Current Projects 

Deconstructing Plasticity in Perennial Plants: Genomic and Epigenomic Architecture of Scion and Rootstock Traits in Grafted Grapevines 

This project explores how grafted grapevines adapt to their environment by uncovering the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that drive growth, stress responses, and fruit composition. By integrating genomics, epigenomics, physiology, and metabolomics across multiple scion–rootstock combinations, the work identifies how each partner contributes to vine performance and long-term plasticity.

The project is a multi-institution collaboration involving South Dakota State University, Cornell University, Saint Louis University, Missouri State University, and Penn State University, combining field experiments, multi-year datasets, and advanced analytical tools to advance sustainable and resilient grape production.

Past Projects 

Food Resilience in the Face of Catastrophic Global Events

This project focuses on strengthening the stability of food systems under extreme global disruptions. By identifying vulnerabilities and developing strategies to bolster agricultural resilience, supply-chain security, and community preparedness, the work aims to ensure dependable access to food during large-scale crises. Supported by Open Philanthropy, Penn State researchers collaborate across disciplines to advance long-term sustainability and global food security. 

Nutritional Composition of Post-Catastrophic Foods

Zinc biofortification through seed nutri-priming using alternative zinc sources and concentration levels in pea and sunflower microgreens 

Zinc biofortification via fertigation using alternative zinc sources and concentration levels in pea, radish, and sunflower microgreens

Optimizing Nutrition in Pea and Radish Microgreens: Effects of Light Intensity and Zn-fertigation on Zinc Bioaccessibility, Minerals, Yield, and Phytochemical Compounds

Sustainability of the soilless crop production

Organic Waste Compost and Spent Mushroom Compost as Potential Growing Media Components for the Sustainable Production of Microgreens 

Resource Efficiency, Yield, and Quality of Amaranth Grown as a Summer Leaf-crop in Alternative Soilless Systems

Evaluation of Alternative Soilless Growing Systems for Resource Use Efficiency, Yield and Quality Performance of Multi-leaf Lettuce

Cold Plasma as a Sustainable Technology to Enhance Vegetable Production and Quality 

Non-thermal Atmospheric Plasma for the Inactivation of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata on Beet (Beta vulgaris) Infected Seeds and Its Impact on the Seed Bacterial Microbiome  

Collaborative Evaluation Of Saffron (Crocus Sativa L.) As A High Value Culinary And Medicinal Niche Crop

Evaluation of the effect of planting depth and Bacillus subtilis treatment on saffron (Crocus sativus L.) production in the green roof production system 

Preliminary assessment of the saffron production in different growing systems in Kentucky, USA

Examination of two environmental risks associated with urban agriculture: nutrient runoff and soil contamination

Runoff Water Quality from Different Urban Agricultural Systems Using Common Nutrient Management Practices

The Effects of Annual Compost Addition to Agricultural Green Roofs on Runoff Water Quality

Yields of relay-cropped greens grown in green roof production systems