IFAS Large Grant Leadership Award

Two SWES faculty members have been recognized with IFAS Large Grant Leadership Awards for securing substantial funding in support of impactful research and outreach initiatives. The award underscores the critical issues UF/IFAS faculty are studying to support Florida agriculture and protect the state's natural resources. It also acknowledges the time, dedication, and effort required to earn grants of this size and the impact it will have on Florida and beyond.

Davie Kadyampakeni 2019 Water Inst image

Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni, associate professor of citrus water and nutrient management, received a nearly $2 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for his project titled "Sustainable Organic Citrus Production Using Improved Agroecological Management Strategies." The research aims to improve organic citrus production and sustainability through improved soil health, horticultural and pest management practices, and fruit yield.

Lakesh Sharma headshot image

Dr. Lakesh Sharma, assistant professor of soil fertility and sustainable nutrient management, was awarded a little more than $1 million by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. His project, "Outreach and Education in Support of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy’s Best Management Practices Program," focuses on promoting responsible water use and agricultural practices through comprehensive outreach and education efforts.

 

 

 Early-Career
 Research Fellowship

Dr. Marc Hensel has earned a prestigious early-career fellowship from the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program. With a deep connection to Florida’s coasts and a focus on climate resilience, Hensel's research questions focus on the future of these ecosystems and the communities dependent on them.

 

An image of Dr. Marc Hensel outside with a body of water and small island in the background
Dr. Marc Hensel

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Congratulations, Spring 2025 Graduates!

Doctor of Philosophy

Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
(Advisors in parentheses)
Julia Barra Netto Ferreira (Maltais-Landry & C.H. Wilson)
Jay Capasso (Morgan & Bhadha)
Shankar Shrestha (Schumann)

Master of Science

Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
(Advisors in parentheses)
Elaine Beauvais (Strauss)
Connor Blais (Bhadha)
Taylor Burgess (Osborne)
Ashley Colon (Bhadha)
Alexi Dinerstein (Ogram)
Emily Elliott (Smyth)
Deborah Holt (Reynolds)
Jonathan Infinger (Wilson)
Catherine Kaylor (Smyth & Reynolds)
Jessica Marquis (Smyth)
Ellen Oldham (Maltais-Landry)
Megan Phillips (Li)
Savannah Tota (Bhadha)

Interdisciplinary Ecology
(School of Natural Resources & Environment)
(Advisors in parentheses)
Amanda Castaing (Gerber)
Xinlin Wang (Sharma & Lin)

Graduate Minor

Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Naomi Franklin (Babaeian) 

Graduate Certificates

Soil Ecosystem Services
(Advisor: Strauss)
Connor Blais 
Dylan Stout 

Sustainable Land Resource and Nutrient Management
(Advisor: Daroub)
Julian Avila Bernal

Wetland and Water Resource Management
(Advisor: Clark)
Anthony Buchko
Taylor Burgess
Elizabeth Kelly
Kelly Laplante

 

Bachelor of Science

Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
(Advisors: Bonczek & Sisk)
Zaed Christie (Water Science specialization)
Jaclynne Fatone (Water Science specialization)
Amber Lopez (Water Science specialization)
Audrey Plauche (Soil Science specialization)

Soil and Water Sciences
(Advisors: Bonczek & Sisk)
Savannah Wright (Soil Science specialization)

Interdisciplinary Studies: Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources
(Advisors: Enloe & Sisk)
Elizabeth Adikes
Johnathan Ballou
Maggie Brown
Dante Del Rosario
Michael Fox
Jessica Gonzalez
Nicholas Gonzalez
Alexander Heackock
Katya Kasprzak
Thalia Mejia
Judy Nail (DiMarco)
Aralyn Nunez
Jack Purkerson
Gabriella Rutan
Sydney Schalk
Alexis Viti

Undergraduate Minor

Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences
Marley Conha
Savanah Kendrick
Laura Kleckner
Ari Siegel

Soil and Water Sciences
Avah Avonda
Hailee Belcher
Miranda Mays
Rachael Tuck

An image of graduates at a commencement ceremony with one person's mortarboard emblazoned with the letters U F with blue and orange glitter material.

