Dr. Kim’s is a recently minted doctorate from Kangwon National University in South Korea with his expertise on Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) yield prediction and water stress. At DART, Jiyung diligently assesses factors using machine learning models, particularly those related to water, that impact alfalfa yield in Southern Great Plains . With expertise in constructing alfalfa yield predictions using statistical models, Jiyung has conducted extensive research on various production and management variables, including cultivar selection, harvest methods, and fertilizer application. As a dedicated researcher, Jiyung Kim contributes valuable insights to the realm of precision agriculture and its applications in optimizing alfalfa production for the region.

Wri has recently joined DART after completing his Ph.D. at Presidency University, India and brings a strong background in precision weed management using remote sensing technologies. He will now be working on multidisciplinary research projects in our team with emphasis on integrating AI and multispectral technologies in understanding weed management in spatial and temporal scales to reduce the herbicide resistance. Wri is a wanderlust who also has a fascination for shooting (photography and rifle). When Wri is not researching, he likes walking, travelling to new places, trailing amidst nature, and collecting magnets. Check his website! https://wridutta.wixsite.com/environment-research

Farshina is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and her research focuses on the application of Machine Learning for resource optimization. Her recent work addresses the critical issue of irrigation water optimization in drought-prone regions like states of Montana, California and Kansas, employing innovative statistical and machine-learning techniques. Farshina’s solutions effectively bridge gaps in data frequency challenges, providing informed irrigation decisions for farmers. During her master’s program from 2018-2020, her focus was on automated power management in smart grids, emphasizing the enhancement of microgrid resiliency to prevent blackouts. Beyond her academic pursuits, Farshina actively engages in community services, advocating for underprivileged groups. Driven by a passion for solving complex problems, she aspires to make a meaningful societal impact through her ongoing research endeavors.

Sindhu is researching early water and nutrient stress detection through the application of Hyperspectral Imaging techniques for row crops. Her previous expertise at Texas A&M AgriLife Corpus Christi is in multi-temporal canopy features of cotton using diverse regression models. Sindhu recently earned her master’s degree from Texas A&M University Kingsville and is driven by a passion for advancing her knowledge in Precision Agriculture to contribute to sustainable and efficient farming practices. Outside research, Sindhu could be found watching anime or being creative with her culinary skills.

Sourajit Dey, is originally from West Bengal, India, and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Kansas State University as a Graduate Research Assistant. With a focus on forage agronomy, he aims to enhance drought resilience in alfalfa, and his project is funded by USDA to monitor impacts of drought on forage production in Southern Great Plains. Dey holds a M.S. degree from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, India. He excels in statistical programming and is enthusiastic about exploring coding for agriculture datasets. Beyond academia, he enjoys travel, music, and guitar, embracing exploration and creativity.

Nishadini is originally from Sri Lanka and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Technology and Management in 2019, followed by a Master’s degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 2022, both from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Additionally, she completed her second Master’s degree in Agronomy at K-State in December 2023. She is excited to work as a PhD student with Dr. Gaurav Jha on the soil microbial innovations project funded by National Science Foundation (https://www.k-state.edu/micra/). In her free time, she enjoys traveling to appreciate nature, as well as indulging in her passion for cooking and baking.

Udit Debangshi, is a Graduate Research Assistant pursuing his M.S. at Kansas State University, focusing on understanding how different climates and soil types affect crop management and yield predictions in various agricultural regions. He has a B.S. in Agriculture from Visva-Bharati University in India. He is passionate about crops and soils and draws inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore (a renowned Indian philosopher and poet, particularly his ideas about education). He has authored and co-authored scientific articles on topics related precision farming technologies, Additionally, he has initiated a group called ‘The Indian Society of Sustainability’. He aspires to make a positive impact in agriculture, guided by Tagore’s words: “The roots below the earth claim no rewards for making the branches fruitful.”

Douglas is an undergraduate student at Kansas State majoring in Agronomy with a specialty in Precision Agriculture and minoring in Animal Science. He has industry experience with agronomic use of UAVs, artificial intelligence, and crop yield prediction models. Additionally, he has experience in production of major row crops from his family farm. Douglas assists in data acquisition, processing, and analysis for various projects of the DART lab.

Jackson Jenkins is a student at Kansas State University, majoring in Agronomy with a focus on Precision Agriculture. With a strong passion for farming, Jackson aims to use his expertise to enhance the growth and success of his family’s farm. Additionally, Jackson has plans to launch his own agronomy company to provide valuable support and solutions to other farms, for agricultural innovation and sustainability.