Graduated alumna
avr28@cornell.edu
Education
B.S. Biology, Vassar College, 2020.
M.S. Soil & Crop Science, Cornell University, 2023
Research Interests
I am interested in the ecological intensification of crop and vegetable systems with the broad goal of climate change mitigation. I am intrigued by how changing temperatures contribute to weed-crop competition and whether nutrient availability within plants varies with rising CO2 levels. I seek to inform my research with current conversations surrounding food justice and strive to take a multidisciplinary approach to my research questions.
Research with the lab
During my time with the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab, I studied weed management in organic, no-till soybean cropping systems. In these systems, winter cereal rye was roller-crimped to create a cover crop mulch which soybean was planted into. I worked to implement a “many little hammers” approach to weed management, using a variety of cultural and mechanical practices to target weeds both spatially and temporally. Weed management practices of interest included the inter-row mower and the Weed Zapper.