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Julie Dawson
Associate Professor
Department of Horticulture
393 Moore Hall
1575 Linden Drive
email: dawson [at] hort.wisc.edu
PhD Crop Science, 2008. Washington State University
Bachelor of Science, Plant Science, 2003. Cornell University |
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Rue Genger
Scientist II
Department of Horticulture
321 Moore Hall
1575 Linden Drive
email: rkgenger [at] wisc.edu
PhD Plant Sciences, Australian National University
Bachelor of Science Plant Breeding, University of Queensland
Rue’s research interests include collaborative plant breeding for organic
systems, seed systems for potatoes and other vegetatively propagated crops,
and reduced tillage methods for climate resilient organic vegetable production. |
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Thomas Hickey
Research Specialist
Department of Horticulture
321 Moore Hall
1575 Linden Drive
email: tphickey [at] wisc.edu
MS Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Thomas is a long-time vegetable variety trial researcher now turned data
manager. He can be spotted in community gardens and research stations
recording observations or formatting data. |
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Jenn Cava
Research Specialist
MSc Biology, University of New England
BSc Biology, UW-Stevens Point
email: jacava [at] wisc.edu
Jenn is currently working on tomato and pepper breeding for organic systems. |
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Keith Williams
Outreach Specialist
PhD Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University
BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Michigan-Flint
email: krwilliams25 [at] wisc.edu
Keith works on developing new flavor-driven grain cultivars and agricultural
products with a focus on exploration of complex phenotypes such as flavor
or visual appeal. |
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Steffen Mirsky
Outreach Specialist
BS Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Washington
email: swmirsky [at] wisc.edu
Steffen is working to help establish 10 emerging crops in Wisconsin
through education, outreach, research and supply chain development
with the goal of diversifying the agricultural landscape, improving
environmental outcomes and greater economic prosperity. |
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Scott Brainard
Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
email: shbrainard [at] wisc.edu
Scott is developing tools that leverage next-generation sequence data to
improve the efficiency of selection in hazelnut. |
Graduate Students
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Laura Livingston
PhD Student
Environment and Resources
Co-Advised with Randy Stoecker
MS Agroecology 2018
email: jessee [at] wisc.edu
Laura is studying community-engaged research in food systems during
COVID-19. She also participates in Gompers Grows, a horticulture education
program started by Dawson Lab alumnus Brian Emerson, which includes
participatory evaluation, field trips and community engagement. |
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Ambar Carvallo Lopez
PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
email: carvallolope [at] wisc.edu
Ambar is interested in supporting organic farming systems by developing
varieties that are especially adapted for those conditions. She is currently
working on tomato breeding for organic systems. |
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Pablo Sandro
PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
co-advised with Lucia Gutierrez
email: sandrogarcia [at] wisc.edu
Pablo works on developing high-quality value-added hard red winter wheat
varieties adapted to the Midwestern United States with a high level of
involvement by wheat chain actors. He also uses historical oat databases
combined with genomic tools to predict and characterize environments,
resilience, stability and performance in oat lines in Wisconsin and across
the Midwest. |
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Sarah DeGraff
Masters Student
Horticulture
email: sarah.degraff [at] wisc.edu
Sarah’s research involves growing and evaluating several crops in on-farm
organic vegetables variety plots in Northern Wisconsin as compared to those
grown on university research stations. |
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Meg Baker
Masters Student
Agroecology
co-advised with Claudia Irene Calderon
email: mdbaker3 [at] wisc.edu
Meg is studying medicinal plants, Indigenous ways of knowing and food
sovereignty in the Ch’orti’ community in eastern Guatemala to help preserve
and expand traditional plant knowledge in the area. Investigating the
intersection of native and climate resilient plants of the area using
participatory action research, the goal is to develop a medicinal plant
guide with community members of Jocotán, Guatemala.