 

  Awards, Honors, and Recognition

We send best wishes to Dr. Maria Silveira, SWES professor of grassland biogeochemistry at the UF/IFAS Range Cattle REC, who is departing for a new opportunity with the Noble Research Institute. Dr. Silveira has conducted her research and extension work at the Ona facility for nearly 19 years. Prior to that, she worked at Texas A&M University, UF, and University of California. A native of Brazil, she earned all three of her degrees at University of Sao Paulo.

In her new role at Noble (based in Ardmore, OK), Dr. Silveira will lead a team of scientists focused on grazing land conservation research. The Institute is the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to farm and ranch management education. One of its goals is to build soil health on U.S. farms and ranches.


Dr. Maria Silveira, UF professor, in a field with her lab team collecting soil samples.


Dr. Maria Silveira, UF professor, speaks to Range Cattle REC field day attendees.

"Leaving UF is certainly bittersweet as I will miss all the friends, colleagues, and the incredibly rewarding experiences I had over the years," Maria said. "However, I'm also excited for the opportunities ahead the potential to make greater contributions in my new role."

During her time with UF/IFAS, Dr. Silveira has advised or co-advised about a dozen graduate students, served as a committee member for three dozen other students, and supervised two dozen postdoctoral research associates and visiting scientists.

She has authored or co-authored nearly 400 publications. Her involvement with the USDA/Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network spans more than a decade and Dr. Silveira was named a Soil Science Society of America Fellow last year. You can reach Maria at: mlas@ufl.edu


 

UF graduate student Noel Manirakiza receives his Gerald O. Mott Award from his advisor, Dr. Jango Bhadha.          UF graduate student Yaslin Gonzalez receives her Gerald O. Mott Award from her advisor, Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry

Noel Manirakiza (left) with advisor, Dr. Jango Bhadha, and Yaslin "Yaz" Gonzalez (right) with advisor, Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry, each received the Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award in Crop Science. The award "recognizes top-notch graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in crop science disciplines." Noel is a student at the UF/IFAS Everglades REC while Yaz is student at the UF Main Campus.


Dr. Ann Wilkie holds her Champion for Change award while standing between two students who help her run the Compost Cooperative and Gardens at the University of Florida.

Dr. Ann Wilkie, SWES research professor of bioenergy and sustainable technology, holds her Champions for Change award from the UF Office of Sustainability. She is the founder of the Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG). The Office of Sustainability recognizes her for transforming waste reduction practices through her innovative outreach program. Starting with one composter in 2009, the program now includes multiple composters, rainwater harvesters, and a regenerative garden, engaging hundreds of visitors annually. Dr. Wilkie’s dedication to education and community collaboration has made composting accessible and fostered a strong sense of teamwork and environmental stewardship. She is pictured with Katya Kasprzak, CCG compost manager, (left) and Ryan Champiny, CCG garden manager.
 

Dr. Monica Wilson (left) and Dr. Laura Reynolds hold their Champions for Change awards from the UF Office of Sustainability for their roles in leading the Operation TRAP initiative.

Dr. Monica Wilson (left) and Dr. Laura Reynolds hold their Champions for Change awards from the UF Office of Sustainability on behalf of the Operation TRAP team. Reynolds is a co-principal investigators on the project that has successfully captured more than 1,200 pounds of trash and nearly 4,000 large items from storm drains in two Gulf Coast communities. Wilson is the project coordinator. This UF, state, and local collaboration uses interception technologies and volunteers to prevent litter from entering aquatic preserves. The data collected informs education and outreach programs, encouraging local governments to adopt similar practices.

