People
Meet the Team!
Charles Rice is a University Distinguished Professor and holds the Vanier University Professorship at Kansas State University. He is a Professor of Soil Microbiology in the Department of Agronomy. He teaches courses and conducts research on soil carbon and nitrogen, soil health, microbial ecology, and climate change impacts on agricultural and grassland ecosystems.
Contact Dr. Rice
Phone: (785) 532-7217
Dr. Vara Prasad is a University Distinguished Professor and holds the R.O. Kruse Professorship at Kansas State University. He is a Professor of Crop Ecophysiology in the Department of Agronomy. He conduct's research on sustainable crop production, crop responses, crop resilience, climate change impacts on agricultural systems, and strategies for enhancing food security in global cropping systems.
Contact Dr. Prasad
Phone: (785) 532-3746
Dr. Andres Patrignani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agronomy at Kansas State University. He specializes in Soil Water Processes and teaches courses and conducts research on soil moisture dynamics, precision agriculture, and the impacts of climate variability on soil water availability.
Contact Dr. Prasad
Email: andrespatrignani@ksu.edu
Phone: (785) 532-5732
Dr. Randall C. Hill is a Professor of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, and a Professor of Geography and Geospatial Sciences at Kansas State University. His research explores themes of social and ecological resilience, particularly through the lenses of water, agriculture, and migration, examining their roles in fostering sustainable communities.
Contact Dr. Sanderson
Phone: (785) 532-6865
Dr. Jennifer Ifft is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Agricultural Policy at Kansas State University. Her research and extension work focuses on policy and regulatory issues impacting U.S. and Kansas agriculture, with current projects on nontraditional finance, crop insurance, farmland markets, and farm labor.
Contact Dr. Ifft
Phone: (785) 532-4486
Dr. KC is a Professor of Range Beef Cattle Nutrition and Management and the W.M. and F.A. Lewis Distinguished Chair in the Department of Animal Sciences & Industry at Kansas State University. He conducts research on issues impacting the profitability of the Kansas beef industry, including invasive plant management, cattle nutrition on native range, and fire ecology.
Contact Dr. Olson
Phone: (785) 532-1254
Dr. Moore is an Associate Professor in Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University. Her research focuses on nature-based engineered systems that support ecosystem services, with emphasis on water quality, carbon sequestration, and resiliency to extreme climate events.
Contact Dr. Moore
Phone: (785) 532-2911
Understanding the importance of digital marketing in the firm is the basis of Esther Swilley’s research. She also examines the impact of technology and marketing. Specific areas on interest include mobile marketing and commerce, the marketing of new technologies, and the development of digital marketing strategies that align with firm goals.
Contact Dr. Swilley
Phone: (785) 532-6135
Dr. Mark Haub is a Professor and Department Head of the Department of Kinesiology at Kansas State University. His research explores nutrition's role in health and human performance, focusing on body composition, energy metabolism, and dietary interventions for weight management and aging.
Contact Dr. Haub
Phone: (785) 532-5508
Dr. Ansley Chua is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Kansas State University. His research focuses on corporate finance, with specific interests in mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and financial markets. He teaches courses on finance fundamentals, preparing students to understand complex financial systems and make informed business decisions.
Contact Dr. Chua
Phone: (785) 532-6031
Dr. Gaurav Jha is an Assistant Professor in Precision Agriculture in the Department of Agronomy. His lab Digital Agronomy Research Team focuses on maximizing agricultural production in the integrated agricultural system of Kansas using proximal and remote sensing techniques. His research is dedicated to minimizing the environmental footprint across different spatiotemporal scales.
Contact Dr. Jha
Dr. Logan Thompson grew up on a Texas ranch, inspiring his passion for sustainable beef production. He earned degrees from Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Michigan State University, focusing on ruminant nutrition. Before joining Kansas State in 2022, he was a postdoc at Colorado State. Logan’s research examines greenhouse gas emissions, grazing management, and nutrient use.
Contact Dr. Thompson
Phone: (785) 532-2840
Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz is a Professor of Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management at Kansas State University. His research focuses on developing efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound nutrient management practices for Kansas crops. Key interests include fertilizer use, soil testing, and manure application. Dr. Ruiz Diaz earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University
Contact Dr. Diaz
Phone: (785) 532-6183
Dr. Romulo P. Lollato, Associate Professor of Agronomy at Kansas State University, specializes in Extension Wheat and Forages. His research focuses on wheat production and physiology. He oversees over 20 projects, mentoring graduate students and advancing sustainable practices. Dr. Lollato is an award-winning editor for Agronomy Journal and a member of multiple agronomy societies.
Contact Dr. Lollato
Phone: (785) 532-0397
Dr. Anita Dille is a Professor of Weed Science at Kansas State University, specializing in weed population dynamics and management in agricultural systems. Her research focuses on cover crop impacts, herbicide efficacy, weed-crop competition, and species effects on yields. Dr. Dille earned her Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska.
Contact Dr. Dille
Phone: (785) 532-7203