Graduate Students | Agricultural Programs | SIU

Durga’s project involves assessing the performance of Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCoBs) on sediment trapping, legacy phosphorus management and water quality enhancement in southern Illinois.

Durga enjoys reading, listening to music, and spending time with friends. She plans to pursue a profession in soil and watershed management.

Why did you choose SIU?

Priyanka is assessing the impact of community participation in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) program in Nepal.

In her spare time, Priyanka likes to read books, write poetry, go hiking, play table tennis, and spend time with friends and family. After earning her degree at SIU, she intends to work with research institutions or policy organizations to enhance the resilience of forest-dependent communities through sustainable forest management and climate adaptation strategies. She aims to pursue a Ph.D. and contribute to academia, policy-making, and sustainable resource governance.

Why did you choose SIU?

SIU offers a unique combination of research facilities, particularly in the areas of climate change and community-based forest management, and possesses the perfect environment for forestry enthusiasts.

Noah is the fourth graduate student in a long-term research project that researches and identifies cover cropping (legume vs. non-legume) and tillage (no-till vs. reduced-till) systems’ effects on nitrate and dissolved reactive phosphorus leaching, as well as soil chemical properties like phosphorus stratification and organic matter content.

In his free time he enjoys hiking, weightlifting, gabbing about Taylor Swift, and day-dreaming about starting a homestead. Upon completing his Master of Science degree, Noah plans to work with the U.S. Forest Service or U.S. Geologic Survey as a forester or hydrologist.

Why did you choose SIU?

A professor at my community college recommended SIU for their renowned forestry program. SIU’s affordability, proximity to home, and abundant natural beauty were appealing, but it was only after visiting campus and talking with some of the forestry faculty that I knew I made the right decision. I decided to enroll in SIU Forestry’s graduate school because I knew the faculty were kind, fun, ethical, knowledgeable, and eager to help me learn more about hydrology and accomplish my research goals.

Ellie’s research is focused on using LiDAR as a methodology in detecting invasive shrub species within Jackson County, Illinois. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys hiking, thrifting, yoga, and volunteering.

Why did you choose SIU?

I chose SIU because of its close proximity to the Shawnee National Forest, the Forestry Program, and relative closeness to my family.

Jennifer’s research will provide camera trap data before, during, and after raccoon removal to obtain raccoon abundance, changes in occupancy, and assist in determining the efficacy and long-term feasibility of raccoon removal programs. This study will help wildlife management agencies effectively use predator removal methods to aid in the conservation of vulnerable prey species, disease control, and management of human-wildlife conflicts.

Jennifer enjoys hiking, reading, and crocheting in her free time. She plans to obtain a full-time position on the state or federal level working in wildlife management. She is also interested in a career path related to environmental education.

Why did you choose SIU?

I began working at SIU as a field field technician for the Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab and I enjoyed the community and opportunities that SIU provided.

Shauna is a master’s student studying the federally endangered Key Largo woodrat and Key Largo cotton mouse that are endemic to Key Largo, Florida. She will analyze the current distribution and abundance of woodrats and cotton mice to further understand the impacts of invasive Burmese pythons. Additionally, she will deploy remote cameras at woodrat nest structures and use a machine learning program, MegaDetector, to sort through timelapse photos. This will potentially aid in improving reaction time and documentation of Burmese pythons at woodrat nests.

In her free time, Shauna enjoys baking, climbing, and snorkeling. Her future career plans as a wildlife biologist involve conducting impactful research and conservation efforts that preserve and promote biodiversity.

Why did you choose SIU?

I chose SIU for my graduate program because of the research opportunities that aligned with my interests, faculty expertise, and the positive lab environment!

Chi’s project involves evaluating streambank and in-stream erosion as a source of phosphorus and sediment in two agricultural watersheds in Illinois.

In his leisure time, Chi enjoys engaging in activities such as reading, playing soccer, and listening to music. His career aspirations involve pursuing a profession in hydrology and hydrogeology.

Why did you choose SIU?

My decision to enroll at SIU was a result of its renowned academic standing and the exceptional expertise of its forestry faculty members, particularly in the specialized areas of hydrology and watershed management.

Julianna’s research analyzes the effects of fertilizer usage and cover crops within a corn, soy, and winter wheat rotation. Ion exchange resin, pan, and tension lysimeters are used to collect water samples post-rain events, and they are analyzed for nitrate, ammonium, and dissolved reactive phosphorus.

In her free time, she enjoys reading, fishing, hiking, and spending time with friends. After graduating, she hopes to work for the state or federal government in the Water Quality Division.

Why did you choose SIU?

I chose SIU because it gave me the opportunity to expand my knowledge in an environment far from home.

Isaac studies the impacts of solar panels on grassland-dependent wildlife, assessing if a native grassland can be maintained and/or restored on a solar field.

In his free time, Isaac enjoys being outside – birding, running, reading, hiking, and camping.

Why did you choose SIU?

I chose SIU for the large amount of natural areas nearby, and the excellent faculty in the Forestry program.