Additionally, Operation TRAP won a Silver Award for Promotional and Marketing Materials from the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals and a silver award in that category from the Florida Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals. Along with Reynolds and Wilson, team members from SWES include Morgan Edwards, biological scientist; Hayden Henke, graduate student; and Mike Loizzo, communications specialist. Operation TRAP is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.


Doctoral candidate Adam Searles gives a presentation with a slide show on the screen behind him.

Adam Searles is a recipient of the 2024-2025 Graduate Student Mentoring Award from the UF Graduate School. In recognizing him, the award committee stated, "As a mentor, Adam Searles shares his solid track record of research, professional experience, and educational connections across academic, state, and federal institutions with his mentees. He sees them as active stakeholders in the classroom, lab, and field — and as the next generation of mentors."

An Interdisciplinary Ecology Ph.D. candidate in the School of Natural Resources and Environment, Dr. Laura Reynolds, SWES associate professor, co-advises Adam with Dr. Charlie Martin.

 

A group of University of Florida scientists stand in a line after serving as judges for the State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida.

Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni’s lab members volunteered as judges for the 70th Annual State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida in March. (left to right) Dr. Jonas Pereira de Souza Jr, Tunde “Samuel” Oluwatuyi, Labake Agunbiade, Kondwani Kamsikiri, Dr. Alisheikh Atta, Cyrus Januarie, Noor Ul Basar, Monika Peddapuli, Giuliana Caprotti, Jose Prieto.


Welcome, Summer 2025 Students!

Graduate Students

(Advisors in parentheses)

Namrata Ghimire, Ph.D. student (Golmohammadi)

Aryan Beharry, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)
Joshua Farre, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)
Daichi Furukawa, M.S. student (Mackowiak)
Kate Horne, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)
Grace Kalowsky, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)
Kayla Manson, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)
Madison Platow, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)
Christine Russo, M.S. student (Osborne)
Kyle Stella, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)
Hannah VanBuren, M.S. student (Daroub-temporary)

Undergraduate Students

Interdisciplinary Studies: Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources
(Advisors: Dr. Enloe, Mr. Sisk)

Ethan Hatcher
Kendall Johnson
Maya Khokhlov
Polly Pritz
Finley Spurling


Zero Waste Week

A group of people standing around a compost bin, under a sign that reads

The Compost Cooperative and Gardens (CCG) hosted members of the UF and Gainesville communities as part of the city's Zero Waste Week. The CCG, part of Dr. Ann Wilkie's BioEnergy and Sustainable Technology (BEST) Laboratory, advocates for food waste composting and provides an opportunity for community members to compost their own food waste as part of the cooperative.

See the photo gallery of the event held in March on the SWES Flickr page: flic.kr/s/aHBqjC8qpU

The CCG holds an orientation session on Friday evenings. Learn more here: go.ufl.edu/ccg


New Publication

A Practical Guide to Plastic-Free Oyster Reef Restoration

UF/IFAS Extension faculty from SWES and the Nature Coast Biological Station authored a comprehensive manual to support the construction and monitoring of “reef prisms.” These modular structures, made from environmentally friendly material, aid in oyster reef restoration. The effort is part of the Plastic-free Restoration of Oyster Shorelines (PROS) initiative with funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Sea Grant. The guide highlights the use of jute reinforced with calcium sulfoaluminate cement, an alternative to traditional cement due to its faster curing time, lower carbon footprint, and more neutral pH. The new publication enables communities and volunteers to build effective, sustainable living shorelines without plastic.

Read the full publication here: Guide to Reef Prisms and Panels

an image of oyster reef prisms in the water off the shore of Cedar Key, Florida. The jute-material structures are an environmentally friendly method of building oyster reefs naturally.

Videos

A canal with grass and palm trees on the bank behind it and grass in the foreground.

Artificial Intelligence in Agricultural Water Resources Management

A group of students stand around a professor who is explaining a rainwater harvesting system.

Class Visit to the Experiential Learning Laboratory

Cattle graze in a pasture in front of a small barn with a silo.

Pasture Management: Soil Carbon Sequestration and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

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