People

Dario Javier Chavez
Associate Professor-PI
dchavez@uga.edu
(770) 228-7242

Jordan R. Knapp-Wilson
PhD Student
Research: Imaging and Data Analysis of Peach Tree Architecture Amongst Different Cultivars and Rootstocks.
jordan.knappwilson@uga.edu

Orestis Giannopoulos
MS Student
Main advisor Dr. Angelos Deltsidis (Department of Horticulture)
Co-advised in our lab
Research: Investigating the Potential of Oxygenated Water as Replacement of Chlorinated Water for Peach Sanitation during Hydrocooling.
orestis.g@uga.edu

Selvin Carrillo Ramos
PhD Student
Research: Enhancing peach orchard management practices in Georgia: Rootstock-scion nutrient dynamics, root characterization, and foliar nutrition.
scarril@uga.edu

Caitlin McCann
MS Student
Research: Development and utilization of KASP markers for P. persica genetic diversity studies.
cm14162@uga.edu

Katherine Hewitt
PhD Student
Research: High density peach training systems in Georgia
Katherine.Hewitt1@uga.edu

Robert Beck

Research Professional
reb78@uga.edu

Hannah Elliott
MS Student – Completed 2023
Main advisor Dr. Rachel A. Itle (Department of Horticulture)
Co-advised in our lab
Research: Cold hardiness in Blueberries with focus on Freeze Protection Strategies using Nanocellulose.
Hannah.Elliott@uga.edu

Deanna Bigio
MS Student – Completed 2023
Co-advised with Dr. Rachel A. Itle (Horticulture Department)
Research: Cold Hardiness in Peaches with focus on Freeze Protection Strategies Using Nanocellulose.
deanna.bigio@uga.edu Current: Extension Agent – Horticulture Wake County  – NCSU

Jamal Mohammed
PhD Student – Completed 2023
Main advisor Dr. Rachel A. Itle (Department of Horticulture)
Co-advised in our lab
Research: Blueberry Flavor Profile and Consumer Perceptions.
Current: PostDoc USDA – New Orleans jamal.mohammed@uga.edu

Srijana Thapa Magar
PostDoc – Completed 2023 PhD Student – Completed 2023
Research: SmartIrrigation Peach App for Irrigation Scheduling in Georgia. Current: Faculty member at Kentucky State University st45674@uga.edu

Sakshi Pathania
MS – Completed 2021
Research: Study of the Genetic Diversity and Morphological Characteristics of Ecuadorian Capuli (Prunus serotina subsp. capuli).

Bruno Casamali
PhD – Completed 2019
Research: Irrigation and Fertilization Practices for Young Peach Trees in the Southeastern United States.
Current: Scientist, Horticulture at Pairwise Plants, Durham, NC.
bcasamali@uga.edu

Mary Sutton
MS – Completed 2019
Main advisor Dr. Anish Malladi (Department of Horticulture).
Co-advised in our lab
Research: Peach Fruit Thinning Management in Georgia.
Current: PhD student at the University of Florida.
mary.sutton@ufl.edu

Jun Liu
MS – Completed 2017 Research: Revisiting Critical Freezing Bud Temperature of Peaches in Georgia Former: PhD student at University of Georgia (working with Dr. van Iersel) – Completed 2022
Current: PostDoc at Texas A&M jun.liu26@uga.edu

Catherine Belisle
MS – Completed 2017
Co-advised with Dr. Koushik Adhikari (Food Science Department)
Research: Peach Quality Analysis Using Sensory and Instrumental Evaluations.
Former: PhD student at University of Florida – Completed 2021 Current: Research Support Specialist – Cornell Maple Program
cbelisle1@ufl.edu

Luis Monserrate
MS – Program ended [May 2018] Co-advised with Dr. Anish Malladi (Department of Horticulture)
Research: Peach fruit shape and size genetics.
Former: MS student at the University of Florida – Completed 2021
Current: PhD student at Cornell University

John Whitehurst
Research Technician
john.whitehurst@uga.edu