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HomeMPS programSIPS recognizes December MPS graduates

SIPS recognizes December MPS graduates

Following opening remarks by SIPS assistant director Magdalen Lindeberg, Marvin Pritts, program director for the Graduate Field of Integrated Plant Science recognized five Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) graduates who completed their studies this fall at a Winter Graduation Reception in 404 Plant Sciences December 9.

The Integrative Plant Sciences Graduate Field has grown to 38 students studying in 13 focus areas.

mps program graduates and staff
December Integrative Plant Science graduates and MPS staff at the Winter Graduation Reception December 9. Front row: Matthew Kwok, Deirdre Hickey, Connor Schmitz, and Chelsea Lee. Back row: Soledad Almeida (Director, Program Development and Enrollment, CALS Office of Professional Programs and Extended Learning), Tara Reed (Integrative Plant Science MPS Program Coordinator), Marvin Pritts (Integrative Plant Science MPS Program Director), Erika Fowler-Decatur, Director of Current Programs and Student Services, CALS Office of Professional Programs and Extended Learning). Not pictured: Paul Reum.

The MPS graduates recognized:

 

connor schmitz with CEA tomatorsConnor Schmitz
Focus area: Controlled Environment Agriculture
Advisor: Neil Mattson

After spending time in the field of nature education, Connor realized the roots of many of his environmental concerns stemmed from agriculture.  So, he molded his life-long interest in technology and passion for growing produce into an MPS with a focus area in Controlled Environment Agriculture. His capstone project evaluated effects of water height on lettuce yield.  Connor is relocating to Montana and a job as lead scientist at a new CEA facility focused on the local food systems there.

Connor Schmitz outside greenhouse
Connor Schmitz

 

dierdre hickeyDeirdre Hickey
Focus area: Plant Systems
Advisor: Jeff Perry

Dierdre’s concentration was on educational programming.  As a capstone project, she developed an online plant identification course.  Her plans are to continue with teaching about her love of plants as a visiting lecturer at SUNY Cobleskill.

 

Deirdre Hickey and Jeff Perry reviewing captsone project
Deirdre Hickey reviews her captsone plant identification project with her advisor, Jeff Perry.

 

Chelsea LeeChelsea Lee
Focus area: Controlled Environment Agriculture
Advisor: Neil Mattson

For her capstone project, Chelsea studied the effects of different LED spectrum lighting on green peach aphids – a serious pest of CEA lettuce crops.  After finishing her studies, she is headed for Pittsburgh to work on a vertical farm. She sends special appreciation to her advisor, Neil Mattson, the friends she made at Cornell, and her family for their support.

 

matthew kwokMatthew Kwok
Focus area Geospatial Applications
Advisor: Diana Sinton

Matthew’s capstone project analyzed the interstate highway system’s impact on communities in Birmingham, Alabama, producing a storymap documenting demographic changes there. He says he loved his time here at Cornell, especially the connections he has made. He plans to pursue a career in GIS after graduation.

 

paul reumPaul Reum
Focus area: Hemp Science
Advisors: Neil Mattson, Carlyn Buckler

Paul graduated from Cornell’s Environmental and Sustainability Sciences major before pursuing his MPS in Hemp Science.  He has experience growing high-CBD hemp under Controlled Environment Agriculture systems and is pursuing research or work positions in the CEA cannabis industry.

MPS program

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