Research

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Research Scholar, NCAT (5/2017- present)

- Write peer-reviewed papers for SOC, total nitrogen, crop yield and biomass simulation under conservation agriculture (CA) and conservation tillage management and climate change impacts, using the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model.

Improve Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model simulation for vegetable production with organic inputs.

Research Scholar, relocated to Texas AgriLife Blackland Research & Extension Center (BREC) (1-6/2016)

- Calibrated and validated the EPIC model on soil organic carbon, crop yield, and biomass.

- Developed new crop parameters for EPIC: cassava, sesame, banana, stylosanthes, and congo grass.

- Learned Fortran source code of the EPIC model.

Research Assistant, Biological Engineering Department (BioE) (10/2010 - 6/2016)

- Funded from USDA NIFA (SPECA, 1890 Capacity Building Grant, NCSU, and Evans-Allen).

- Simulated crop yield, surface runoff, and water quality using the APEX model.

- Integrated CA, tilled, no-tilled, and drip irrigation to study the provision of fresh, chemical-free foods in urban landscapes through the application of urban-kitchen garden “oasissofa” study at NCAT, and 9 local schools.

- Conducted plot experiments to study the effects of CA, and drip irrigation with and without high tunnel, and agroforestry.

- Tested chemical, physical and biological soil properties and water quality.

- Collaborated and assisted BioE and early STEM students to develop floating island proposal.

- Processed travel and payroll paperwork, recruited students working in Natuculture systems.

- Assisted project director in developing, writing, and submitting grant proposals.

- Managed web content for Natuculture systems.

Can Tho University

Project secretary and technician, Can Tho University (9/2007-12/2009)

- Developed 3 m scale landuse map, GPS surveying and mapping, and water quality sampling

- Completed participatory rural appraisal (PRA) on impact assessment, adaptation capacity and vulnerability to climate change for Challenge to Change project.