Education

Fall 2016/Fall 2018 Master's Degree at Texas State University

While in graduate school I specialized in hydroponics. I was instrumental in the implementation, management, and eventual expansion of the first hydroponic system in the agriculture department at Texas State University. It was here that I gained invaluable first hand experience truly mastering the basics of hydroponics. It was vital that I understood each component of the system and how they all affected each other. With this understanding I was able to hone in on and develop my problem solving skills when operating on a limited budget. Additionally, I created management plans and implemented daily management practices that became standard procedure. Upon expansion of the hydroponic system, I then began leading the educational outreach component of our operation and lead and train a group of undergraduate students in management and research procedures. As the outreach specialist, I created presentations and demonstrations for students ranging from the K-12 grade level. Furthermore, I became the expert on campus and was often asked to present to various classes inside and outside of the department such as sustainability courses, general horticulture courses, and agronomic crops courses. This resulted in a creation of hydroponic curriculum. With the guidance of one of the top agriculture education professors in the state of Texas, I developed hydroponic curriculum for both the high school and collegiate level. Several of the labs and lectures that were created, have already been implemented and utilized in the department. Meanwhile, I was managing, education, and supporting the undergraduate students in their internship and research experience.

I have extensive experience in research and laboratory settings. I was the graduate assistant for the soils courses, agronomic crop courses, and general horticulture courses. This included laboratory preparation, procedure, management, and execution. Furthermore, as a graduate student I was instrumental in conducting hydroponic research, guiding and supporting the undergraduate students conduct research, and collaborating with engineering students on hydroponic system design.

I dedicated my thesis to research one of the newest innovations in agriculture, hydroponic shipping container farms (HSCF). It was here that I conducted an exploratory study into HSCF in businesses and schools. My thesis, “A Feasibility Study of Hydroponic Shipping Container Farms in Businesses and Schools: Identifying the Influential Factors, Benefits, and Challenges”, has provided insight into an innovate method of agricultural production that can make farming more accessible, sustainable, and productive.

Fall 2013/Spring 2016 Bachelor's of Agriculture Education at Texas State University

As an undergraduate student I took both agricultural and educational courses. Agricultural courses included, agronomic crops, soil, welding, electrical engineering, and agricultural engineering. I additionally, took educational courses and have utilized those skills in creating outreach programs, starting gardens at community centers for kids and teaching children about agriculture, and disseminating information in a comprehensive and engaging manner.

Experience

October 2016/September 2018 Hydroponic Researcher/Manager and Outreach Specialist at Evergreen - Texas State University

While in graduate school I specialized in hydroponics. I was instrumental in the implementation, management, and eventual expansion of the first hydroponic system in the agriculture department at Texas State University. It was here that I gained invaluable first hand experience truly mastering the basics of hydroponics. It was vital that I understood each component of the system and how they all affected each other. I was lead in trouble shooting and correcting any issues we had whether electrical, horticultural, or environmental. With this understanding I was able to hone in on and develop my problem solving skills when operating on a limited budget. Additionally, I created management plans and implemented daily management practices that became standard procedure. Upon expansion of the hydroponic system, I then began leading the educational outreach component of our operation and lead and train a group of undergraduate students in management and research procedures. As the outreach specialist, I created presentations and demonstrations for students ranging from the K-12 grade level. Furthermore, I became the expert on campus and was often asked to present to various classes inside and outside of the department such as sustainability courses, general horticulture courses, and agronomic crops courses. This resulted in a creation of hydroponic curriculum. With the guidance of one of the top agriculture education professors in the state of Texas, I developed hydroponic curriculum for both the high school and collegiate level. Several of the labs and lectures that were created, have already been implemented and utilized in the department. Meanwhile, I was managing, education, and supporting the undergraduate students in their internship and research experience.

I have extensive experience in research and laboratory settings. I was the graduate assistant for the soils courses, agronomic crop courses, and general horticulture courses. This included laboratory preparation, procedure, management, and execution. Furthermore, as a graduate student I was instrumental in conducting hydroponic research, guiding and supporting the undergraduate students conduct research, and collaborating with engineering students on hydroponic system design.

Spring 2017/ Fall 2017 Graduate Assistant at Texas State University

As a graduate assistant I was involved in the creation, preparation, execution, and grading of university level courses. Through this experience I have more command of a laboratory and feel confident in conducting both student labs, where I must monitor and manage students, to conducting research independently. Additionally, I learned how to work closely and assist professors in various aspects of their job.

Summer 2015 Aquaponic Intern at Southern Star Aquaponic Farm

As an intern at Southern Star, I shadowed the head grower and farm manager of the operation. I learned how to schedule and manage practices such as starting seeds, transplanting, and harvesting. Additionally, I learned how to identify issues with your operation and how to fix those issues. Furthermore, I was involved in the building of essential infrastructure, including plumbing, of an aquaponic greenhouse. This was a physically demanding position but I was able to rise to the challenge and do whatever was asked of me in the heat of a Texas summer.