability for Nitrogen Use Traits Among and Within Maize Heterotic Groups using ex-PVP Germplasm. Currently with Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
Ross Bender, PhD 2015: Agronomic and Nutritional Considerations for Increased Soybean Productivity; and MS 2012: Nutrient Uptake and Partitioning in High-Yielding Corn. Currently with The Mosaic Company
Brad Bandy, MS 2014; Response to Planting Density for Corn Hybrids Grown Under Narrow and Conventional Row Spacing. Currently with Bayer.
Jack Marshall, MS 2014; Understanding Variability Associated with Corn grain Yield Response to Foliar Fungicide Application. Currently with BASF.
Laura Gentry, Research Asst. Professor 2010-2013. Currently Adjunct Asst. Professor, UIUC and Illinois Corn Growers Association.
Kyle Vogelzang, MS 2013: Minimizing the Continuous Maize Penalty Through Intense Management. Currently with Evergreen FS.
Jason Haegele, PhD 2012: Genetic and Agronomic Approaches for Improving Nitrogen Use and Maize Productivity; and MS 2009. Currently with ICL.
Ryan Becker, MS 2012; Management of Higher Populations in Maize. Currently with Bayer.
Adam Henninger, MS 2012; Analysis of Management Factor Contributions to High-Yielding Corn Production Systems. Currently with Bayer.
Luke Cole, MS 2011; Corn Yield Response to Twin Rows and 30″ Rows. Currently with Climate corp.
Wendy White, MS 2010; Sugar, Biomass, and Biofuel Potential of Temperate by Tropical Maize Crosses. Currently HS Science teacher.
Kateri Duncan, Post-doctoral associate 2007-2008; Currently with Syngenta.
Martin Uribelarrea, PhD 2007; Physiological Characterization of Nitrogen Use in Maize: Opportunities for Improvement. MS 2003: Productivity and Nitrogen Use of Maize Hybrids Derived from the Illinois Protein Strains. Currently with Bayer.
Jeff Wessel, PhD 2007; Value of Cultural Practices for Improving Nitrogen Management in Corn. MS 1999; An On Farm Evaluation of Amisorb, Starter Fertilizer, Sidedress N, and Time of Ammonium Sulfate Application. Currently with Corn Belt Ag.
Allen Becker, MS 2007; The Physiology and Management of Continuous Corn. Currently with Grow Pro Genetics.
Matias Ruffo, Post-doctoral associate 2004-2007; Currently with Koch Agronomic Services.
Jerome Bergerou, MS 2001; Role of Nodules in the Beneficial Impact of Soybean on the Following Corn Crop. Last known with Accuracast, UK.
Kent Rorem, MS 2000; Agronomic and Physiological Evaluation of Postemergence Herbicide Applications on Glyphosate- tolerant Soybean. Last known with NC Dept. of Agriculture.
Jeff Yockey, PhD 1998; Evaluation of Nitrogen Sources, Starter Fertilizers, and Amendments for No-Till Corn Production. Currently with Univ. Ill Urbana- Champaign.
Albana Zeko, MS1998; Role of Root Morphology and Iron Source in Enhancement in Nutrient Use by Polyaspartic Acid. Currently with University of Alberta.
Qingyuan Sun, PhD 1997; Role of N in Controlling Kernel Growth in Maize.
Xingting Wang, PhD 1995; Physiological Aspects Associated with Mixed-N Induced Increases in Growth and Tillering of Wheat. MS 1990; Influence of Nitrogen Form on Growth and Tillering of Wheat. Last known with Intertek.
Louis Mumera, PhD 1992; Nitrogen and Genotype Effects on Assimilate Partitioning and Resistance to Striga in Maize. Currently with Edgerton University, Kenya.
Ken Smiciklas, PhD 1991; Physiological Role of Mixed Nitrogen Nutrition in Enhancing Productivity of Maize. Currently Professor at Illinois State University.
Insun Ho, PhD 1990; Biochemical Basis for Differential Leaf Senescence of Two Maize Hybrids. Last known with Abbott Laboratories.
Lowell Gentry, MS 1990; Effect of Nitrogen Form and Availability on the Productivity of Maize. Last known with University of Illinois.
