Postdoc

Dr. Isha Poudel. 2025-present

Isha Poudel is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the conservation and sustainable Horticulture Lab at Florida international University. She previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Environmental Plant Physiology Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her work focuses on crop physiology and the effects of abiotic stress on plant growth, photosynthesis, nutrient dynamics and soil health. Originally from Nepal, Isha holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, a master’s degree in Horticulture from Tennessee State University, and a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has received multiple awards, including the Tom & Emily Austin Outstanding PhD Graduate Student Award and the University of Tennessee Herbert College of Agriculture Fellowship for Graduate Excellence.

Dr. Bárbara Nogueira Souza Costa: Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops. 2021 – 2023.

Dr. Barbara Costa earned her B.A. in Agronomy in 2013 from the State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Brazil, where she conducted research titled Production and post-harvest quality of ‘PALMER’ mango: effects of paclobutrazol and uniconazole. She received her M.Sc. (2015) and Ph.D. (2019) in Plant Science from the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), developing projects on Silicon in the morphophysiological development of passion fruit seedlings and Banana ‘BRS PLATINA’ under different mulches: yield, post-harvest, and morphophysiological parameters. As part of her doctoral research, Dr. Costa conducted a visiting scholar period (2017–2018) at the University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center, where she studied silicon in the in vitro multiplication of banana plants using bioreactors. From 2019 to 2021, she served as an Assistant Professor in the Agronomy Program at the University Center UNA in Pouso Alegre, Brazil, where she taught Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, Pedology (Genesis, Morphology, and Classification), Phytopathology, Agricultural Entomology, and Climatology. At FIU, Dr. Costa also completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship, focusing on Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops.

Dr. Irton Silva Costa: Plant Tissue Culture in Selected Ornamentals and Fruit Trees. 2022-2023.

Graduate Students

Selvyn Valenzuela (MS): Development of Computer Vision Models for Plant Identification Using Aerial Imagery and Field Data: A Case study on Borassus aethiopum and Sabal Palmetto. 2025 – present

Selvyn Valenzuela is a master’s student in the Conservation and Sustainable Horticulture Lab at Florida International University and a Fellow at the Montgomery Botanical Center. His work as Collections Specialist centers on the development and implementation of GIS-based mapping systems that enhance documentation, management, and research of a living plant collection. His research interests include the development of deep learning models for plant identification, germination and fire ecology studies of Borassus aethiopum, taxonomic studies of Coccothrinax crinita,  pollination ecology studies on Cycas micronesica, among other palm and cycad species.

Kylie Gil (Ph.D.): Microplastic and Nutrient Pathways from Agricultural Systems to Waterways in South Florida. McKnight Doctoral Fellowship awardee. 2025 – present

Kylie Gil is a Ph.D. student in Earth Systems Science and a McKnight Doctoral Fellow. Her research explores the migration of microplastics from agricultural systems into South Florida’s urban waterways, examining their impact on plant and soil health, as well as coastal ecosystems like Biscayne Bay. Her interdisciplinary work integrates ecology, urban sustainability, and environmental policy. 

Sofia Lopez Farina (MS): 2025 – present

Sofia Lopez Farina is a master’s student in Environmental Studies at Florida International University with a strong passion for wildlife conservation and sustainability. Her research experience spans from plant sciences at the USDA Agricultural Research Service to animal behavior studies at Zoo Miami, where she discovered her commitment to protecting at-risk species. She is currently leading a collaborative project between FIU and Zoo Miami focused on the critically endangered Florida bonneted bat. Through acoustic monitoring and land use analysis, her work aims to inform and guide effective conservation planning. Sofia is dedicated to bridging the gap between research and action to ensure the long-term protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Victor Alvarado (Ph.D.): Ecophysiological and Molecular Responses of Bell Pepper and Snap Bean to Heat and Salinity Stress: Enhancing Soil Health and Yield through Cover Cropping, Compost, and Mycorrhizae Inoculation. 2024 – present

Victor Noe Alvarado is a Ph.D. student in Earth Systems Science in FIU’s Department of Earth and Environment. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Florida International University. His research investigates how abiotic stressors, soil–plant interactions, and regenerative agricultural practices shape crop performance and resilience across controlled-environment and field systems. His research integrates plant physiology, sustainable agriculture, and precision agriculture techniques to develop feasible production strategies for vegetable growers.

Daniel Tucker (Ph.D.) – Conservation and Restoration of Sabal miamiensis and Sabal palmetto in the Everglades. 2024 – prese

Daniel A. Tucker is a doctoral student in Earth Systems Science at Florida International University and a Montgomery Botanical Fellow at the Montgomery Botanical Center, where he also serves as Seedbank Coordinator. His research unites field exploration, conservation horticulture, and quantitative systematics, with particular emphasis on rare and threatened palms such as the once-presumed-extinct Sabal miamiensis. Daniel has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications that clarify palm taxonomy and guide conservation practice, while his fieldwork has advanced the documentation and restoration of critical plant populations across Florida and the Caribbean. Dedicated to both scientific rigor and exploratory discovery, he is a member of The Explorers Club and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society. 

