Postdoctoral Associates, Students & Staff

Dr. Dinesh Phuyal standing outside in a winter coat as snow lightly falls.

Dinesh Phuyal (he/him) - Post-Doctoral Associate

Email: phuyaldinesh@ufl.edu | Google Scholar

Dinesh earned his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 2016. After receiving his degree, Dinesh worked as an Agriculture Instructor at Galkot Higher Secondary School, where he taught courses of entomology and vegetable production. In 2020, he completed his M.S. in Horticultural Science from the University of Florida, focusing on advanced horticultural practices to manage citrus greening disease. In 2025, Dinesh earned his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Texas A&M University. His research focused on Biological Nitrification Inhibition in sorghum-based systems, examining how sorghum root exudates suppress nitrification across different soil types. As a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Florida, he now works on soil nutrient management, primarily phosphorus, to enhance soil health and reduce nutrient losses in agricultural systems. Dinesh aims to pursue a long-term career in research, advancing sustainable agricultural development.

A headshot of John Ballou, lab technician in the Environmental Soil Chemistry Lab at UF.

John Ballou (he/him) - Laboratory Technician

Email: j.ballou@ufl.edu

John earned his B.S. Degrees in Environmental Management and Marine Science from the University of Florida in 2025. During his undergraduate studies he worked with the Sustainable Nutrient Management Systems Laboratory and gained a wealth of experience in chemical analyses of nutrients in agricultural soils. His research as an undergraduate focused on the effects of soil texture amendments on organic agricultural soils in Florida. He joined the lab in 2025 to begin working on the phosphorus BMP project and to perform extractions and analyses as a member of the lab. John hopes to one day research the connection between agriculture-related nutrient pollution in coastal or inland waters in Florida.

Aaron D. Portmess (he/him) - Laboratory Technician

Email: portmessa@ufl.edu

Aaron earned his B.S. in Environmental Science from Florida State University in 2024, where he focused the chemical properties and hydrogeologic characteristics of northern Florida's karst systems. He joined the lab in the fall of 2024 as an OPS, assisting with laboratory analysis aimed at optimizing soil test procedures to enhance crop yields while minimizing environmental risks from phosphorus runoff. In addition to conducting detailed lab analyses, Aaron helps maintain general lab procedures, including cleanup, organization, and ensuring the lab runs efficiently. His contributions support the refinement of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for phosphorus management, helping to prevent nutrient pollution and protect water bodies. Aaron's goal is to make meaningful contributions to improving soil health and nutrient management, aiming to balance agronomic productivity with environmental sustainability.

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