OSU Plant Sciences Symposium

Speaker: Ally Collins

Ally Collins is an M.S. student in the Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology Department. She received her B.S. from Denison University, where she developed a strong foundation in ecology, evolutionary biology, and field-based research studying local adaptation in common milkweed populations. Ally’s research interests center on plant–insect interactions, local adaptation, and the ecological consequences of environmental disturbance.
Her current research examines tritrophic interactions among soil microorganisms, plants, and insect herbivores, with a particular focus on how these relationships are shaped by land reclamation history. Her work aims to understand how the legacy effects of disturbed soils influence plant defense strategies and herbivore performance. This research contributes to broader questions about ecosystem recovery, resilience, and the role of belowground communities in shaping aboveground ecological interactions.
Ally is especially interested in how applied ecological research can inform restoration and land management practices. Following completion of her master’s degree, she plans to pursue further research in plant ecology and evolutionary biology, with an emphasis on linking basic ecological theory to real-world conservation challenges.

FED 13. 8:30AM

Location :📍Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210


FED 13. 8:30AM

Location :📍Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210

Speaker: Taylor VanLandingham

Tyler is a turfgrass researcher and educator who brings real-world golf course experience into both his research and the classroom. His current work focuses on using thermal imaging to audit irrigation systems, analyzing canopy temperature patterns to identify areas that are over- or under-watered. His goal is to help superintendents save water, improve uniformity, and make more confident management decisions.

Alongside his research, Tyler teaches in the turf program at Ohio State ATI, where he enjoys helping the next generation of turf managers build the skills they’ll need in the field. His teaching style blends practical experience with emerging technology, giving students tools they can immediately apply in their careers.

FED 13. 8:30AM

Location :📍Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210

Speaker: Fiona Todd

Fiona Todd is a first year Ph.D. fellow at The Ohio State University in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, co-advised by Professors Leah McHale and Kristin Mercer. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota last spring. Her current research focuses on identifying morphological and physiological adaptation to drought in wild and cultivated pepper, and the underlying genetic basis for these adaptations.

FED 13. 8:30AM

Location :📍Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210

Speaker: Khwannarin Khemsom

Khwannarin Khemsom is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Plant Pathology at CFAES Wooster and a Presidential Fellow. She earned her undergraduate degree in Genetics and a Master’s in Biotechnology. She previously worked as an electron microscopy research associate at Ohio State before pursuing her PhD. Her research focuses on understanding viral replication and evolution to develop strategies for managing plant viral diseases under the guidance of Professor Feng Qu. Khwannarin also served as the current president of the Plant Pathology Graduate Students Association and a member of the Graduate Student Advisory Council at CFAES. She was recently selected as the recipient of the 2025-2026 William E. Krauss Director’s Award for Outstanding Publication by a Graduate Student.

FED 13. 8:30AM

Location :📍Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210

Speaker: Lilian Ebeling-Koning

Lillian Ebeling-Koning is a second year Master’s student in Dr. Jonathan Jacob’s Emerging Infectious Disease Ecology Lab at The Ohio State University. Her research focuses on discerning the drivers of bacterial population diversity in agricultural systems by studying populations of Bacteria Leaf Streak causing, Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens. In her free time, she enjoys painting, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

FED 13. 8:30AM

Location :📍Nationwide and Ohio State Farm Bureau 4-H Center
2201 Fred Taylor Dr.
Columbus, OH 43210

Excited to introduce our Student speakers for the Plant Sciences Symposium 2026.✨👏

And here is our advisor! Dr. Tracy Hawk researches the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that drive adaptation with plants and pathogens. She also loves spending time outside with her dog! 🐶 🦠

Here is our other social media committee member, Darrian Rollison! His favorite plant is Monstera deliciousa var. sierranna ‘Hawaiian’ and his favorite pest is the Spongy Moth! 🌱🦋

Here is Catherine Mwanjisi from our social media committee! Her favorite plant is the cucumber and her favorite pathogen is Pseudoperonospora cubensis! 🥒🥀

Now we have our invited speakers, and workshop committee member, Panda Vincent! Their favorite plant is the red spider lily and their favorite pathogen is the chestnut blight. 🌹🌰

This time we have a member from our workshop committee, Dillon Skinn! His favorite plants are the spruce tree and the sunflower. Favorite pathogen is wheat rust! 🌲🌾