Undergraduate Students’ Engagement in Hemp Research and Extension Program

The OSU-SOREC Hemp Research and Extension Program welcomes three OSU undergraduate researchers (Melissa Hudek, Adriana Pérez, and Nora Graham) for the 2022 summer season.  The students are working on a variety of hemp- integrated pest management topics. OSU-SOREC Hemp Program is grateful to OSU College of Agricultural Science, Branch Experimental Station (BES) Internship Program for the funding support to hire these students. Following, each of the students describes their experience working with the hemp program.

 

Melissa Hudek

My name is Melissa Hudek, and I am working with Achala Nepal KC on a Hemp Plant Disease Survey in Southern Oregon as part of my Branch Experiment Station internship. I am majoring in biology and minoring in statistics and chemistry at the OSU Corvallis campus, but I am local to the Central Point/Medford area where the station is located. So far, I have learned so much about hemp production and the pathogens that affect the crop at different growth stages. It has been exciting to travel around Southern Oregon and meet so many farmers and see so many different plant conditions. We process the samples in the lab using techniques taught in the classroom. I have also gotten the chance to learn about pathogens on pear trees and grapevines while at the BES station. It has been a wonderful experience so far and I am looking forward to the rest of the summer.

Melissa Hudek, working on plant pathogen samples at SOREC plant pathology lab

Melissa Hudek, working on plant pathogen samples at SOREC plant pathology lab

Melissa Hudek, taking soil samples from a hemp field

Melissa Hudek, taking soil samples from a hemp field

Adriana Pérez

Hello everyone, my name is Adriana Pérez. I am a senior OSU undergraduate student at the Corvallis campus. I’m majoring in Crop and Soil Science with a focus on Plant Breeding and Genetics. My passion is to research and work on integrated pest management challenges, using both molecular and applied practices. In my Branch Experiment Station Internship Program, it has been exciting to work with Govinda Shrestha to learn how to identify insect pests and beneficials on hemp plants; utilize hemp insect pest monitoring techniques (such as yellow sticky traps and pheromone traps), and monitor hemp pollen and pathogens using pathogen spore traps. Besides learning the hemp research activities, I’m excited about an opportunity to visit several hemp farms in Jackson and Josephine counties, interact with hemp growers, and understand hemp production and pest management challenges. Again, thank you BES internship program for providing this opportunity. 

Adriana Pérez, identifying insects on yellow sticky traps collected from hemp fields

Adriana Pérez, identifying insects on yellow sticky traps collected from hemp fields

Adriana Pérez, checking corn earworm moths in a Heliothis Trap

Adriana Pérez, checking corn earworm moths in a Heliothis Trap

Nora Graham

My name is Nora Graham and I’m a horticulture student from OSU. For my horticulture degree, I’m focusing on the ecological management of turf, landscape, and urban horticulture. However, during my summer internship at SOREC with Rick Hilton and Govinda Shrestha, I have the opportunity to assist in entomology research focused on biocontrols in hemp, pears, and vineyards. This has been an exciting internship opportunity for me as I’m learning how plants and insects interact, as well as doing biocontrol research to help growers to manage their pest problems in Southern Oregon.

Nora Graham, initiating the aphid colonies for biocontrol research

Nora Graham, initiating the aphid colonies for biocontrol research 

Nora Graham, transplanting hemp seedlings for hemp production research

Nora Graham, transplanting hemp seedlings for hemp production research