Luis Cendan (Ph.D. candidate) – Regenerative Agriculture: Effects of Cover Crop and Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Salt Stress Mitigation in Floridian Tomato Cultivars​. 2023 – present

Luis Cendan is a PhD candidate in the Department of Earth at FIU. As a member of the Conservation and Sustainable Horticulture Lab, his research focuses on the application of regenerative agriculture strategies in the mitigation of salt stress in tomato crops. He also serves as a supervisor in agroecological studies in dwarf coconuts, Plumeria, and Lagerstroemia. In addition to his interests in sustainable agriculture, Cendan has conducted a number of studies on urban forest ecology and carbon sequestration at several Miami-Dade forested sites, including Amelia Earhart Park and St. Thomas University. Prior to his enrollment in the FIU Earth Systems Science program, he earned his Master of Science in Molecular Biology at St. Thomas University.   

Milagros Munoz Salas (Ph.D. candidate): Plant Tissue Culture, Stress Tolerance, and Environmental Adaptations in Selected High-Value Ornamentals Plants. 2022 – present

Milagros Ninoska Munoz Salas is a Ph.D. candidate in Earth Systems Science in FIU’s Department of Earth and Environment. She earned both her Bachelor’s in Sustainability and the Environment and her Master’s in Environmental Studies from Florida International University. Her research bridges plant physiology, environmental sustainability, and controlled-environment systems to optimize plant growth. She investigates how plant tissue culture and environmental manipulation enhance stress tolerance and adaptability in high-value ornamental species. Alongside her research, she teaches undergraduate environmental science laboratories and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives that advance sustainable, climate-resilient horticulture.

Pedro Gonzalez (MS): Assessing the Effects of Saltwater Intrusion and Silicon Amendment on the Ecophysiological Traits of Sabal Palmetto and Trumpet Tree. 2022 – 2024.

His research focused on the impacts of climate change on both native and non-native plant species in South Florida. He examined the effects of saltwater intrusion, driven by sea level rise, on two economically significant species: Sabal palmetto and Tabebuia heterophylla. In addition, he employed optical sensor technologies to investigate best management practices for key Florida plant species. His research aimed to advance sustainable crop development and deepen understanding of the ecological consequences of climate change on natural flora.

Drew Mullin (MS): In-vitro Micropropagation and Acclimatization of Native Endangered Orchids. 2019 – 2021.

Ellen Garcia (MS): Conservation of South Florida Orchid Mycorrhizal Fungi. 2019 – 2021. McKnight Doctoral Fellowship awardee.

David Riera (MS): Graduated 2017. Synthetic Seed Production and Cryopreservation of Endangered Orchids 2016 -2017. FIU Worlds Ahead Graduate. McKnight Doctoral Fellowship awardee.

Conor Wolfe (Ph.D.): Dr. Krish Jayachandran & Dr. Kateel Shetty

Holly Velligan (Ph.D.): Dr. Krish Jayachandran & Dr. Kateel Shetty

Divya Sree Govada (Ph.D.): Dr. Maruthi Sridhar Balaji Bhaskar

Biplov Oli (Ph.D.): Dr. Maruthi Sridhar Balaji Bhaskar

Kevin Arias (MS): Identifying Consumer Preferences for Environmental Improvements in Avocado Production using Ecolabels. Dr. Mahadev Bhat.

Somaiyeh Azmoun (Ph.D.): Impact of occupational manganese exposure on the brain beta-amyloid deposition and biomolecular profiles in the context of genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease risk among ferroalloy workers in Brescia, Italy. Major Advisor: Dr. Roberto G. Lucchini. Graduated 2024.

Ganesh Khadka (Ph.D.): Characterization of endophytic microbiomes for their antimicrobial properties isolated from medicinal plants. Major Advisor: Dr. Krish Jayachandran. Graduated 2022.

Samuel Kent (Ph.D.): Horticultural nurseries-based pollution dynamics and modeling in canals of South Miami Dade, Florida. Major Advisor: Dr. Assefa Melesse. Graduated 2022.

Namrata Pradhan (Ph.D.): Seed viability assessments and long term preservation using cryopreservation in Cymbidium species. Major Advisor: Dr. Uromi Manage Goodale. Graduated 2022.

Leticia Ines Matos (MS): Impacts of legume-grass consortia on soil quality recovery and cattle`s weight gain. Major Advisor: Dr. Krish Jayachandran. Graduated 2022.

Daphne Sugino (MS): Influence of Vermicompost Tea on Secondary Metabolites in Solanum lycopersicum within South Florida. Worlds Ahead Graduates. Major Advisor: Dr. Krish Jayachandran. Graduated 2019.

Claudia Garcia (MS): Inoculating rhizobium and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Phaseolus vulgaris under salinity stress to evaluate effects on plant growth and glomalin production. Major Advisor: Dr. Krish Jayachandran. Graduated 2021.

