Punya Nachappa
Associate Professor
Email: [email protected]
Office: C201 Plant Sciences
1177 Campus delivery
Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523
Phone: 970-481-2628
Email: [email protected]
Office: C201 Plant Sciences
1177 Campus delivery
Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523
Phone: 970-481-2628
Research Associates and Post-docs
Dr. Jacob MacWillams
Research Associate III and Lab Manager (2021-current)
Ph.D. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) UC Riverside
Email: [email protected]
Jacob is involved in a number of projects, but his research is focused on the adaptive role of cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites in hemp-insect interaction.
This research is supported by the Institute of Cannabis Research.
Research Associate III and Lab Manager (2021-current)
Ph.D. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) UC Riverside
Email: [email protected]
Jacob is involved in a number of projects, but his research is focused on the adaptive role of cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites in hemp-insect interaction.
This research is supported by the Institute of Cannabis Research.
Adam Osterholzer
Research Associate II (2022-current)
B.S. (Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology) Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Adam is in charge of the wheat entomology program specifically the wheat stem sawfly projects including state-wide survey and screening Colorado elite germplasm and varieties for the Wheat breeding program led by Dr. Esten Mason.
This research is supported by Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and Colorado Wheat Research Foundation.
Research Associate II (2022-current)
B.S. (Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology) Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Adam is in charge of the wheat entomology program specifically the wheat stem sawfly projects including state-wide survey and screening Colorado elite germplasm and varieties for the Wheat breeding program led by Dr. Esten Mason.
This research is supported by Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and Colorado Wheat Research Foundation.
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Ashley Raffa
Research Associate I (2022-current) B.S. (Biology) Colorado State University Email: [email protected] Ashley worked in the lab as an undergraduate student and continued on as a Research Associate after graduation. She oversees the potato entomology program conducting surveys for aphid vectors of potato virus Y along with our industry partner, Agro Engineering located in Alamosa, CO. This is part of an SCRI project, "Enhancing integrated insect pest management strategies for U.S. potato production systems" led by Dr. Zsofia Szendrei at Michigan State University. |
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Dr. Jinlong Han
Post-doctoral Researcher (2022-current)
Ph.D. (Plant Pathology) North Carolina State University
Email: [email protected]
Jinlong's project is focused on understanding molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between beet leafhopper and beet curly top virus. He is also working on a collaborative project in Dr. Vamsi Nalam's lab.
This research is supported by Western Sugar Research Committee and USDA-ARS Sustainable Sugar Beet Research Initiative (SSBRI) program.
Post-doctoral Researcher (2022-current)
Ph.D. (Plant Pathology) North Carolina State University
Email: [email protected]
Jinlong's project is focused on understanding molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between beet leafhopper and beet curly top virus. He is also working on a collaborative project in Dr. Vamsi Nalam's lab.
This research is supported by Western Sugar Research Committee and USDA-ARS Sustainable Sugar Beet Research Initiative (SSBRI) program.
Graduate students
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Henrique Vieira
Ph.D. student (2021-current) M.S. (Entomology) University of Minnesota Email: [email protected] His dissertation research is focused on developing an integrative approach by combining phenology models, biological control and cultural control to combat wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus), the most important pest affecting winter winter in Colorado and the Great Plains. This research is supported by Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. |
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Max Schmitbauer
Ph.D. student (2022-current) B.S. (Agricultural Biology) Colorado State University Email: [email protected] His dissertation research is focused on developing tools and practices that leverages the benefits of organic production to improve sustainable pest management of organically-grown hemp. Specifically, his project is focused on understanding the role of rhizosphere microbiome associated with plant resistance to pests and the impact of organic inputs (resistant cultivars, OMRI-approved insecticides, and natural enemies) in reducing pest populations. This research is supported by NIFA-Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) program. He is also involved in assessing insecticide susceptibility to a range of sugar beet pests. This project is supported by Snake River Sugar Beet Alliance. |
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Venkatesh Padimi
Ph.D. student (2024-current)
M.S. (Entomology) Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, India
Email: [email protected]
His dissertation research aims to develop a sustainable biocontrol method to reduce the impact of wheat stem sawfly and improve wheat crop health and yield. Specifically, his research is focused on characterization and evaluation of novel entomopathogenic fungi, Fusarium spp. efficacy against wheat stem sawfly in winter wheat.