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Kayla Sherman
Masters Student
Agroecology
email: kmsherman [at] wisc.edu
Kayla recently entered the farming world and is interested in applying
agroecological concepts to a family farm. She will be creating educational
resources for the Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program. |
Affiliated Graduate Students
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Micaela Colley
PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
Wageningen University
Co-Advised with Edith Lammerts van Bueren and James Myers
email: micaela [at] seedalliance.org
Michaela is doing her thesis on participatory methods for organic plant breeding. |
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Vincent Brazelton
PhD Student
Plant and Microbial Biosciences
Washington University in St. Louis
Co-Advised with Allison Miller
email: brazelton.antonio [at] gmail.com
Vincent’s current research interests are at the nexus of plant breeding,
urban agriculture and food equity. His goal is to explore targeted breeding
strategies that prioritize food sovereignty, environmental sustainability
and improved genetic diversity for urban farmers and the communities
they serve. |
Crew
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- Brent Johnson
- Brianna Stumpner
- Cassie Radl
- Justine Zeman
- Madeline Zwergel
- Malachi Persche
- Marissa Nix
- Maya Giordano
- Miles Giehtbrock
- Rachel Yard
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Graduate Student Alumni
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Anneliese Abbott
Masters Student
Nelson Institute
email: amabbott [at] wisc.edu |
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Dylan Bruce
Masters Student
Agroecology
email: dbruce [at] wisc.edu |
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Jenyne Schaefer Loarca
PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
Co-Advised with Phil Simon
email: jenyne.schaefer.loarca [at] wisc.edu |
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Ambar Carvallo Lopez
Masters Student
Agroecology
email: carvallolope [at] wisc.edu |
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Keo Corak
PhD Student
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics
MS Agroecology 2018
email: corak [at] wisc.edu |
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Juan Astroza
Masters Student
Horticulture
email: astroza [at] wisc.edu |
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Patrick Merscher
MS Agroecology 2020 |
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Kevin Coe
PhD Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics 2020
Co-Advised with Phil Simon
Currently a postdoctoral researcher at NCSU with Dr. Massimo Iorizzo |
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Karen Hill
MS Agroecology 2020 |
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Rachel Schindler
MS Agroecology 2020 |
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Thomas Hickey
MS Horticulture 2019
Currently Research Specialist,
UW-Madison |
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Terry Hodge
MS Horticulture 2018
Currently Conservatory and Orchid Horticulturist,
Olbrich Botanic Gardens |
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Laura Livingston
MS Agroecology 2018
Currently PhD Student, Environment and Resources,
Nelson Institute, UW Madison |
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Alex Steussy-Williams
MS Agroecology 2018
Currently Giving Garden Facilitator,
Bayview Foundation, Madison, WI |
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Kitt Healy
MS Horticulture and Agroecology 2016
Currently Midwest Research and Education Associate
Organic Seed Alliance
Outreach Specialist,
Seed to Kitchen Collaborative,
UW Madison |
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Terri Theisen
MS Horticulture 2016
Currently Horticulture Extension Educator
Purdue University Extension |
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Natalie Cotter
Masters, May 2016
Urban and Regional Planning
(Advisor Ken Genskow)
Currently Agriculture Enterprise Area Program Manager
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection |
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Staff Alumni
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Brian Emerson
Research Specialist
Currently at Rooted |
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Claire Luby
Faculty Associate
PhD Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics 2016
University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Crew Alumni
Year indicates when the individual left the lab.
2022: Brenna Haakinson, Calliana Wickus, Shea Tillotson, Tressa Peskar
2021:Gabby Whisler, Kase Wheatley, Marcela Gonzalez Barrios, Sofia Weinstein, Taylr Johnson
2020: Daniella Echeverria, Chris Keeve, Karen Hill, Raeann Rich, Sam Cline, Sam Kruse, Zak Buell
2019: Halle Kunzke-Anderson, Hannah Kruse, Hannah Ryba, Ilhulpachakatl Neubauer, Mariah Rogers, Maryatt Karstensen, Michael O’Connell, Nyah Banik, Samantha Vosters, Thi Le, Ty Lee
2018: Erin Schneider, Matt Kronschnabel, Mengsha Gong, Naio Koehler, Nathaniel Slack, Shelbi Jentz
2017: Niki Lacktorin, Noah Bevers, Olivia Steinmetz, Peter Jakus, Tim Allen
2016: Gregory Snyder, Jamie Lovely, Lucas Holiday, Mariana Debernardini, Molly Kreykes, Sara Vega, Sarah Lee
2015: Bradley Mellinger, Laura Jacobson
2014: Maya Reese