CFANS Postdoc Board

Supporting CFANS Postdocs

The purpose of the CFANS Postdoc Board is to foster relationships between postdocs of all CFANS units, and serve as a voice for postdocs with CFANS administration. The Board also provides social and professional development programs and opportunities.
The CFANS Postdoc Board serves the entire community of postdocs across the College by providing resources, planning events and networking opportunities, and advocating on behalf of postdocs.

CFANS Postdoc Resource Guide PDA Postdoctoral Handbook

2025-26 Officers

Lovepreet Singh, Chair

Plant Pathology

Lovepreet Singh is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota and the USDA Cereal Disease Lab, St. Paul, MN. Lovepreet’s farming background fuels his motivation to develop sustainable plant disease management strategies to ensure food security in an environmentally responsible way. Lovepreet earned his PhD under the guidance of Dr Nidhi Rawat at the University of Maryland, College Park. His PhD focused on a multipronged approach for Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) disease management in wheat, including genetic mapping for native disease resistance, fungicide efficacy studies, and studies to understand the mode of action of a FHB disease resistance gene, PFT. Lovepreet joined Dr Mitch Elmore’s group at the USDA Cereal Disease Lab to continue his passion for unraveling Fusarium-plant host interactions. Lovepreet is currently using multi-omics approaches to study Fusarium graminearum and barley interaction. Additionally, Lovepreet is developing high-throughput molecular diagnostics tools for Fusarium. Lovepreet serves as a vice chair in the CFANS postdoc board and as a postdoc representative for the CFANS Inclusive Excellence Advisory Committee. Lovepreet is actively involved in science outreach events and has participated in UMN FFA events, 4-H FFA Crop scouting regional, Borlaug Inspire Day, Twin Cities Science Fair, and the MN state fair.

Charlotte Brault, Communications/Vice Chair

Agronomy & Plant Genetics

Charlotte Brault is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota under the supervision of James Anderson in the department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics. Charlotte joined the University of Minnesota in June 2023 and is member of the CFANS postdoc board since August 2024 and serves as the Vice-chair since September 2025. Charlotte’s research focuses on how to improve the plant breeding process with the use of genomics information. Specifically, she developed methods for applying genomic prediction in several wheat breeding programs in collaboration with breeders. By harnessing historical phenotypic and genotypic data, Charlotte uncovers which settings are the most appropriate for implementing genomic prediction. Charlotte received a master’s degree from AgroParisTech engineering university (France) in 2018, and a PhD on grapevine breeding from Institut Agro Montpellier (France) in 2021. After her PhD defense, Charlotte did a one-year postdoc in Montpellier on grapevine database management.

Danny Gotarkar, Engagement Chair/Social Chair

Fisheries, Wildlife, Conservation Biology

Danny Gotarkar, PhD, is a passionate molecular biologist and an enthusiastic advocate for plant research, currently working in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (FWCB). His innovative work focuses on developing high-throughput methods for identifying native and invasive aquatic plants, contributing to a deeper understanding of plant ecosystems and their management. Outside of his research, Danny is known for his adventurous spirit and sociable nature. He actively participates in CrossFit to maintain his fitness and enjoys playing tennis during his leisure time. A dedicated traveler, he is on a mission to visit all the national parks in the United States, capturing stunning landscapes through his photography. In his role as the Social and Engagement Chair for the CFANS postdoc community, Danny is committed to fostering connections among peers and supporting their professional journeys. He warmly invites fellow researchers to share their scientific achievements or personal stories for inclusion in the monthly newsletter, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and celebrated. Danny is always eager to connect and engage with the postdoc community, making him a valuable asset to those around him.

Megan Freiler, Budget Chair

Entomology

Megan Freiler is a postdoctoral associate in the Entomology Department at the University of Minnesota. Megan is a neuroethologist and neuroendocrinologist. She earned her PhD in Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior from Indiana University in 2023. Her work broadly examines the neural and hormonal processes that underlie individual and species variation in adaptive animal behaviors. Currently, she is investigating the neural mechanisms regulating the recovery of locomotor behavior following injury in the medicinal leech. Megan also enjoys mentoring undergraduates in the lab and serves on the Social Committee for UMN’s Postdoctoral Association (PDA).

Matthew Gullickson, Cluster Rep

Horticulture

Matthew Gullickson is a postdoctoral research associate in the Horticultural Sciences department at the University of Minnesota, and serves as the departmental representative on the CFANS postdoc board. As an applied agricultural ecologist, he specializes in plant-insect interactions with expertise in integrated pest management (IPM), invasive species management, and fruit production. His research aims to advance agricultural sustainability by exploring what drives plant-insect dynamics including climate, plant biochemistry, and pest management decisions, and assessing the ecological and economic costs of invasive insects. Matthew’s approach is rooted in collaboration: he works closely with grower organizations to identify research priorities, partners across disciplines to develop fundamental insights, and mentors emerging scientists and environmental professionals. His work strengthens the University’s reputation for nationally recognized research and extension and aligns with his broader goals: to contribute to basic understanding of plant-insect interactions, serve the public through applied research, and communicate pressing issues in entomology and horticulture.

Mary Buschette, Staff Liaison

Mary Buschette is Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Science at the University of Minnesota. In this role she connects students with alumni and professionals who can guide, connect, and inspire them to find their future career passions. She builds bridges between alumni, industry professionals and supporters of the college and university through programs such as the CFANS Mentor Program, Networking Night, a Golf Scramble that raises funds for scholarships and serves as a liaison to groups including the Graduate Student and Postdoc Boards. Outside of work Mary enjoys working in the garden, reading historical fiction and traveling, especially when it requires a passport.

Upcoming events

The CFANS Postdoc Board plans programming throughout the academic year. If you are not a part of the postdoc community listserv, email us at [email protected].

Additional resources

Join the UMN Postdoctoral Association for campus-wide programming and advocacy.

CFANS Postdoc Board

Supporting CFANS Postdocs

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