Undergraduate summer research interns learn from field- and lab-based opportunities and can share their research and impacts with state Plant Inspectors and landscape/turf management professionals at outreach events.
Graduate Students (Masters)
Tammy Stackhouse (2018-2019)
Masters Degree
Current Position: PhD Student (Plant Pathology), The University of Georgia
Research Focus: Tammy’s research focused on optimizing host plant tissue sampling and molecular detection of DNA from Geosmithia morbida (plant pathogen) and Pityophthorus juglandis (walnut twig beetle).
Drew Jeffers (2006-2008)
Masters Degree
Current Position: Extension Agent & PhD Student, Clemson University
Research Focus: Drew’s research focused on valuation of different quality characteristics in bare rooted nursery tree liners as perceived by consumers. His economic analysis yielded a worksheet calculator for determining costs incurred by nursery growers to achieve quality nursery liner production.
Wes Powell (2003-2005)
Masters Degree
Current Position: Assistant Superintendent of Grounds, Austin Peay State University
Research Focus: Wes’ research focused on the potential for plant-associated Beauveria bassiana to yield mycosis in insects (Helicoverpa zea) feeding on Bb seed-treated tomato plants. Endophytic Beauveria bassiana was recovered from roots, stems, shoots, and leaves of 10-wk old tomato plants.
Chris Vaughn (2002-2005)
Masters Degree
Current Position: Owner, Mr. GreenThumb, Johnson City, TN
Research Focus: Chris studied methods of trapping and monitoring clearwing borer moths (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) and documenting in east Tennessee the seasonal phenology of adult flight activity for species that infest ornamental trees and shrubs.
Deborah Ketchersid (2001-2003)
Masters Degree
Research Focus: Debbie studied the biology and behavior of flightless whitefringed beetles that as larvae, can damage young tree liners (particularly of flowering dogwood and other tree and shrub species) in nursery production.
Graduate Students (PhD)
Jason Hansen (2006-2010)
Doctoral Degree
(Co-advised by Dr. Kevin Moulton, UT-EPP Department)
Current Position: USDA-ARS-PPQ, Entomologist Identifier, Los Indios, TX
Research Focus: Jason’s research projects involved trapping and molecular systematics of members of the Chrysobothris femorata species group (flatheaded borers) and also for clearwing moth species (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) that infest nursery stock and landscape host plant specimens.
Research Associate II
Phil Flanagan (1995-2015), retired
Phil was Research Associate II at UT in the OHLD and Plant Sciences Departments for 20 years. He supported several faculty and numerous student research projects. Phil contributed a broad set of horticultural career experiences and skills from his early work at Forest Nursery (McMinnville, TN), Walt Disneyworld (Orlando, FL), Tennessee State University (McMinnville, TN), and others.
Education:
M.S. (1991) Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. Thesis title: “Root regeneration of chemically root-pruned woody ornamentals”. Dr. Will Witte, Advisor
B.S. (1976) Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Undergraduate Students
Gaige Lariscy, Spring-Summer 2022
Colin Brice & Bobbi Long present their research poster at the 2017 OUR Undergraduate Research Showcase
Tammy Stackhouse (2018-2019)
Drew Jeffers (2006-2008)
Chris Vaughn (2002-2005)
Deborah Ketchersid (2001-2003)
Jason Hansen (2006-2010)
Phil Flanagan (1995-2015), retired
