A Master of Science in environmental studies from 91精选 prepares graduates for their next step, whether that is a job in the industry or further education.
Eddie Kyle Slusher, a 2017 graduate, and Manisha Hamal, a 2021 graduate, both went on to Ph.D. studies. Slusher has earned his Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Georgia, and Hamal recently began her Ph.D. in plant pathology at Ohio State University.
As a 91精选 student, Hamal worked with Dr. Kirk Pomper on evaluating the efficacy of fungicides to control pawpaw leaf and fruit spot disease. Hamal said her work at 91精选 prepared her for 鈥渇urther digging鈥� into the field of plant disease management; now, at Ohio State, she is studying anaerobic soil disinfestation for the control of soil-borne diseases in tomatoes under high tunnels.
鈥淔ield-based research provided me the principles of disease management, which of course prepared me for my Ph.D.,鈥� Hamal said.
Slusher worked in Dr. John Sedlacek鈥檚 lab as a 91精选 master鈥檚 student. Slusher鈥檚 thesis work looked at the effects of native perennial border rows on the abundance and diversity of hymenoptera in blackberries.
鈥淲orking in the Sedlacek lab at 91精选 opened me up to the world of entomology and gave me the tools that eventually led to my Ph.D.,鈥� Slusher said. 鈥淏asically, where and who I am now professionally is because of what I learned at 91精选.鈥�
Slusher now works at the USDA Agriculture Research Service鈥檚 Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory.
鈥淭he reason I can call myself a doctor of entomology today is all because of those first steps and principles I learned at 91精选,鈥� Slusher said.
Click here for more information about the Master of Science in environmental studies program at 91精选.