The 2023 CAFES Spring Student Research Symposium was held on May 19 at the JUSTIN and J. JOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture. Undergraduate and graduate students had the opportunity to present their research and chat with others about their projects. The winners below were selected from more than 40 participants.

Undergraduate

1^st – Morgan Lunn and Shaina Duhra, advised by Professor Mohammed Abo-Ismail, “Genome-wide Association Analyses Revealed Potential Molecular Mechanisms Affecting Milk Fever in Dairy Cattle.”

2^nd – Iris Bookholtz, Fiona O’Neill and Juliana Romano-Silverstein, advised by Department Head Jeremy James, “Abiotic and Biotic Constraints on Blue Oak Woodland Restoration in the Sierra Foothills.”

3^rd – Shane Egerstrom and Lily Elola, advised by Professor Charlotte Decock, “Nitrogen Mineralization as Affected by Temperature and Organic Fertilizers.”

Grad

1^st – Mary Steele, advised by Professor Shashika Hewavitharana, “Effect of Wheat Cover Crop on Macrophomina Root Rot and Rhizosphere Microbiome in Strawberry.”

2^nd – Leanna Sanchez, advised by Professor Mohammed Abo-Ismail, “Molecular Mechanisms Impacting the Onset of Post-Partum Uterine Disease in Dairy Cattle.”

3^rd – Marco Fernandez, advised by Professor Shunping Ding, “Efficacy of Biofungicides and Their Application Timing in Managing Botrytis Bunch Root of Wine Grape.”