This research is supported by Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and Colorado Wheat Research Foundation.
Ph.D. student (2024-current)
M.S. (Entomology) Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, India
Email: [email protected]
His dissertation research aims to develop a sustainable biocontrol method to reduce the impact of wheat stem sawfly and improve wheat crop health and yield. Specifically, his research is focused on characterization and evaluation of novel entomopathogenic fungi, Fusarium spp. efficacy against wheat stem sawfly in winter wheat.
This research is supported by Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and Colorado Wheat Research Foundation.
Olivia Carter
M.S. student (2023-current)
B.S. (Biology) Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Her Master's research is part of an international, multi-disciplinary research collaboration with Dr. Zamir Punja at Simon Fraser University in BC, Canada, is to develop and apply new knowledge and practices regarding Hop latent viroid (HLVd), an emerging pathogen of hemp and cannabis (marijuana).
This research is supported by NIFA-Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) program.
M.S. student (2023-current)
B.S. (Biology) Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Her Master's research is part of an international, multi-disciplinary research collaboration with Dr. Zamir Punja at Simon Fraser University in BC, Canada, is to develop and apply new knowledge and practices regarding Hop latent viroid (HLVd), an emerging pathogen of hemp and cannabis (marijuana).
This research is supported by NIFA-Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) program.
Maria Paula Meijia Alonzo
M.S. student (2023-current)
B.S. (Agronomic Engineering in Tropical Crops) University of Panama - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Email:[email protected]
Her Master's research is focused on disrupting beet curly top virus (BCTV) transmission by targeting critical genes in its insect vector, beet leafhopper using nanoparticle-mediated RNAi delivery.
This research is supported by USDA-ARS Sustainable Sugar Beet Research Initiative (SSBRI) program.
M.S. student (2023-current)
B.S. (Agronomic Engineering in Tropical Crops) University of Panama - Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
Email:[email protected]
Her Master's research is focused on disrupting beet curly top virus (BCTV) transmission by targeting critical genes in its insect vector, beet leafhopper using nanoparticle-mediated RNAi delivery.
This research is supported by USDA-ARS Sustainable Sugar Beet Research Initiative (SSBRI) program.
Luke Deyle
M.S. student (2023-current)
B.S. (Agricultural Biology) Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
His Master's research is focused on assessing the impact of hop latent viroid (HLVd) on hemp production and explore plant growth regulators (PGRs) to enhance hemp tolerance to the HLVd pathogen.
This research is supported by NIFA-Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) program.
M.S. student (2023-current)
B.S. (Agricultural Biology) Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
His Master's research is focused on assessing the impact of hop latent viroid (HLVd) on hemp production and explore plant growth regulators (PGRs) to enhance hemp tolerance to the HLVd pathogen.
This research is supported by NIFA-Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE) program.
