The Graduate Student Research Awards are used to advance the scholarship of graduate students and faculty working in partnership. Grants up to $5,000 are awarded to the selected student/faculty pairs and are intended to help support student research, scholarship, and creative activity; give students experience writing grants; and foster the mentoring relationship between faculty and graduate students.
We have eight more outstanding research programs awarded for spring 2025 across many colleges and departments. We hope that you will read about the work these graduate students are engaged in here at UT.
Understanding the evolutionary functions of within-individual variation in animal signaling
Trina Chou
PhD student, ecology and evolutionary biology
Trina Chou’s research examines how variations in male frog mating calls influence female decision-making, focusing on the green treefrog, Hyla cinerea. Specifically, she investigates whether within-individual variation in calls—differences in how a single male calls over time—provides useful information, acts as distracting noise, or has no impact on female preferences. Through controlled experiments, she tests how females respond to call variability and analyzes their choices using statistical models. This study aims to deepen our understanding of sexual selection and communication in animals, with broader implications for behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology.
Acquisition of technologies with the goal of enhancing in vitro produced embryo research at the University of Tennessee
Jane Kennedy
PhD student, animal science
Jane Kennedy’s research focuses on using in vitro embryo production (IVP) to study methods to reduce pregnancy loss in cattle. IVP is a technique where eggs are isolated from ovaries, matured and fertilized in the laboratory to generate embryos for transfer into surrogate cows or for long-term preservation through freezing. IVP is a powerful tool for improving herd genetics, enhancing sustainability, and providing insights into early embryonic development. This project aims to optimize the efficiency and flexibility of IVP by acquiring specialized equipment for embryo freezing (cryopreservation) and transport. These tools will support more precise scheduling of embryo transfers and expand research opportunities, including testing of current cryopreservation methods. In addition, this project emphasizes training others in embryo handling and cryopreservation techniques, equipping the researcher with essential skills for a career in reproductive science while also building capacity to share knowledge with students, producers, and industry partners to advance fertility strategies in livestock.
Tri-functional Coral and Flora Ecosystem (TriCoRa) to address CO capture, saltwater intrusion, and flood prevention
Saeed Davar
PhD student, civil engineering
This project aims to create a unique 3D-printed coral reef system called the Tri-functional Coral and Flora Ecosystem (TriCoRa) to address major environmental challenges such as capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂), preventing saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources, and reducing flooding risks. Saeed Davar plans to build a prototype to show how this system can protect coastlines while restoring biodiversity. The TriCoRa project, which also won the ASCE Trent R. Dames & William W. Moore Award 2025, has the potential to lead to new technologies for protecting coastal communities, enhancing marine ecosystems, and addressing climate change challenges
Flies as environmental drones for wildlife disease ecology: Passive surveillance of Histomonas meleagridis using the Black Blow Fly, Phormia regina (Meigen)
Makhali Sh Voss
PhD student, entomology, nematology, and plant pathology
This research investigates how the black blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen) can help track blackhead disease, which is fatal to wild turkeys. Blow flies feed on dead animals and waste, inadvertently collecting DNA from these sources. By analyzing the DNA acquired by blow flies, scientists can identify what animals are in the area and detect diseases they may carry. The goal of this research is to investigate the use of blow flies as a simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective way to monitor and manage outbreaks of blackhead disease. This innovative approach could lead to better tools for protecting wildlife populations.
Molecular characterization of southern blight in woody ornamentals
Dipika Sharma
Master’s student, entomology and plant pathology
This research focuses on southern blight, a plant disease which affects ornamental plants commonly grown in Tennessee nurseries. The goal is to study the genetic makeup of this pathogen and test how different fungicides work against it. By finding the most effective treatments, the study aims to help nursery growers manage the disease in a way that saves money, protects the environment, and reduces the risk of the pathogen becoming resistant to fungicides. The findings from this study will be shared with nursery growers to help them protect their crops and promote sustainable farming practices. This work has the potential to reduce economic losses while supporting healthier and more resilient agricultural systems.
Target enrichment methods for studying the diversification and biogeography of bryophytes
Ainun Nadhifah
PhD student, ecology and evolutionary biology
Ainun Nadhifah’s research focuses on understanding the evolutionary history and global distribution of Neolepidozia, a group of liverworts—small, non-vascular plants that thrive in moist environments and play vital roles in ecosystems like nutrient cycling and soil protection. Nadhifah’s work aims to uncover how these plants diversified into different species and spread across continents over time. Using advanced DNA sequencing techniques, she analyzes genetic material from preserved plant specimens to build a detailed evolutionary tree, which helps identify when and how species emerged and adapted to their environments. By studying traits and environmental factors that influence diversification, this research sheds light on how bryophytes respond to climate change and provides insights for conservation efforts, especially in regions with unique biodiversity.
Red-cheeked salamanders as a genetic bridge between two plethodon species complexes
Zachary Vegso
PhD student, ecology and evolutionary biology
Zachary Vegso’s research investigates the unique hybridization dynamics of salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, focusing on the red-cheeked salamander (Plethodon jordani). Hybridization occurs when two different species interbreed, and in this case, P. jordani hybridizes with both the southern gray-cheeked salamander (P. metcalfi) and southern Appalachian slimy salamander (P. teyahalee). Vegso explores the idea that P. jordani acts as a “genetic bridge,” facilitating the transfer of potentially beneficial genetic traits between these species, even though P. metcalfi and P. teyahalee rarely (if ever) hybridize directly. By sequencing DNA samples and analyzing gene flow (the movement of genetic material between populations), his work aims to understand how hybridization contributes to evolution and adaptation. This research has broader implications for understanding biodiversity, evolutionary processes, and conservation strategies in changing environments.
Development of a novel rearing protocol for Neurocolpus nubilus (Hemiptera: Miridae)
Nathan Arey
PhD student, entomology, nematology, and plant pathology
Nathan Arey’s research highlights the success of two major agricultural advancements: the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and the widespread use of genetically modified cotton that produces Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural insecticide. These efforts have significantly reduced the need for harmful pesticides, improved cotton yields, and minimized damage from pests. However, the study also examines how these changes have shifted pest populations, with new challenges arising from insects not targeted by Bt cotton. The findings aim to provide better pest management strategies for sustainable cotton farming.
Identifying hotspots of genetic diversity in Tennessee’s wild grape populations to combat downy mildew disease
Anugya Bhattarai
Master’s student, entomology and plant pathology
Anugya Bhattarai’s research focuses on understanding the genetic diversity of wild grape species in Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest to combat a major agricultural challenge: downy mildew (DM), a disease that can devastate grape crops. Grapes, one of the world’s most valuable fruit crops, face threats from diseases like DM, which is caused by a microorganism called Plasmopara viticola. To address this, Bhattarai studies wild relatives of cultivated grapes, which are native to North America and possess unique genetic traits that could help improve disease resistance. Her work involves collecting grape samples from diverse environments, analyzing their DNA to identify genetic variations, and mapping regions with high potential for disease resistance. By using advanced genomic tools like “pangenome graphs” (a method to study the full range of genetic diversity across species), she aims to uncover genes that make wild grapes naturally resistant to DM. This research not only supports the development of more resilient grape varieties for farmers but also informs conservation strategies to protect these valuable wild grape populations.