Seminar Series
Our fall and spring seminar series supports Horticulture's graduate research program. Graduate students fill much of the schedule with research proposals and exit seminars. The Horticulture Seminar Committee and Horticulture Graduate Student Association (HGSA) strive to support professional development with academic and industry guest speakers as well.
UGA faculty, students, staff and their guests are welcome to join each week. Zoom links are provided through the weekly seminar distribution lists via email. For security purposes, zoom information is not provided to non-UGA individuals without a professional or personal connection.
Wednesday, May 15
3:00pm - 3:45pm
Title TBA
Chris Nieters, MS Exit Seminar
Advisor, R. Ferrarezi. Presenting from Athens campus
_____________________________
3:45pm - 4:30pm
Exploring the combined effects of downward airflow/light intensity on calcium tip burn in vertical farm lettuce production & greenhouse applications of perovskite solar cells
Parker Persons, MS Exit Seminar
Advisor, R. Ferrarezi. Presenting from Athens campus
Completed Seminars - Spring 2024
Wednesday, April 24
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Evaluating the impact of mechanical harvesting on the postharvest quality of short-day onions (Allium cepa)
Taiwo Owolanke, PhD Research Proposal Seminar
Advisors, A. Deltsidis. Presenting from Tifton campus
Wednesday, April 17 - Plant Science Graduate Seminar Exchange Program
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Initial Quantification and Categorization of Hemp Root Phenotypes, Paul Cöckson, Ph.D. Candidate. University of Kentucky
Imaging Corn Roots In-Field: How Crop Breeding Has Altered Corn Root Systems, Travis Banet, Ph.D. Candidate. University of Kentucky
Wednesday, April 10
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Enhancing Osmanthus spp. Propagation and Flowering through Horticultural Practices
Yulong Chen, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisors, P. Yu. presenting from Athens campus
_____________________________
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Effect of Biochar on Containerized Ornamental Growth and Physiological Response under Water Deficit Condition
Lilin Chen, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, P. Yu. presenting from Griffin campus
Wednesday, April 3
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Improving Horticultural Traits of Lagerstroemia and Salvia for Landscape Use
Lauren Eberth, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, J. Ruter. presenting from Athens campus
_____________________________________________
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Elucidating the Role of Calcium and Boron in Blueberry Fruit Development
Lilian Carcamo, PhD Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, Z. Rubio Ames. presenting from Tifton campus
Wednesday, March 27
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Postharvest Fruit Quality in Blueberry: Regulation of Water Loss, and Effect of Methyl Jasmonate Applications
Mark Whatley, MS Exit Seminar
Advisor, S. Nambeesan. Presenting from Athens campus
Thursday, March 21
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Back-to-Back Exit Seminars, Advisor: R. Ferrarezi
1:00pm: Maximizing the sustainability of hydroponic fruit and vegetable production through system selections and optimal fertigation, George Hutchinson, MS Exit Seminar
1:45pm: Seedling vigor and germination of indoor lettuce quantified using a simple and automated imaging technique, Mark Iradukunda, MS Exit Seminar
2:30pm: Lettuce biomass estimation and tipburn monitoring using image-based technologies, Jonathan Cardenas. MS Exit Seminar
Presenting from: CAES Plant Growth Facility (ATH), 107 Riverbend Road, Athens, GA 30602. Individuals with parking permits on campus are able to park here for this event under your campus parking permit.
Wednesday, March 20
3:00pm - 4:00pm
UGA Horticulture Graduate Student Exchange Program Competition
Current participants: Suyun Nam, Ranveer Singh, Zachary Hutzell
UGA Horticulture students will give brief seminars to compete for a trip with 2 students selected to present seminars at the University of Auburn. All expenses are covered by the Department.
Hosted by HGSA. Each student competing will present from their home campus location.
Wednesday, March 13
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Molecular physiology of bud dormancy and ripening in fruit crops
Ashley Sorrow, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Co-Advisors, A. Malladi and S. Nambeesan. presenting from Athens campus
_____________________________
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Enhancing peach orchard management practice in Georgia: rootstock-scion water and nutrient dynamics, root characterization, and foliar nutrition
Selvin Carrillo, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, D. Chavez. presenting from Athens campus
Wednesday, March 6
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Development and utilization of KASP markers for Prunus persica (Peach) genetic diversity studies
Caitlin McCann, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, D. Chavez. presenting from Griffin campus
______________________
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Topic: Vegetable production
Elvis Pulici, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, T. McAvoy. presenting from Tifton campus
Wednesday, February 28
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Redesigning fertilization practices for blueberry production in Georgia
Natalia Espinoza, PhD Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, Z. Rubio Ames. presenting from Tifton campus
________________________________________
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Assessing postharvest quality attributes and storability of Blackberry cultivars in Georgia
Ramsey Corn, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, A. Deltsidis. presenting from Tifton campus
Wednesday, February 21 - Guest Speaker
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Topic: Controlled Environment Agriculture and Vegetable Physiology
Dr. Kellie Walters, Associate Professor
Controlled Environment Vegetable Physiology Lab
University of Tennessee
presenting from Athens campus
Hort Faculty Host: Dr. Rhuanito Ferrarezi
Wednesday, February 14
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Molecular genetic approaches to disease resistance in ornamentals
Khuram Tanveer, PhD Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, D. Wilde. presenting from Athens campus
_____________________________
3:30pm - 4:00pm
Development of a blueberry tissue culture system for ploidy induction and genetic transformation
Emily Walter, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, J. Chu. presenting from Tifton campus
Wednesday, February 7
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Optimizing plant density: maximizing marketable yield in Georgia's top vegetable crops
Hayley Milner, MS Research Proposal Seminar
Advisor, T. McAvoy. presenting from Tifton campus
Wednesday, January 31 - Guest Speaker
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Pecan and Muscadine: Breeding and Genetics of Two Native North American Crops
Dr. Patrick Conner, Professor and Tifton REI Coordinator
UGA Department of Horticulture
Research Emphasis: Pecan & muscadine breeding
Departmental Host: Leo Lombardini
presenting from TBD
P. Conner faculty webpage
Wednesday, January 24
An update on the 1st Annual HGSA Retreat
UGA Department of Horticulture
presenting from Athens campus
presenting from Athens campus
Wednesday, January 17 - Guest Speaker
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Topic: Graduate Students Time Management & Writing Practices
Dr. Lindsey Harding, Director of the Writing Intensive Program
UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
presenting from Athens campus
Hort Faculty Host: Dr. Savithri Nambeesan