Virginia Moore
Principal Investigator
vm377@cornell.edu
Ginny started as a faculty member at Cornell in February 2021. She first fell in love with agriculture in 2006 when she worked at an urban farm in Philadelphia and has been gardening, farming, and researching plants ever since. While not in the office, field, or lab, she prefers to be on a bike, in a canoe, on a hike, sharing food with friends, or hanging out with her cat, chickens, and/or husband.
Julie Hansen
Senior Research Associate
jlh17@cornell.edu
Julie started working in agricultural research at Cornell University in 1989, after completing graduate work on the Forage Breeding Project under the direction of Don Viands. She is currently a Senior Research Associate with the Moore Lab, working on forage yield trials and other forage/ cover crop grant projects. Working in agriculture teaches you many things that you may not learn with a “desk” job such as use your sunscreen, prepare for the weather, have a backup plan, be flexible, observe, and persevere. As Mr. Ed would say, if research was easy everyone would do it. Julie enjoys spending time with family and is a loyal fan of the Cornell Polo (i.e. Horse Hockey) Team.
Jamie Crawford
Research Support Specialist
jln15@cornell.edu
Solveig Hanson
Research Support Specialist
sh2458@cornell.edu
Solveig joined the Moore Lab in January 2023, and she coordinates research and outreach for the nationwide Cover Crop Breeding Network. Solveig received her Ph.D. in Plant Breeding Plant Genetics from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020, where she conducted genetic research and participatory breeding focused on flavor in table beet. In a subsequent postdoctoral fellowship at the University of British Columbia, she coordinated a nationwide farmer variety trialing network and led a participatory carrot breeding project. When not in plant breeding mode, Solveig loves to be outside – hiking, swimming, paddling, biking, or amateur-style birding – or inside baking, writing, or providing a lap for her cat.
Ryan Crawford
Technician
rvc3@cornell.edu
Ryan has worked as a technician in the Moore Lab since its inception in 2021. Before that, he worked for Professor’s Moore’s predecessor, Emeritus Professor Donald Viands, from 2009 – 2021. He performs a variety of tasks at the field, lab, and computer. In his off hours, Ryan can be found spending time with his family and thinking about fishing.
Jesse Chavez
Technician
jic55@cornell.edu
Jesse has worked as a technician with the project since Spring 2018. During the spring/summer, he spends most of his time working in the fields either on a tractor or harvester. The rest of the year, he’s in the greenhouse growing and pollinating alfalfa. Jesse is also in charge of routine maintenance and repairs on vehicles and field equipment. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, swimming and paddle boarding during hot summer days, and skiing in the winter.
Emily Fratz
Communications Assistant
ef389@cornell.edu
Emily has worked in the Moore Lab since January 2022. Her work in the lab primarily focuses on outreach and engagement with farmers and other stakeholders for the Alfalfa-Intermediate Wheatgrass (IWG) and Organic Hemp projects. Emily graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Sustainable Development. When not working, they can be found spending time with their family and growing herd of animals, camping, rock climbing or playing board games.
Raksha Thapa
PhD Student (Plant Breeding and Genetics)
rkt25@cornell.edu
Raksha (RKT) is a graduate student in the Plant Breeding and Genetics section. She received her BS in Agriculture from Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal, and MS in Plant Sciences from the University of Wyoming. With a strong interest to learn different plant phenotyping, breeding, and molecular skills, Raksha has been rotating in different labs during her first year. Starting fall 2022, she will be working in Dr. Moore’s lab where her work will be focused on developing high biomass yielding and cold hardy cover crop varieties. In her free time, Raksha loves hiking, kayaking, cooking, and skiing.
Leah Treffer
PhD Student (Plant Breeding and Genetics)
lkt38@cornell.edu
Leah joined the Moore Lab in the summer of 2023 as a Plant Breeding and Genetics graduate student. She graduated in 2021 with a BS degree in biology and minor in chemistry from Nebraska Wesleyan University and spent two years at The Land Institute before joining the lab. Leah plans to work on the Alfalfa–Intermediate Wheatgrass project. Leah grew up with cattle and horses, which are still of interest to her, and enjoys running, watching movies with friends, and being outdoors.
Megan Williams
MS Student (Soil & Crop Science)
mlw322@cornell.edu
Megan joined the Moore Lab in 2022 to pursue her master’s in Soil and Crop Science. Her primary focus is on the Alfalfa–Intermediate Wheatgrass project. Megan graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 with degrees in Environmental Science and Global Studies of Environments and Sustainability. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, horseback riding, knitting and crocheting, and tending to her collection of houseplants.
Erika Everest
MS Student (Soil & Crop Science)
emf239@cornell.edu
Erika joined the Moore lab in the summer of 2022 to pursue a masters degree in Soil and Crop Sciences. For her research, she is collaborating on an interdisciplinary project designed to produce new cultivars of dry beans that grow well in organic and no-till cropping systems in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States. Erika graduated from Wheaton College in 2022 with a degree in Biology and a certificate in Human Needs and Global Resources. When not in the lab, she can be found enjoying the outdoors, working on art projects, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Maia Payne
MS Environmental Sciences, Thomas Wyatt Turner Fellow, 2022-23
mmp249@cornell.edu.
Maia is a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Geospatial Sciences at Tennessee State University. Her many research interests include climate change, environmental justice, food security, and geospatial analyses for risk assessment and mitigation. Maia enjoys having a multidisciplinary approach to her research endeavors. She is currently working on a trans-boundary research project which focuses on the use of black-eyed peas for food and nutritional security while utilizing geospatial techniques.