Undergraduate students (a list of undergrads that work in my wheat entomology program are listed here)
Raiyaa Huntress (Fall 2023-current)
Susannah Huston (Summer 2024-current): Honors student
Charles Phi Saltzman (Fall 2024-current): College of Ag Research Fellow
Kendall Berasley (2023-2024)
Johanna Merkel (Summer 2023-Spring 2024): Honors student, 2023 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Max Schmidtbauer (Fall 2021-Fall 2022): 2022 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Victor Mora (Fall 2021-Fall 2022)
Lisa Kairy (Spring 2020-Fall 2022)
Olivia Carter (Fall 2020-Spring 2022): 2022 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Tierra Mathews (Spring 2020-Spring 2022): 2021 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Mira Pusateri (Fall 2020-Fall 2021)
Tyler Yamashita (Spring 2021-Fall 2021)
Sam White (Fall 2019-Fall 2020): 2020 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Emily Villa (Spring 2020-Fall 2020)
Katie Langemeier (Fall 2019-Fall 2020): 2020 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Emilie Carroll (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)
Billy Poon Wing Bill (Fall 2018-Fall 2019)
Susannah Huston (Summer 2024-current): Honors student
Charles Phi Saltzman (Fall 2024-current): College of Ag Research Fellow
Kendall Berasley (2023-2024)
Johanna Merkel (Summer 2023-Spring 2024): Honors student, 2023 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Max Schmidtbauer (Fall 2021-Fall 2022): 2022 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Victor Mora (Fall 2021-Fall 2022)
Lisa Kairy (Spring 2020-Fall 2022)
Olivia Carter (Fall 2020-Spring 2022): 2022 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Tierra Mathews (Spring 2020-Spring 2022): 2021 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Mira Pusateri (Fall 2020-Fall 2021)
Tyler Yamashita (Spring 2021-Fall 2021)
Sam White (Fall 2019-Fall 2020): 2020 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Emily Villa (Spring 2020-Fall 2020)
Katie Langemeier (Fall 2019-Fall 2020): 2020 Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity College Honors
Emilie Carroll (Fall 2019-Spring 2020)
Billy Poon Wing Bill (Fall 2018-Fall 2019)
Alumni
Post-docs and RAS
Erika Peirce (post-doc 2021-2023): Currently Research Scientist at Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Darren Cockrell (RA III 2021-2023): Currently Research Proposal Coordinator, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, CSU
Olivia Carter (2022-2023): Currently M.S. student in the lab
Laura Newhard (RA 2021-2022)
Tessa Albrecht (2018-2021): Currently Director of Plant Health Services, Fort Collins, CO
Priyanka Mittapelly (2018-2019): Currently Plant Growth Facility Lead at University of Alberta
Students
Jacob Pitt (Ph.D. student 2019-2023): Currently post-doc in Tobin Northfield Lab, Washington State University
Laine Hackenberg (M.S. student 2021-2023): Currently Lab Technician in the Northfield Lab, WSU.
Jordan Withycombe (M.S. student 2021-2023): Currently Plant Diagnostician at Clemson University
Mohammad Al-Mousa (M.S. student 2022-2023): Currently Pollinator RA II at CSU
Chris Hayes (M.S. student 2019-2021): Currently Ph.D. student in Wesleyan University
Judith Chiginsky (M.S. student 2019-2021): Currently works at California EPA
Jinlong Han (M.S. student 2014-2016): Currently post-doc in the lab
Chris Culkin (M.S. student 2012-2014): Currently Research Scientist at Agdia Inc.
Stacy Keough (M.S. student 2012-2014): Currently Senior Research Scientist at Zimmer Biomet
Erika Peirce (post-doc 2021-2023): Currently Research Scientist at Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Darren Cockrell (RA III 2021-2023): Currently Research Proposal Coordinator, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, CSU
Olivia Carter (2022-2023): Currently M.S. student in the lab
Laura Newhard (RA 2021-2022)
Tessa Albrecht (2018-2021): Currently Director of Plant Health Services, Fort Collins, CO
Priyanka Mittapelly (2018-2019): Currently Plant Growth Facility Lead at University of Alberta
Students
Jacob Pitt (Ph.D. student 2019-2023): Currently post-doc in Tobin Northfield Lab, Washington State University
Laine Hackenberg (M.S. student 2021-2023): Currently Lab Technician in the Northfield Lab, WSU.
Jordan Withycombe (M.S. student 2021-2023): Currently Plant Diagnostician at Clemson University
Mohammad Al-Mousa (M.S. student 2022-2023): Currently Pollinator RA II at CSU
Chris Hayes (M.S. student 2019-2021): Currently Ph.D. student in Wesleyan University
Judith Chiginsky (M.S. student 2019-2021): Currently works at California EPA
Jinlong Han (M.S. student 2014-2016): Currently post-doc in the lab
Chris Culkin (M.S. student 2012-2014): Currently Research Scientist at Agdia Inc.
Stacy Keough (M.S. student 2012-2014): Currently Senior Research Scientist at Zimmer Biomet
