Planning Committee for the 2026 Plant Sciences Symposium
Chase Krug
Symposium Co-Chair | Lab: Kevin Smith - Barley, Oat & Silphium Lab | Favorite Crop: Whole-leaf Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)
I am a third year PhD student working to improve seedling vigor within Silphium integrifolium through a recurrent selection experiment, and conducting genomewide association studies on the Silphium Domestication Panel for agronomically important traits. Hobbies I enjoy include gardening, reading, and sneaker collecting.
Derek Hunsaker
Symposium Co-Chair | Favorite Crop: Banana
I am a third year PhD student in the Plant and Microbial Biology program. My research has focused on using gene editing to study the role of microRNAs in soybean and increase soybean tolerance to stress factors. My general research interests include crop improvement, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture. Outside of research, I like to play board games, read, and spend time with friends.
Reecha Acharya
Lab: Kevin Smith - Barley, Oat and Silphium Lab | Favorite Crop: Mango
I am a second year PhD student working in disease resistance against Fusarium head blight (FHB) and indirect selection through proxy traits for winter survival in barley. This is my second year serving on the Plant Science Symposium series. Besides work, I love cooking, crocheting and listening to music.
Maybell Banting
Lab: Jennifer Kimball Lab | Favorite Crop: Rice and its favorite cousin, northern wild rice!
I am a 4th year PhD student, and my research focuses on improving genomic resources for Northern Wild Rice and investigating its whole genome duplication history to better understand the genetic basis of key agronomic traits such as seed shattering. I am also the Co-Curricular Programming Associate for the Council of Graduate Students. Outside of studies, I love taking photos, traveling with my family, and playing puzzle games to unwind.
Sydney Berry
Lab: Candy Hirsch Lab | Favorite Crop: Maize
I am a first year M.S. student working on developing co-expression networks for maize under various stresses. I am generally interested in bioinformatics and its applications in plants. I am also a member of the Community Plant Breeding Team which works in collaboration with local communities to adapt African vegetables to Minnesota. Outside of work, I can normally be found reading, playing guitar, and hanging out with my cat!
Sarah Gall
Lab: Axel Garcia y Garcia | Favorite Crop: Hybrid rye
I’m a first year MS Student in the Applied Plant Science program. I am working on a project concerning the diversification of corn-soybean rotations using cover crops in Minnesota, focusing on winter rye, winter camelina, and red clover. I am an active member of the APS Grad Club and Agroecology Club.
Allen Gelfond
Lab: Candy Hirsch Lab | Favorite Crop: American Pawpaw
I am a first year PhD student working on the intersection of plant breeding and bioinformatics. My research currently focuses on understanding the genetic determinants of nitrogen levels in corn grain using a selection experiment. I also enjoy a range of outdoor activities from skiing, backpacking, and gardening.
Kayla Grennes
Lab: Kevin Smith - Barley, Oat, and Silphium | Favorite Crop: Pepper and Beet
I'm a second year PhD student researching disease resistance and agronomic traits in naked barley, with focus in organic systems and multi-purpose end uses. I’m also a member of the Community Plant Breeding Team, where we aim to adapt culturally-relevant vegetables to the Minnesota climate. When not working I'm usually reading a good book, hopefully surrounded by plants, and have an oat milk latte in hand.
Alejandra Quinones
Lab: Cory D. Hirsch - Stress Biology Lab | Favorite Crop: Tomato
I am a fourth year PhD student working in multi-omics of abiotic stress biology in maize. My research focuses on understanding the effects of individual and combined stresses such as drought, heat, and nutrient deficiencies at multiple biological levels, including morphological, elemental, and gene expression-related. Outside of work I enjoy weightlifting, dancing, and playing videogames.
Evan Smith
Lab: Robert Stupar Lab | Favorite Crop: Canola
I’m a first year M.S. student working on a large-scale soybean EMS mutagenesis project. My research interests include gene editing, genetic markers, and adapting crops for greater resilience to abiotic stressors. That last part is what got me interested in the Community Plant Breeding Team at the University of Minnesota, which I joined this fall. Outside of work I enjoy kayaking, disc golf, and biking.
Andre Tischler
Public Relations Subcommittee | Lab: Aaron Lorenz Lab | Favorite Crop: Tomato
I am a first year PhD student researching genomic prediction in soybeans across Minnesota’s northern, central, and southern growing zones. In addition to my research, I manage the inventory of our breeding program and am a member of the Community Plant Breeding Team. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, running, and spending time with friends having a barbecue.
Lara Waldt
Lab: Gary Muehlbauer Lab & Aaron Lorenz Lab | Favorite Crop: Okra
I am a second year M.S. student investigating the underpinnings of soybean shoot architecture and its impact on various yield components. I am especially interested in branching and node traits. Combining my interest in international agriculture and addressing local communities, I am an avid member of the Community Plant Breeding Team. When I’m not outside hiking or biking, you can find me curled up with my cat and a book.