2020 Graduates
Dr. Alex Gannon
MS/DPM
Dr. Gannon received his DPM degree in 2020 and is currently the Assistant Farm Manager at Grovin Farms in Alachua County, FL.
“A SORGHUM TRAP CROP TO PREVENT STINK BUGS FROM INFESTNG ORGANIC TOMATOES”
Jessica Awad
MS
Jessica is currently pursuing a PhD at the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart in Germany.
Cleveland Ivey
MS
Cleveland is currently pursing a PhD at the University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) under the direction of Dr. Hugh Smith.
Dr. Morgan Pinkerton
MS/DPM
Dr. Pinkerton was a USDA-NIFA NNF Plant Biosecurity Fellow recipient, and she also received the 2020 Southeastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America Kirby L. Hays Memorial Award for her MS in Entomology thesis work.
http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/seminoleco/author/morgan0402/
Dr. Sage Thompson
MS/DPM
Dr. Thompson received her terminal DPM degree from the UF BRE Laboratory in 2020, but she also received her Master’s of Entomology and Nematology and undergraduate degree in Entomology with a specialization in biosecurity in the lab. As a DPM student Dr. Thompson was a USDA-NIFA NNF Plant Biosecurity Fellow recipient, and she also received the first scholarship recipient for the Dr. George Agrios Memorial Scholarship. Dr. Thompson is currently a USDA-APHIS-PPQ-PHP Risk Manager.
“Establishment Potential and Impact of Bagrada Hilaris in Florida Cole Crops ”
2019 Graduates
Dr. Cory Penca
PhD/DPM
Dr. Cory Penca graduated with his PhD in Entomology and DPM degree during 2019. Dr. Penca currently a biological scientist at USDA-APHIS in Miami, FL.
Dr. Arjun Khadka
MS/DPM
Dr. Arjun Khadka graduated with his DPM degree in 2019. Following graduation, Dr. Khadka decided to pursue a PhD in Entomology at Louisiana State University.
“Host and Relative Humidity : Assessment of Halyomorpha Halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)”
Dr. Ariane McCorquodale
MS/DPM
Dr. McCorquodale is a biological scientist with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. In her current role she is develops new tools for trapping the Giant African Land Snail (Lissachatina fulica), a global agricultural pest.
Dr. Ploy Kurdmongkoltham
Dr. Ploy Kurdmongkoltham graduated with her DPM degree in 2019. Dr. Kurdmongkoltham is currently a Research and Development Plant Pathologist and Microbiologist at Arborjet, Inc. in Woburn, MA.
2018 Graduates
Dr. Blaire Colvin
Dr. Colvin graduated with her DPM degree during 2018. Dr. Colvin currently lives in Birmingham, AL is a Technical Manager for the Southeastern U.S. for the FMC corporation.
“Influence of Canopy Health and Maturity on Peanut Peg Strength, Yield, and Grade)”
Dr. James Betts
Dr. James Betts graduated with his DPM degree in 2018. Dr. James Betts originally continued his work with FMC corporation, but he currently is focused on developing his own farm and business in south Georgia.
Dr. Bruce Stripling
Dr. Bruce Stripling graduated with his DPM degree in 2018. Dr. Bruce Stripling is currently the Horseshoe East Technical Service Manager for FMC Corporation in Adel, GA.
2017 Graduates
Dr. Nicole Casuso
Dr. Nicole Casuso graduated with her DPM degree during 2017, and has worked in education and currently as a Biological Scientist IV Containment Officer at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry in Gainesville, FL.
Dr. Lisbeth Espinoza
Dr. Lisbeth Espinoza graduated with her DPM degree during 2017, and currently serves as a Lecturer at ESPOL (Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral) in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
2015 Graduates
Dr. Eric LeVeen
Dr. LeVeen graduated from the Doctor of Plant Medicine Program in Fall 2015.
2014 Graduates
Dr. Carla Burkle
Dr. Carla Burkle graduated from the DPM program during 2014. Dr. Burkle held several professional positions following graduation, but she is currently living in Pennsylvania and focused on raising her beautiful daughter.
Sarahlynne Guerrero
Following graduation, Sarahlynne Guerrero Nohr has held several positions in industry. Sarahlynne is currently a Senior Grower at Nature’s Way Farms in Miami, FL. Her thesis work was entitled:
Paula Kelly
Paula Kelly graduated from her MS (non-thesis) distance program during 2014. As an Agricultural Specialist with the US Customs and Border Protection, she has been able to utilize her degree for various work responsibilities, including port inspections and educational trainings for other colleagues.
Ashley Poplin
Following graduation, Ashley pursued her dream of becoming a Certified Crime Scene Analyst. More recently, Ashley has become the Co-Founder of Gap Science LLC in Orlando, FL. Her thesis work was entitled: