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.

Lauren’s research seeks to understand how forest management impacts the abundance of Eastern Whip-poor-will and Chick-will’s-widow here in southern Illinois.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, hiking, and taking care of her plant collection. After graduation, Lauren plans to work as a wildlife biologist.

Why did you choose SIU?

I chose SIU because I was interested in the research and enjoy the ample hiking opportunities near Carbondale.

Lucy is a master’s student studying wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in Illinois. Her research uses bioacoustics to examine gobbling chronology, the seasonal timing of male vocalizations, to align the spring turkey hunting season with breeding activity and provide recommendations for wild turkey management and conservation.

In her free time, Lucy enjoys birding, baking bread, and watching movies. She plants to pursue a career with a state wildlife agency or continue doing research in a Ph.D. program.

Why did you choose SIU?

I chose SIU because the research project aligned with my interest in bioacoustics and conservation.

Abigail’s research evaluates how concentrated flow path management affects soil redistribution and properties, nutrient loss, and corn-soybean yield in Southern Illinois’ agricultural landscapes by integrating yield and soil data, runoff sampling, and regression modeling to assess the field-scale economic and environmental impacts of best management practices.

In her free time, Abby enjoys hiking, reading, live music, and spending time with family and friends. In the future, she hopes to connect agriculturalists with conservation practices that enhance the longevity of their operation, with sustainable management in mind.

Why did you choose SIU?

I chose SIU for my undergraduate degree after an on-campus meeting with forestry faculty. The environment was very welcoming, friendly, and not too far from home! I decided to stay for my master’s degree after having an engaging undergraduate experience and meeting faculty that supported my research goals.

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.