Myakka gives a special identity to the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences.
It is the Seminole word for “big waters” and the name of Florida’s state soil: Florida's State Soil - Myakka Fine Sand.
2181 McCarty Hall A, PO Box 110290 | Gainesville, FL 32611-0290 | (352) 294-3151
Greetings, from the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences.
One of the more enjoyable aspects of my job is the opportunity to connect with our students. They come from many diverse backgrounds, and each had a unique experience before joining SWES. No matter their research or end goal, or whether they are an undergraduate or graduate student, they all want to make the world a better place for each of us.
Aside from seeing them around campus or at one of our SWES social gatherings, I offer to have a one-on-one exit interview with them to hear how they viewed their program. This comes after they have completed a survey just prior to graduating. I am happy to say the vast majority of our students have a favorable opinion of SWES courses, our faculty, research opportunities, and how prepared they are to begin a career. Here are some data from the student exit survey:
Matt Whiles
Professor and Chair
I believe the coursework challenged me intellectually.
►94% Agree or Strongly Agree
I believe my program prepared me well for my future career or educational plans.
►92% Agree or Strongly Agree
I would recommend my program to others.
►95% Agree or Strongly Agree
The high level of satisfaction with SWES is testament to the hard work of our faculty and staff. Each plays an important role individually, and we work together to ensure our students are the number one priority. This issue of Myakka has more evidence of the success of our department from student experiences and our current research to our extension and engagement activities.
As always, we love to hear from our alumni and friends. Reach out to us anytime and you can contact me at mwhiles@ufl.edu.
The Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) has a new scholarship aimed at helping graduate students. The Woodruff Family Scholarship supports one $500 merit-based scholarship (or two at $250). Eligible students must have a GPA of 3.5 or better and be enrolled in the 2nd year of the master's program in SWES. Additionally, the student's focus must be on ecosystem-scale research.
"We are grateful for the Woodruff family's gift to SWES," said Dr. Matt Whiles, chair and professor. "This further highlights the department's additional emphasis on ecosystem sciences and the important services those provide to the overall environment."
Helga Woodruff made the donation due to her love of nature and being outdoors. She wants to help students who have a goal of protecting the environment, according to the UF/IFAS Advancement Office. Her husband, William, was a UF professor of history and an author. He passed away in 2008.
The Woodruff's scholarship is the 8th named fund SWES has to help graduate and undergraduate students. Gifts to support the department are tax-deductible and enhance teaching, research, and extension programs or provide more opportunities for students. You can learn more about supporting SWES here: Giving
Once a year, researchers from across the university give undergraduate students the opportunity to see up-close the research they have underway and how students can take part. The Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES) had two labs offer tours in late-March.
Dr. Ann Wilkie, a SWES research professor of bioenergy and sustainable technology, hosted students at the Experiential Learning Laboratory (ELL). It is also the site of the Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG). Wilkie has mentored many students through the UF Center for Undergraduate Research, which coordinated the tour of her lab.
“The ELL offers opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in experiential learning through individual research projects and internships in the lab,” Wilkie explained. “Students, as well as community members, can bring food scraps to turn into compost at the CCG.”
Students on the tour talked with Wilkie about research she conducts with algae, her on-site biodigestor, and energy crops. (Pictured below) They also experienced the transformation of food solids and other organic material into compost used in the nearby garden plots.
Soil health research was the focus of several tours of Dr. Yang Lin’s laboratory. Lab tech Bella Brush, graduate student Swarnali Mahmood, and undergraduate research assistant Me'Keila Lightfoot welcomed a group of students with a diverse set of majors on one afternoon. (Pictured below) They talked about the many components of soil systems (mineral particles, water, air, and organisms) that are constantly interacting with one another.
“I hope the students have a greater appreciation of the complexity of soils and their importance to all life on Earth,” said Lin, who is an assistant professor of soil health in SWES.