Tom Williams, MS 1990; Plant Traits Related to Productivity in Four Heterotic Patterns of Maize Hybrids.
Juliann Czyzewicz, MS 1990; An In Vitro Approach to Understanding Nitrogen Use in Maize. Currently with the Crop Physiology Laboratory as Principal Research Specialist.
George Singletary, PhD 1989; Regulation of Growth and Storage Product Metabolism in Cultured Kernels of Maize. Last known as a contract researcher.
Jill Heberer, MS 1987; Effect of Mixtures of Nitrate and Ammonium on N Utilization and Productivity of Wheat. Last known with Rovia Travel.
Colleen Wyss, MS 1986; Characterization of Chemical Composition and Interactions in the Grain and Stover of the Illinois Protein Strains of Maize.
International visiting scholars and research assistants
Michel Bosmuller – 2025 (Brazil)
Arthur Stasiak Jadoski – 2025 (Brazil)
Lilian Gobel Kortstee – 2025 (Brazil)
Yasmin Castro Figueiredo – 2024 (Brazil)
Pedro gijsbertus van Melis – 2024 (Brazil)
Eric Herman Morsink – 2024 (Brazil)
Amanda Beckers – 2023 (Brazil)
Julia Isaac – 2023 (Brazil)
Pieter Schoenmaker 2023 (Brazil)
Fabricio Geraldíni- 2022 (Brazil)
Fábio van de Groes Swart- 2022 (Brazil)
Sarah Machado- 2020 (Brazil)
Rodrigo Garrido- 2019 (Brazil)
Marcos Loman- 2019 (Brazil)
Gustavo Prestes Gomes- 2018 (Brazil)
Jose Luis Viela Vieira- 2018 (Brazil)
Jose Ernesto Cervantes-Martinez- 2016-2017 (Mexico)
Peng Yan- 2016-2017 (China)
Gabriel Lorenzetti Bigolin- 2016 (Brazil)
Rita de Kassia Siqueira Teixeira- 2016 (Brazil)
Joao Pedro (J.P.) de Paula Souza- 2015 (Brazil)
Ana Luiza Scavone de Camargo- 2015 (Brazil)
Renato Barbosa Camargos- 2015 (Brazil)
Alvaro de Oliveira Santos-2014 (Brazil)
Narjara Fonseca Cantelmo-2014 (Brazil)
Jiying (Anna) Sun- 2013-2014 (China- Inner Mongolia)
Hung Ju Chen- 2013 (Taiwan)
Minzhe Zhang- 2012 (China)
Keila Silva da Cunha- 2012 (Brazil)
Giulio Testa- 2012 (Italy)
Leonardo Fagundes Matioli- 2011 (Brazil)
Paulo Vinicius Magnago Galvao- 2011 (Brazil)
Giovan Ala B. Perez- 2011 (Brazil)
Camila Cramer Filgueiras- 2011-2012 (Brazil)
Bianca Moura- 2009-2012 (Brazil)
Fernando Cantao- 2008-2012 (Brazil)
Guilherme Cabral- 2008 (Brazil)
Mariano Quesada- 2008 (Brazil)
Bola Olaniyan- 2006 (Nigeria)
Mark Harrison- 2002-2010 (England)
Yilmael (‘G’) Diaz- Perez- 2001, 2003 (Puerto Rico)
Martin Uribelarrea- 2001-2010 (Argentina) PhD 2007; MS 2003
Jerome Bergerou- 1997-1999 (France)
Jairo Cazetta- 1997-1999 (Brazil)
Ho Jin Lee- 1997-1998 (South Korea)
Qingyuan Sun – 1995-1997 (China)
Jianxiang Ma- 1995 (China)
Rolf Mian- 1994-1995 (Bangladesh)
Albana Zeko- 1994-1997 (Albania)
Raul Faleiros- 1992-1994 (Brazil)
Louis Mumera- 1987-1990 (Kenya)
Shan Yan- 1986-1996 (China)
Xingting Wang- 1986-1996 (China)
Ivan Ortiz Monasterio- 1985-1986 (Mexico)