Edward Marques (Ph.D.). Major Advisor: Dr. Eric von Wettberg. Graduated 2022.

Undergraduate (BS/BA) Students with Research

Katelyn Smith, 2025- present

Jasmine Pelia, 2025- present

Angelina Ibarra, 2023-2024, Sustainable Fertilizer Management and Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology on Fiji Coconut. USDA ARS Subtropical Horticultural Research Station (SHRS).

Sofia Lopez Farina, 2023-2024, 1. Urban Tree Biomass. FIU Nature Preserve, 2. USDA and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden projects. Precision Fertilizer Management of Queen’s Flower, Lagerstroemia Speciosa. SHRS.

Aniela Cabrera, 2023-2024, Effects of Light and Fertilizer on Plumeria hybrids Growth and Blooming. SHRS.

Natalie Valdes, 2023, Organic Nutrient Management Regime on Hydroponic Production of Selected Vegetables. C&S Lab.

Alexis Quiroz, Organic Nutrient Management Regime on Hydroponic Production of Selected Vegetables. C&S Lab.

Jasmine Maria, 2023, USDA and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden projects.

Sajida Malik, 2023, Effects of Saltwater Intrusion on South Florida Plants.

Victor Alvarado, 2023, USDA and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden projects.

Anthony Rodriguez, 2023, Landscape Irrigation. UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department.

Sophia Martinez, 2023, Study the Environmental Factor on Growth of ornamentals. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Nayla Alcocer-Martos (BA): Assessment of Environmental Sustainability Metrics of Restaurants in South Florida.  2022. Spring 2022 cohort of Hamilton Scholars. FIU helps lead White House climate forum.

Ciarelle Domenica Velarde Vasquez & Laura Lavinder, 2022, Study the Effects of Different Compost Concentrations on Growth of Selected Vegetables. FIU Organic Garden.

Selvyn Valenzuela, 2022, Controlled Environment Agriculture: Optimizing the Growing Conditions on Germination of Selected Food Crops. Hubb Agriculture. Redland Ahead.

Kylie Gil, 2022, Climate Adaptation Strategies to Minimize the Drought Effects on some common Landscaping Plants in South Florida.

Milagros Munoz Salas, 2022, Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops. Conservation & Sustainable Horticulture Lab.

Nicole Gautney, 2022, Urban Sustainability Projects. Sustainability Department, City of Coral Gables.

Maria Del Mar Trejos, 2022, Sustainability Projects Task Force.

Lauren Diaz, 2022, Adoption Program at the Nature Preserve Pollinator Garden. Office of University Sustainability.

Amir Sabir, 2022, Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops. Conservation & Sustainable Horticulture Lab.

Regina Gonzalez, 2021, Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops. Conservation & Sustainable Horticulture Lab.

Daniel Tucker, 2021, Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops. Conservation & Sustainable Horticulture Lab.

Alejandra Carrillo, 2021, Composting and Seed Germination. Zoo Miami and Nitrogen Management and Plant Quality Monitoring Using Optical Sensor Technology in Native and Non-Native Specialty Crops. Conservation & Sustainable Horticulture Lab.

Marcos Garcia, 2020, Effects of Light Intensity and Quality on Most Common Indoor Plants in Vertical Gardening. Miami Vertical Garden Inc.

Jason Flores, 2020, Climate Change Adaptation and Saltwater Intrusion Ecophysiological Effects on Phoenix canariensis, Sabal minor, Roystonea regia, Thrinax radiata, Pseudophoenix sargentii in South Florida. Montgomery Botanical Center

Austin Montgomery, 2020, Eucalyptus Production: The Effects of Reducing Overgrowth. Zoo Miami.

Kevin Lewin, 2019, Ethnomedicinal properties of mountain soursop (Annona montana). Fruit and Spice Park & Possum Trot Farm.

Sarah Belfer, 2019, Screening Media for Native Floridian and Puerto Rican Fern Spore Germination. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Montgomery Botanical Center.

Douglas DeStefano, 2019, Application of Organic Amendments in Tissue ​Culture of South Floridian Endangered Orchids. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Alondra Cruz, 2018, Adaptation and Conservation in Myrmecophila spp. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.

Shelby Weber, 2019, Orchid Seed Technology and Viability. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Rena Stern, 2018, Biologic Control of Invasive Air Potato

Azariel Mendez, 2017, Pre and Post Hurricane Irma Growth Monitoring of 15 Fruit trees in the Food Forest at FIU Organic Garden.

Gabriel Barraza, 2016, Handheld Sensors Application for Fertilizer Management in Landscaping Ornamental Justifia Brandegeana.

Alana Rodriguez, 2016, Application of Optical Sensor Technology for Sustainable Fertilizer Management of Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Ariana Font, 2015, Anti Bacterial Properties of the Annona montana. Possum Trot Farm.
Emmanuel Duarte, 2015, Panax Ginseng Extracts as a Novel Antibiotic. Fruit & Spice Park.