You can learn more about the SWES research we conduct here: soils.ifas.ufl.edu/research
Master of Science: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
(Advisors in parentheses)
Jill Allen (Dr. Wright), Natalie Carter (Dr. Osborne), Katherine Collins (Dr. Strauss), Kristen Deason (Dr. Deitch), Bridgette Hattle (Dr. Lin), Catalina McEachern (Dr. Osborne), Kayleen Meinen (Dr. Fujimoto), Holly Parnell (Dr. Liao), Landon Reigelman (Dr. Smidt), Alexandra Rieman (Dr. Lusk), Devon Rutledge (Dr. Kadyampakeni), John “Jack” Upchurch (Dr. Morgan)
Bachelor of Science: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
(Advisors: Dr. Bonczek & Mr. Sisk)
Ayla Freeman, water science specialization; Eric Lewis, soil science specialization; J.P. Prescott, soil science specialization; Annabel Schreiber, water science specialization
Bachelor of Science: Interdisciplinary Studies-Environmental Management in Agriculture & Natural Resources
(Advisors: Dr. Enloe & Mr. Sisk)
Patricia Cruz, Ruddy Ditch, Tiffany Duke, Elizabeth Fitch, Lauren Geiss, Sacha Glynn, Rebecca Mangum, Henry Hoersting, Facundo Barco Papasidero, Maria Reyes, Diana Rodriguez, Jessica Salter, Benjamin Shealey, Angelica Sandulescu, Rebekah Warrick
Graduate Minor: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Micah Dettweiler, John Powers
Undergraduate Minor: Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Duane Hardy, Ava Meena, Autumn Reeves
Undergraduate Minor: Soil and Water Sciences
Maximus Chou, Jennifer DuBose, Hayden Henke, Rita Hippe, Nicholas Steffen, Ashley Toso
Biodegradation and Bioremediation
(Advisor: Dr. Ogram)
Brian Nicolson
Fertilizer Science and Technology
(Advisor: Dr. Morgan)
Jay Capasso
Paul Rygiel
Wetland and Water Resource Management
(Advisor: Dr. Clark)
Mollie Enck
Letuzia De Oliveira
Deborah Holt
Jillian Kimmel
Zoe Spielman
(Advisors in parentheses)
Saba Shaghaghi Khajehdehi, Ph.D. student (Dr. Golmohammadi)
Carleigh Epperson, M.S. student (Dr. Daroub)
John Hussain, M.S. student (Dr. Reynolds)
Katie Young, M.S. student (Dr. Daroub)
Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
(Advisors: Dr. Bonczek, Mr. Sisk)
Serena Brown (Water Science specialization)
Interdisciplinary Studies: Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources
(Advisors: Dr. Enloe, Mr. Sisk)
Sienna Ahlers
Kristen Arthur
Jordan Bolado
Gabrielle Bradley
Cassidy Dalton
Cheyenne Sikes
The Graduate Student Association won the Outstanding "Community Connection" Event award from UF Student Activities and Involvement. The GSA also was a finalist for the Excellence in Member Engagement award. During the 2023-24 academic year, the GSA held numerous events, including an educational/recreational paddle trip down the Suwannee River, a professional development day, and lab tours for Montverde Academy students.
Ph.D. student Yasmeen Saleem and M.S. student Duplicate Sambani are recipients of the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Travel Award to attend the SSSA summer conference in Puerto Rico. Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni advises both students.
Cyrus Januarie won 3rd Place in the M.S. research poster competition at the Citrus REC Research Symposium. Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni advises Cyrus on his M.S. research.
Monika Peddapuli received a travel grant from the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) to attend the 2024 ASHS Conference in Hawaii later this year. Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni advises Monika on her Ph.D. research.
(Above Left) Jose Prieto received the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association $2,500 academic scholarship. Paul Fabry, President of Plant Food Systems, (right) presented the award. Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni advised Jose on his M.S. research.
(Above Center) Justina Odogwu received a Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame $1,000 Scholarship. Dr. Mary Lusk (left) is advising Justina on her Ph.D. research.
(Above Right) Sukhdeep Singh won 3rd Place in the Graduate Student Poster Competition for his research, “Assessment of Smart Fertilizer Technologies to Enhance Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Corn in Florida," at the Southern ASA Annual Meeting. Dr. Lakesh Sharma advises Sukhdeep on his M.S. research.
(Above Left) Vanesa Rostan won 1st Place in the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Español competition for her research on decreasing pesticide contamination in ornamental plants. The UF SACNAS Chapter hosted the event. The photo of Vanesa with Alejandro Ruden and William Ortola Leonard is courtesy of Dr. Mariela Pajuelo, UF SACNAS faculty advisor. Dr. P. Chris Wilson advises Vanesa on her Ph.D. research.
(Above Center) Ravinder Singh won 3rd Place in the Graduate Student Poster Competition for his research, “To Evaluate the Impact of Biostimulant at Variable Phosphorous Rates in Potato Production,” at the Southern ASA Annual Meeting. Dr. Lakesh Sharma advises Ravinder on his Ph.D. research.
(Above Right) Julia Barra Netto-Ferreira received the Gerald O. Mott Award for Meritorious Graduate Students in Crop Science from the Crop Science Society of America. Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry co-advises Julia with Dr. Chris Wilson in the Agronomy Department.
