Soil-Plant Interactions in the McDaniel Lab
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Marshall McDaniel marsh@iastate.edu | google scholar
Associate Professor in Soil-Plant Interactions | Agronomy Department at Iowa State University
The fearless leader, and mischief maker.
Hobbies: My spare time is spent playing guitar and bass, mtn biking, playing board games (and card games).
Reid Barker rwbarker@iastate.edu
Research Scientist
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Curious about water quality, soil health/conservation, and habitat conservation.
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Hobbies: hunting, fishing, gardening, and cooking.
Professional & Scientific Staff
Tim Youngquist timyoung@iastate.edu
Agricultural Specialist
Curious about water quality, perennial crops, finding space for wildlife habitat within agricultural systems.
Hobbies: native plant propagation, ecological restoration, old house preservation, chickens, time with my family.
Matt Woods mwoods@iastate.edu
Agricultural Specialist
Curious about everything agronomy.
Hobbies: music, sports, and outdoor activities.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Jared Flater jflater@iastate.edu | google scholar | twitter
Postdoctoral Researcher, Ph.D. in Agriculture Biosystems Engineering from ISU in 2020
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Curious about healthy soil microbiomes, belowground systems, improving agriculture through soil biology.
Hobbies: running (esp. long distance), hiking and camping with wife and dog, conservation/naturalism.
Cole Dutter cdutter@iastate.edu | google scholar
Postdoctoral Researcher, Ph.D. in Soil Science and Sustainable Agriculture from ISU 2022
Curious about cropping systems, soil health, farming externalities and sustainable agriculture.
Hobbies: beekeeping, backpacking, cycling, gardening and reading.
Hyeonji Song hyeonjis@iastate.edu | google scholar
Postdoctoral Researcher, Ph.D. in Soil Science
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Curious about soil C & N dynamics in climate change, soil and plant interactions in different cropping systems.
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Hobbies: travelling, playing drum, something historical, listening to music.
Sebastian Villarino sh4@iastate.edu | google scholar
Postdoctoral Researcher, Ph.D. in Agrarian Sciences
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Curious about soil organic matter, soil ecology, and agriculture sustainability.
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Hobbies: camping, hiking, and listening to music.
Mila Victorio Pessotto pessotto@iastate.edu | google scholar | personal website
Ph.D. in Agronomy
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Curious about sustainable production systems, cover crops, soil fertility and soil health.
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Hobbies: reading, barbecuing, and spending time with family and friends.
Graduate Students
Malcolm St Cyr mystcyr@iastate.edu | twitter
M.S. in Soil Science
Curious about soil formation and fertility, and using combination to manage soil-plant interactions.
Hobbies: discovering historical figures/places by reading or traveling, watching movies/documentaries, listening to music, and having conversations.
Ally Larson aclarson@iastate.edu
M.S. in Agronomy
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Curious about cover crops and the relationship between soil health and sustainable agriculture systems.
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Hobbies: reading, spending time with family and friends, and anything outdoors.
Summer Bjorn summ@iastate.edu
M.S. in Soil Science
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Curious about nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and soil ecology.
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Hobbies: playing pickleball and racquetball, weightlifting, volunteering, and playing board games with my husband.
Wyatt Bailey wjbailey@iastate.edu
M.S. in Entomology & Soil Science
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Curious about sustainable cropping systems, integrated pest management, and plant-insect-soil interactions.
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Hobbies: gardening, drawing, cooking, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Modestos Modestou modestou@iastate.edu
Ph. D. in Agronomy
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Curious about intercropping and soil microbes.
Hobbies: hiking, swimming, reading, traveling, and playing Backgammon.
Mary Hendon mbhendon@iastate.edu
M.S. in Soil Science
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Curious about regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices, plant-soil interactions, water quality, plant and soil dynamics, optimizing cropping systems, and tracking nitrogen and carbon cycling in the soil.
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Hobbies: painting and mix media art, being outdoors, and making coffee.
Enzo Biotto ebiotto@iastate.edu
M.S. in Sustainable Agriculture & Soil Science
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Curious about regenerative agriculture, soil fertility, and the interaction between crops, soil, and their environment.
Hobbies: swimming, spending time with friends and family, barbecuing, and outdoor activities.
Keyshell Cole Hodgson ejchksch@iastate.edu
M.S. in Horticulture
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Curious about soil science, crop production, turfgrass management, and promoting sustainable practices.
Hobbies: exercising, crafts, baking, and cooking, enjoying fresh air, watching movies, and traveling.
Undergraduate Students
Marisol Argueta-Hernandez marisol1@iastate.edu
B.S. in Horticulture
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Curious about sustainability and plant and floral recreation.
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Hobbies: crafting, movie nights, and singing.
Grace Wetterling gracew27@iastate.edu
B.S. in Microbiology
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Curious about plant, soil, and microbe interactions, the effects of cover cropping, and the future of our soils.
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Hobbies: baking, cooking, reading, and puzzles.
Anastasiia Hutsal hutsal@iastate.edu
B.S. in Healthcare Management
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Curious about social media marketing, healthcare, and communications.
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Hobbies: training animals, volunteering, and biking.
Alexis Brinkman abrink22@iastate.edu
B.S. in Agronomy
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​Curious about plant and soil interaction, as well as corn and soybean genetics.
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Hobbies: painting, hunting, reading, and hanging out with friends and family.
Emmie Vos emmievos@iastate.edu
B.S. in Environmental Science
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​Curious about soil pedology and mineralogy and how it influences soil nutrients.
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Hobbies: baking, photography, posting on Instagram, and annoying my cats.
Marie Claire Ndefua mcaka@iastate.edu
B.S. in Genetics
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​Curious about soil microbiology, plant genetics, and the importance of different soil microbes in the overall soil health.
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Hobbies: cooking, singing, baking, crocheting, and braiding.
Nathan Imig nmimig@iastate.edu
B.S. in Computer Science
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​Curious about generative AI and data structures.
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Hobbies: running, playing the guitar, hanging out with friends, and playing video games.
Isabell Olsasky im2007@iastate.edu
B.S. in Agronomy
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​Curious about using soil to promote food security and learning about helping smallholder farmers on a global scale.
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Hobbies: running, hiking, and reading.
...this could be you
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