My current research works with an interdisciplinary team in Horticultural and Crop Science, Environmental and Natural Resources, Food Science and Technology, and OSU extension on the development of pawpaw orchard management, wild stand management, quality of fruit in relation to cultural practices, best practices for processing of fruit into pulp and the pawpaw industry development on the whole. The pawpaw fruit is the largest native fruit to Ohio with a tropical taste that makes it unique in the fruit market. Our research endeavors to help move the growing pawpaw industry forward and assist in identifying problems and solve them before they hinder that growth.
Why OSU?
I am currently enrolled in the Environmental Science Graduate Program (ESGP) with my advisor Dr. Joseph Scheerens in HCS. ESGP is an interdisciplinary degree which promotes holistic understanding of issues. I was drawn to this degree and advisor due to pawpaw progress and promotion being my main focus of the PhD program.
