Graduate Students
André Lucas Simões Araujo
Ph.D., Weed Science
Advisor – Todd Gaines
Research Area
I am investigating auxin herbicide resistance in kochia populations from Colorado, focusing on both metabolism and the genetic basis of resistance, as well as herbicide recurrent selection using a mixture of auxin herbicides.
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Sofía Marques Hill
Ph.D., Weed Science
Advisor – Todd Gaines
Research Area
Weed Molecular Biology. Understanding herbicide resistance to synthetic auxins. Genetic mapping of herbicide resistance to pre-emergents in Lolium rigidum. Building the reference genome of Cirsium arvense and understanding sex determination.
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William Kramer
Ph.D., Weed Science
Advisor – Dr. Todd Gaines
Research Area
My current research focuses on understanding the cause of quizalofop herbicide injury in CoAxium winter wheat using a variety of molecular biology techniques.
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Amber Pelon
Ph.D., Weed Science
Advisors – Franck Dayan and Todd Gaines
Research Area
Precision mitigation of foothills larkspur toxicity on western rangelands.
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Catherine Traxler
Ph.D., Weed Science
Advisors – Franck Dayan and Todd Gaines
Research Area
The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in herbicidal activity by exploring herbicidal modes of action that involve the production of ROS and oxidative damage to gain a better understanding of plant stress and the possibility of utilizing this knowledge in the development of new her
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Curtis Lefler
M.S., Weed Science
Advisor – Lovreet Shergill
Research Area
Studying Herbicide resistance within different populations of kochia.
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Joy Amajioyi
Ph.D – Bioagricultural Science (Weed Science Specialization)
Advisor – Dr. Todd Gaines
Research Area
I am interested in research geared toward advancing sustainable and regenerative agriculture, increasing farmers’ return on investment, and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. My PhD research utilizes heterologous expression systems to investigate the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes in metabolic herbicide resistance. This study would also provide insights into herbicide cross-resistance issues plaguing agriculture, thereby informing integrated weed management strategies for sustainable and resilient farming practices in the face of climate change.
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Eduardo Carlos Rüdell
Ph.D., Weed Science
Advisor – Todd Gaines
Research Area
My research focuses on understanding the gene expression networks involved in the regulation of metabolism-based HPPD-resistant Amaranthus palmeri.