Punya Nachappa
Associate Professor
Email: [email protected]
Office: C201 Plant Sciences
1177 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523
Phone: 970-491-2628
Google Scholar
Associate Professor
Email: [email protected]
Office: C201 Plant Sciences
1177 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523
Phone: 970-491-2628
Google Scholar
Research Scientists and Post-docs
Jacob MacWillams
Research Scientist I and Lab Manager (2021-current)
Ph.D. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), UC Riverside
Email: [email protected]
Jacob is involved in several projects, but his research focuses on the adaptive roles of cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites in hemp-insect interactions.
This research is supported by the Institute of Cannabis Research.
Research Scientist I and Lab Manager (2021-current)
Ph.D. (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), UC Riverside
Email: [email protected]
Jacob is involved in several projects, but his research focuses on the adaptive roles of cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites in hemp-insect interactions.
This research is supported by the Institute of Cannabis Research.
Jinlong Han
Research Scientist I (2022-current)
Ph.D. (Plant Pathology), North Carolina State University
Email: [email protected]
Jinlong's project focuses on understanding the 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 the Western Sugar Research Committee and the USDA-ARS Sustainable Sugar Beet Research Initiative (SSBRI) program.
Research Scientist I (2022-current)
Ph.D. (Plant Pathology), North Carolina State University
Email: [email protected]
Jinlong's project focuses on understanding the 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 the Western Sugar Research Committee and the USDA-ARS Sustainable Sugar Beet Research Initiative (SSBRI) program.
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Felipe Barreto da Silva
Research Scientist I (June 2025-current) Ph.D. (Plant Protection), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil Email: [email protected] Felipe's project is focused on understanding genetic diversity in wheat stem sawfly and parasitoid populations and impacts on their compatibility. This research is supported by Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and Colorado Wheat Research Foundation. |
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Mj Riches
Post-doctoral Researcher (August 2025-current)
PhD (Chemistry), Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Mj is a GC-MS expert and will analyze VOCs emitted by wheat and other crop species in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. This research is supported by the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee.
Post-doctoral Researcher (August 2025-current)
PhD (Chemistry), Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Mj is a GC-MS expert and will analyze VOCs emitted by wheat and other crop species in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. This research is supported by the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee.
Adam Osterholzer
Research Associate II (2022-current)
B.S. (Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology), Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Adam leads the wheat entomology program, specifically the wheat stem sawfly projects, including statewide survey and screening of Colorado elite germplasm and varieties for the Wheat breeding program led by Dr. Esten Mason.
This research is supported by the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation.
Research Associate II (2022-current)
B.S. (Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology), Colorado State University
Email: [email protected]
Adam leads the wheat entomology program, specifically the wheat stem sawfly projects, including statewide survey and screening of Colorado elite germplasm and varieties for the Wheat breeding program led by Dr. Esten Mason.
This research is supported by the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and the 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 and conducts surveys for aphid vectors of potato virus Y 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. Ashley is also pursuing an M.S. degree in my lab. |
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Graduate students
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Max Schmitbauer
Ph.D. student (2022-current) B.S. (Agricultural Biology), Colorado State University Email: [email protected] His dissertation research focuses on developing tools and practices that leverage the benefits of organic production to improve sustainable pest management in organically grown hemp. Specifically, his project focuses on understanding the role of the rhizosphere microbiome in 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. |
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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 focuses on the characterization and evaluation of novel entomopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp. efficacy against wheat stem sawfly in winter wheat. This research is supported by the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and the 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 focuses on the characterization and evaluation of novel entomopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp. efficacy against wheat stem sawfly in winter wheat. This research is supported by the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee and the Colorado Wheat Research Foundation.
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Raiyaa Huntress
Ph.D. student (2025-current) B.S. (Agricultural Biology), Colorado State University Email: [email protected] Her dissertation research focuses on developing nanoparticle-mediated dsRNA pesticides to control beet leafhopper and transmission of beet curly top virus. This research is supported by ARS Sustainable Sugar Beet Research Initiative (SSBRI). |
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Undergraduate students (a list of undergrads that work in my wheat entomology program are listed here)
Raiyaa Huntress (Fall 2023-2025)
Claire Bara (Fall 2024-2025)
Susannah Huston (Summer 2024-Spring 2025): Honors student
Charles Phi Saltzman (Fall 2024): 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)
Claire Bara (Fall 2024-2025)
Susannah Huston (Summer 2024-Spring 2025): Honors student
Charles Phi Saltzman (Fall 2024): 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): Research Scientist at Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Darren Cockrell (RA III 2021-2023): Research Proposal Coordinator, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, CSU
Laura Newhard (RA 2021-2022)
Tessa Albrecht (2018-2021): Director of Plant Health Services, Fort Collins, CO
Priyanka Mittapelly (2018-2019): Plant Growth Facility Lead at University of Alberta
Students
Henrique Vieira (Ph.D. student 2022-2025): Bayer U.S. Crop Science
Jacob Pitt (Ph.D. student 2019-2023): Post-doc in Tobin Northfield Lab, Washington State University
Luke Deyle (M.S. student 2022-2024): Consultant, Cannabis industry
Olivia Carter (M.S student Plan B 2022-2024)
John Starineri (M.S student Plan B 2021-2022)
Laine Hackenberg (M.S. student 2021-2023): Lab Technician in the Northfield Lab, WSU.
Jordan Withycombe (M.S. student 2021-2023): Plant Diagnostician at Clemson University
Mohammad Al-Mousa (M.S. student 2022-2023): Pollinator RA II at CSU
Chris Hayes (M.S. student 2019-2021): Ph.D. student at Wesleyan University
Judith Chiginsky (M.S. student 2019-2021): California EPA
Jinlong Han (M.S. student 2014-2016): Post-doc in the lab
Chris Culkin (M.S. student 2012-2014): Research Scientist at Agdia Inc.
Stacy Keough (M.S. student 2012-2014): Senior Research Scientist at Zimmer Biomet
Erika Peirce (post-doc 2021-2023): Research Scientist at Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Darren Cockrell (RA III 2021-2023): Research Proposal Coordinator, School of Global Environmental Sustainability, CSU
Laura Newhard (RA 2021-2022)
Tessa Albrecht (2018-2021): Director of Plant Health Services, Fort Collins, CO
Priyanka Mittapelly (2018-2019): Plant Growth Facility Lead at University of Alberta
Students
Henrique Vieira (Ph.D. student 2022-2025): Bayer U.S. Crop Science
Jacob Pitt (Ph.D. student 2019-2023): Post-doc in Tobin Northfield Lab, Washington State University
Luke Deyle (M.S. student 2022-2024): Consultant, Cannabis industry
Olivia Carter (M.S student Plan B 2022-2024)
John Starineri (M.S student Plan B 2021-2022)
Laine Hackenberg (M.S. student 2021-2023): Lab Technician in the Northfield Lab, WSU.
Jordan Withycombe (M.S. student 2021-2023): Plant Diagnostician at Clemson University
Mohammad Al-Mousa (M.S. student 2022-2023): Pollinator RA II at CSU
Chris Hayes (M.S. student 2019-2021): Ph.D. student at Wesleyan University
Judith Chiginsky (M.S. student 2019-2021): California EPA
Jinlong Han (M.S. student 2014-2016): Post-doc in the lab
Chris Culkin (M.S. student 2012-2014): Research Scientist at Agdia Inc.
Stacy Keough (M.S. student 2012-2014): Senior Research Scientist at Zimmer Biomet
