Innovation and community: Recapping the fourth annual CFANS Research Symposium
March 27, 2026
The St. Paul Student Center hummed with activity as the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) held its fourth annual Research Symposium on March 19. The event showcased the innovative spirit defining the College, bringing the CFANS community together for a day of discovery and connection. Beyond the rigorous academic exchange, the atmosphere was festive and social, with attendees enjoying the high-energy environment and a celebratory serving of pie to mark the occasion.
The afternoon featured eight oral presentations that delved into some of the most pressing challenges facing Minnesota and the world. These sessions highlighted the depth of CFANS’ research, including Mark Fuka’s work on using broad-scale revegetation to inhibit the growth of common buckthorn, an aggressive invasive species. Other presentations explored the intersection of science and nature; Elise Bernstein and Whitney Sansom discussed using remote sensing and participatory science to assess urban greening and biodiversity, while Colin Peters shared research on how native Minnesota fungi are being used to combat emerald ash borer beetles. Additionally, Biola Adeyemi presented strategies for optimizing nitrogen application in corn through on-farm evaluations.
In the North Star Ballroom, 107 poster presentations provided a panoramic view of the diverse talent throughout CFANS. The research spanned an array of disciplines, from Stephen Norton’s study on how the public perceives the use of robots in Minnesota waters to Garima Gupta’s methods for managing invasive jumping worms. Other posters touched on critical health and environmental topics, such as Aleshia Frances Pena’s research on the effects of pasteurization on lipid oxidation on human milk for baby nutrition and Daniel Xie’s application of machine learning to map seagrass via photo imagery.
The symposium also featured interactive displays from CFANS Research and Outreach Centers (ROCs) and key partners that are part of CFANS. Organizations including the Bell Museum, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Plant Protein Innovation Center (PPIC), and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) were on hand to showcase their work.
CFANS Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Programs and Faculty Development Milena Saqui-Salces expressed pride in the high level of participation and the quality of the work on display.
As the final posters were tucked away and the last slices of pie enjoyed, the symposium left a lasting impression of purpose and possibility. By bridging the gap between the lab and the landscape, the event served as a powerful reminder that the research within CFANS isn't just academic — it is the blueprint for a more resilient Minnesota and a healthier world.
Abstracts receiving CFANS departmental recognition
Agronomy and Plant Genetics
Presenter: Postdoc, Lovepreet Singh
Title: Stability Analysis of Soybean Yield and Seed Composition Traits in the Regional Quality Traits Test
Animal Science
Presenter: Graduate Student, Dhananjai Muringattu Prabhakaran
Title: Probiotic and Vaccine-Based Strategies Reduce Salmonella Infantis and Modulate the Cecal Microbiome in Broiler Chickens
Applied Economics
Presenter: Graduate Student, Matthew Braaksma
Title: Valuing Forest-Mediated Landslide Regulation: A Global Ecosystem Service Methodology for Quantifying Avoided Human Mortality
Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
Presenter: Graduate Student, Sayofunmi Gbenga Adegbembo
Title: Mechanical Properties of Selected Wood Species Following Thermal Modification
Presenter: Graduate Student, Nihar Sakhadeo
Title: Effect of compatibilizer on interaction between biobased nanofillers and non-compatible poly(butylene succinate)
Presenter: Graduate Student, Noelle Cielito Soriano
Title: Emissions of carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methane across variable surface areas and volumes of stored dairy manure
Presenter: Graduate Student, Xiao Sun
Title: Sequential fermentation of wheat straw and fruit/vegetable wastes into sustainable cattle feed and its economic feasibility
Entomology
Presenter: Researcher, Regina Stacke
Title: Assessment of insecticide toxicity to adults of soybean gall midge, Resseliella maxima
Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Presenter: Researcher, Elise Bernstein
Title: Using remote sensing, participatory science, and passive data collection methods to assess the relationship between urban greening and biodiversity
Food Science and Nutrition
Presenter: Graduate Student, Aleshia Frances Pena
Title: Effects of defatting and pasteurization in human milk lipid oxidation profile
Forest Resources
Presenter: Graduate Student, Greg Harris
Title: Persistence and decay of retained snags during early stand development of red pine forests in northern Minnesota
Presenter: Extension Educator, Han Kim
Title: Integrating Participatory Science and Invasive Species Research: Monitoring Erosion in Jumping Worm-Invaded Forests
Horticultural Science
Presenter: Postdoc, Xin Xin
Title: The Effect of Germination Stimulants on Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Seeds
Plant Pathology
Presenter: Graduate Student, Pranaya Kaki
Title: Refining Root-Associated Microbial Consortia for Biocontrol of Soil-Borne Pathogens in Corn
Soil, Water and Climate
Presenter: Graduate Student, Biola Adeyemi
Title: Optimizing Nitrogen Application in Corn: An On-Farm Evaluation of Management Zone-Based Variable Rates
