I am an Assistant Professor of Precision Agriculture at Langston University, where my research leverages UAVs, advanced sensors, and artificial intelligence to design scalable phenotyping platforms.
With over 7 years of experience in phenotypic analysis, remote sensing, genomic selection, and multi-omic predictive breeding strategies, I bring expertise in advanced statistical analysis, R and Python programming, and quantitative genetics.
My commitment is to advance agricultural technology through innovative tools that accelerate crop genetic improvement and strengthen agricultural resilience.
Research Focus Areas
Aug 2025
Ph.D. in Plant Breeding
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Specialization: Phenomics & Quantitative Genetics · Advisor: Dr. Ali Babar
May 2021
M.S. in Horticultural Sciences
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Specialization: Phenotyping & Plant Physiology · Advisor: Dr. Ute Albrecht
Dec 2017
B.Sc. Agriculture
Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal
Present
Assistant Professor
Langston University – School of Agriculture & Applied Sciences
Biosystem Engineering & Precision Agriculture
- Apply UAV-based & proximal sensors, machine vision, and AI to advance phenotyping
- Develop precision agriculture tools to optimize agricultural inputs
- Lead research & teaching integrating cutting-edge remote sensing technology
Aug 2025
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Florida – World Food Crop Breeding & Genetics Lab
PI: Dr. Ali Babar
- Enhanced genomic prediction models for complex agronomic traits
- Designed & executed wheat and oat breeding trials and selections
- Operated UAV flights integrating hyperspectral sensors and genomic data
Aug 2021
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Florida – Plant Physiology Lab
PI: Dr. Ute Albrecht
- Evaluated citrus rootstock breeding trials for horticultural attributes
- Collaborated on precision agriculture projects using UAV & machine learning
- Conducted greenhouse research and molecular physiology experiments
2018
Agri-Market Analyst
Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, Nepal
Sweet Orange Super-zone, Sindhuli · Analyzed market data; published "Superzone Profile" booklet.
Deciphering the genetic basis of yield components in wheat by integrating hyperspectral-based phenomes
Plant Phenomics 8(3), 100235 (2026)
Genomic prediction for stem rust resistance in the southern United States elite oat (Avena sativa) germplasm
Frontiers in Plant Science 17, 1795871 (2026)
Uncovering the genetic architecture of biomass yield and related traits in Southern US oat germplasm using genome-wide association study
Theoretical and Applied Genetics 139(6), 168 (2026)
Optimizing biomass partitioning in wheat using UAV-based hyperspectral phenomic and genomic prediction
Frontiers in Plant Science 17, 1740337 (2026)
Effectiveness of low-density high-throughput marker platform and easy-to-measure traits for genomic prediction of biomass yield in oat (Avena sativa L.)
The Plant Genome 19(1), e70179 (2026)
Enhancing prediction accuracy of key biomass partitioning traits in wheat using multi-kernel genomic prediction models
The Plant Genome 18(2), e70052 (2025)
Leveraging Multi-Omics Data with Machine Learning to Predict Grain Yield in Small vs. Big Plot Wheat Trials
Agronomy 15(6), 1315 (2025)
Field performance of 'Valencia' orange trees on diploid and tetraploid rootstocks in HLB-endemic conditions
Scientia Horticulturae 309, 111635 (2023)
Determining leaf nutrient concentrations in citrus trees using UAV imagery and machine learning
Precision Agriculture 23(3), 854–875 (2022)
Crop diversification for improved weed management: A review
Agriculture 11(5), 461 (2021)
Field performance of 'Hamlin' orange trees grown on various rootstocks in huanglongbing-endemic conditions
HortScience 56(2), 244–253 (2021)
Gerald O. Mott Award
Crop Science Society of America
Bayer B4U Mentorship Program
Selected for Bayer University Mentorship Program
William C. & Bertha M. Cornett Fellowship
UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
NAPB Borlaug Scholarship
National Association of Plant Breeders
First Place – Oral Presentation
8th Annual Plant Breeding Retreat, University of Florida
First Place – Poster Competition
8th Annual Plant Science Symposium, UF
Dr. Elaine Turner Plant Breeding Scholarship
University of Florida
Plant Breeding Top-up Award
University of Florida
Travel Grant – CSSA
Western Society of Crop Science, Hawaii
Travel Scholarship
Society of Organic Seed Professionals, West Virginia
Student Speaker Award
Plant Science Council Symposium, UF
Second Place – Best Student Paper
Florida State Horticultural Society
Invited talks & conference presentations
Deciphering the genomic regions influencing the hyperspectral-based phenome correlated with yield associated traits in wheat
UF Plant Breeding Retreat 2025
📍 Daytona, FL
Enhancing wheat yield potential: integrating genomic and phenomic approaches for biomass partitioning optimization
3rd International Wheat Congress 2024
📍 Perth, Australia
Integrating remote sensing with genomics to enhance agronomic trait prediction in wheat
UF Plant Breeding Retreat 2024
📍 Daytona, FL
Integrating remote sensing data for phenomic and genomic prediction of agronomic traits in wheat
UF Plant Science Symposium 2024
📍 Gainesville, FL
Optimizing genomic prediction models to predict HI, yield, and biomass partitioning traits in wheat
LSU Plant Science Symposium 2023
📍 Baton Rouge, LA
Determining yield, harvest index, and biomass partitioning traits using UAV-based hyperspectral sensor and machine learning
Western Crop Science Society (WCSSA) Annual Meeting 2023
📍 Honolulu, Hawaii
Potential use of UAV-based remote sensing tools for indirect assessment of harvest index and biomass partitioning traits
AI Conference 2023
📍 Orlando, FL
Estimation of harvest index and biomass partitioning traits using UAV-based remote sensing and genomics
Student Organic Seed Symposium 2022
📍 Morgantown, WV
Evaluating citrus rootstocks for high-density plantings in HLB-endemic conditions
ASHS Annual Conference 2021
📍 Denver, CO
Field performances of 'Hamlin' orange trees on diploid and tetraploid rootstocks in HLB-endemic conditions
Florida State Horticultural Society (FSHS) Annual Meeting 2020
📍 Florida