Research Project
You will receive mentorship and training in turfgrass agronomy, physiology, and genetics with a focus on improving drought, heat, and salinity tolerance in different turfgrass species and understanding how turfgrass quality attributes contribute to ecosystem services. As part of the turfgrass breeding and agronomy team, you will learn how to plan and conduct growth chamber, greenhouse, and field experiments under the guidance of your mentor.
- Gain hands-on experience in designing and implementing field trials, establishing experimental plantings, applying environmental stress treatments, and collecting and analyzing both visual and proximal-sensing data.
- Learn methods for evaluating adaptation, color, quality traits, and environmental stress tolerance that support the development of improved turfgrass cultivars.
You will also receive training in statistical analysis, interpretation of experimental results, and preparation of scientific findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Throughout the project, you will develop experience working in multidisciplinary agricultural research focused on sustainable turfgrass management and environmental resilience.
Mentor(s)
The mentor for this opportunity is Desalegn Serba (des.serba@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor(s).
Learning Objectives
Through mentorship and applied research training, you will gain experience conducting field, greenhouse, and controlled-environment studies, including experimental design, data collection, data management, and statistical analysis. You will learn how to use and maintain specialized equipment for measuring gas exchange and collecting image-based and spectral data used to evaluate plant performance and stress responses.
You will also develop knowledge of turfgrass management practices and how they influence visual quality, sustainability, and ecosystem services. Additional learning opportunities will include understanding the biological and physiological mechanisms underlying water and nitrogen use efficiency, plant responses to environmental stress, and approaches for screening and improving turfgrass germplasm for resilience under challenging environmental conditions.
Citizenship Requirements
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.
Qualification Requirements
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in the relevant fields.
Contact Information
Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.