CFAES Research & Graduate Education

Judit Puskas, University Distinguished Professor in @OhioStateFABE, received the 2026 Innovator of the Year Award at this month's CFAES Awards! As a leader in polymer science and biomaterials, her research and global recognition continue to elevate CFAES. Congratulations!

The Tomatoes and Human Health team received the 2026 Distinguished Interdisciplinary Team Research Award at this month's CFAES Awards. Through their research, Jessica Cooperstone, David Francis and Sheila Jacobi uncovered compounds that contribute to human health. Congrats!

Khwannarin Khemsom received the 2026 William E. Krauss Director’s Award for Outstanding Publication by a Graduate Student at this month's CFAES Awards. Khwannarin is Ph.D. candidate with @OSUPlantPath. Congratulations, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

Volunteer as a State Science Day Judge and inspire Ohio’s future STEM leaders! Online judging: Projects released April 13. Reviews due by 5:00 PM on April 27. In-person: May 16 @ OSU Covelli Center (7 AM–12 PM) 👉 Register: partner.projectboard.world/oas/judge 📧 info@ohiosci.org

Research Associate Laura Chapin received the 2026 Distinguished Research Technical Staff Award at this month's CFAES Awards. Laura is known for her research on ornamental crop development and controlled-environment agriculture, as well as her student mentorship. Congratulations!

Reed Johnson, professor of entomology, received the 2026 Distinguished Senior Faculty Research Award at this month's CFAES Awards. His research, which advances pollinator health and supports beekeepers, is globally recognized for its impact. Congratulations!

Ryan Winston of @OhioStateFABE received the 2026 Distinguished Junior Faculty Research Award at this month's CFAES Awards. His research on water resources engineering yields real-world solutions for local governments, agencies and watershed groups. Congratulations!

Jonathan Jacobs of @OSUPlantPath received the 2026 Distinguished International Research and Engagement Award at this month's CFAES Awards. His research on emerging plant diseases and his global leadership in agricultural biosecurity make a tremendous impact. Congratulations!

The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) is now accepting proposals! Funding supports integrated research & extension projects tackling key challenges in specialty crop production—conventional & organic. Learn More: go.osu.edu/DHSD 📅 Deadline: June 15, 2026

📢 Researchers: join the Google AI Co‑Scientist Workshop. Please share with others who may be interested! 📅 April 30 | 10AM–2PM 📍 EAIC, Room 150 Explore GrantAI, NotebookLM Pro, Co‑Scientist, AlphaEvolve & more to accelerate your research. 🔗Register: go.osu.edu/googleresearch

A warm welcome to our new Associate Dean for Research and Grad Ed and Director of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, effective 6/1/26-6/30/30. We're looking forward to working with Dr. Strange as he brings his expertise & vision to R&GE. Read More: go.osu.edu/DHJ3

🌱 USDA NIFA has released new OREI funding opportunities to support organic ag research, education, and outreach. All three NOFOs—Planning, Research, & Workshop Projects—are due 5/14/26. Learn more and find the right fit for your project: go.osu.edu/DG9U

In our last highlight, Dr. Annie Specht tells us, "Why did I get involved in research?" "My research mentor showed me that social science research in ag can answer a lot of questions about why people think the way they do about the industry." Read More: go.osu.edu/DGqE

We asked our STARS, "Why did you get involved in research?" A trip to a national conference sparked Dr. Kellie Claflin's passion for agriscience ed and set her on the path to becoming a faculty member who now mentors the next gen of researchers. More: go.osu.edu/DGqE

It's CFAES Research Forum Week. To celebrate, we asked the STARS cohort, "why did you get involved in research?" "I got into research because I’ve always been fascinated by genetic diversity and how we can use it to improve crops." - Dr. Yu Ma Read More: go.osu.edu/DGqE

The AI(X) Hub is hosting the AI(X) Grand Challenge Workshop on 5/4 & 5/12! A two‑day push to build teams tackling bold AI “moonshots”—including AI for Ag—aimed at $10M+ federal center‑level funding. 📍 EAIC Room 130 🕘 9AM–5PM 🔗 Register (limited spots) go.osu.edu/DGd8

Google.org’s $30M AI for Science challenge supports AI-driven research in Health & Life Sciences and Climate & Environmental Science. 💰 $500K–$3M awards 🤝 Technical support from Google engineers 📅 Due: 4/17/26 Interested PIs contact Luiza Newlin-Lukowicz.1@osu.edu

🚨 LAST CALL! 🚨 Register by 5 PM TOMORROW (3/24) for the 2026 CFAES Research Forum & Poster Competition on 4/9 in Columbus! Judges Needed! ✅ Dr. Graham Cochran keynote ✅ Poster competition (spots limited to 80!) ✅ Lunch + Wooster campus bus provided 👉go.osu.edu/DEve

🌱 Ohio Specialty Crop funding alert The ODA plans to release the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant RFP around April 1 (proposals due ~May 1). Research projects will be considered this year, with interest in marketing & education. Consider applying! More details to come—stay tuned!

🎉 Join us for the 2026 CFAES Research Forum & Poster Competition on April 9! Posters, networking, lunch, a keynote panel, and a celebration of CFAES research—all in one day. Bus service from Wooster available. 👉 Register to attend or judge! go.osu.edu/DEve