NDSU Plant Sciences Grad Student Association

PSGSA meeting tomorrow!

Everyone is welcome to join us as we discuss a few updates and upcoming activities for the association.

We’ll discuss:
• Banana Ball fundraiser opportunity
• High tunnel project updates
• Soccer activity planning
• Potluck

Thursday, June 18, 2026
11:30 AM
Loftsgard Learning Center (Basement)

Please come with any ideas or suggestions. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!



Plant Sciences
Graduate School

Two hours this Friday can help grow something good

PSGSA is looking for volunteers to help with a high tunnel vegetable project in collaboration with Dr. Hatterman-Valenti’s Lab.

We’ll be decorating a vegetable-themed entrance gate and transplanting tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, cabbage, green onions, cucumbers, watermelons, and more.

No gardening experience needed. Just come ready to help, get your hands dirty, and meet people.

Students who help will also have the chance to come back and harvest fresh produce later in the season.

Everyone is welcome!

For more information, reach out to Delavar at [email protected] or Khan at [email protected].

Have you ever opened R and immediately felt stressed? 😭💻

You’re definitely not alone.

We’re planning the NDSU R Seminar Series for this fall and want ideas from students, faculty, and staff across NDSU.

What topics would actually help you?
What workshops would you attend?
What do you wish someone explained better about data analysis?

Scan the QR code and share your ideas 💚💛

Please share with anyone at NDSU who may be interested!

PSGSA meeting tomorrow

We’ll be talking about possible workshops and other activities the association is planning for students.

Come with ideas, questions, or just stop by to hear what’s coming up.

📅 Thursday, May 21
⏰ 11:30 AM
📍 Loftsgard Learning Center (Basement)

Everyone is welcome!

A crop that could help fuel the future

We are proud to spotlight Marisol Morocho-Lema, a Master’s student in Plant Sciences at NDSU working under the guidance of Dr. Marisol Berti.

Marisol’s research focuses on camelina, a promising oilseed crop with potential for sustainable aviation fuel production. Her work explores improving camelina performance, reducing carbon impact, and identifying lines that can grow under challenging conditions like salty soils.

Her journey already includes peer-reviewed publications, research awards, and induction into Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor Society of Agriculture.

Stories like Marisol’s remind us how much impact graduate students are making through research, innovation, and dedication. Congratulations, Marisol! 🎉👏👏

There was something really special about seeing everyone bring their own creativity to the table

At the PSGSA Tote and Shirt Design Station, plain totes and shirts turned into colorful, personal designs and everyone’s piece came out different.

Such a fun way to wrap up the academic year, especially with finals around the corner.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, created with us, and made it such a good time!

Big congratulations to Hunter Gallagher! 👏

We are excited to spotlight Hunter, a first-year M.S. student in Horticulture and Urban Agriculture in the department of plant sciences at North Dakota State University, who is already making an incredible impact.

Her research focuses on cabbage and onion intercropping as a more sustainable way to help manage cabbage insect pests. By studying natural compounds released from onions, her work could help reduce crop damage, lower insecticide use, and support more sustainable vegetable production.

And she is already being recognized for her hard work:

🏆 1st Place — NDSU Student Research Day 2026
🥈 2nd Place — 41st Plant Science Graduate Student Symposium
🏅 5th Place — North Dakota Academy of Science 2026

We are proud to celebrate Hunter’s hard work, curiosity, and dedication. Her achievements are an encouragement to other students to keep showing up, sharing their research, and taking pride in the work they are doing.

Congratulations, Hunter! We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in your first field season this summer and beyond.

You’re not leaving empty-handed! 👀

Stop by the PSGSA Tote Design Station at the NDSU End of the Year Bash and create your own custom tote bag.

Paint it. Decorate it. Add stickers. Add gems. Make it yours. 🎨

Not into painting or drawing? No problem, we’ll have fun stickers, gems, and easy decorations so everyone can join in.

📍 Nodak Insurance Football Performance Complex
📅 May 3, 2026
⏰ 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Come for the vibes. Leave with your own custom tote. 💚

🎓 Student Spotlight

Meet Md Najmol Hoque, a Ph.D. candidate at North Dakota State University.

His research in wheat science, nutrition, and food quality is making great and meaningful impact.

From publications to scholarships and research awards, Md Najmol’s work reflects the excellence and dedication of graduate students in Plant Sciences.

👏 Join us in celebrating his achievements!