What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I am an Extension Plant Pathologist and Assistant Professor. My goals here are to support Nebraska growers by sharing the principles of plant pathology and how they can incorporate them into the management decision making that they do on their farms. My research also focuses on improving the available management options for Nebraska soybean farmers. I also plan to teach Ecology and Management of Plant Pathogens and I plan to offer a course on pathogens of soybeans.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I was drawn to UNL because of its land grant mission. It is a great place to work in support of Nebraskans. I am also from Nebraska, and it is great to live and work near my family who are from Lincoln. I was drawn to science because it is a good career to provide service to others. My position at UNL lets me serve Nebraska growers, which I find fulfilling.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
The educational setting is a beneficial place to work because of the collaborative environment. I find that the people I work with create a creative environment where we can share ideas and build projects together.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I think my children are my greatest achievement. Parenting is far more difficult than I ever imagined. However, it is also the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. I have two boys, ages 4 and 1. They are growing so fast that it is hard to keep up with them. Fortunately, they have an extremely patient mother who is our rock.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I like to canoe and kayak. I spent a summer during undergrad paddling the Missouri River from Three Forks, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri. It took 81 days on the river. I developed an interest in the river as a trip when I was in the Air Force, stationed in Great Falls, Montana. I often looked at the river and thought it was so interesting that the same water I was watching would also flow near my families’ home in Nebraska. I met a lot of nice people along the way. Overall, it was a peaceful trip with a lot of time to think; mostly about food I wish I had and people I missed. The entire trip was 2,341 miles and I think I probably averaged a shower every 250 miles.
What is your life like outside of work?
We spend our time entertaining our boys and with our family. Fall time is fun in our household. The boy’s grandparents keep bees, so every fall we look forward to spending a day in the barn harvesting honey. We also enjoy pumpkin patches and orchards. We try to spend as much time as possible outdoors. All of us enjoy riding bikes, so we have been riding the trail system here in Lincoln. However, our youngest can’t ride yet so we have a bicycle trailer where he sits and eats snacks while we ride around.