OFFICERS PROFILE 

President

Madison Dahn

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As president, I am excited to lead our association through the school year as we prepare our annual symposium and many other events for our graduate students. As a previous GSA member and third year student, I have become acquainted with the association, its symposium, and our Horticulture and Crop Science department. I hope to continue to build upon what those before me have established, and improve the association for future members.

Vice President

Lydia Balogh

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I am passionate about fostering a strong, supportive graduate student community in the Horticulture Department. I am dedicated to serving my peers and ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met. My primary goal is to contribute to making our next graduate research symposium the best one yet! 

Treasurer and Fundraising Chairs

Mirai Inaoka

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I plan on maintaining an organized system to
keep track of all finances pertaining to GSA, as well as consulting necessary resources to make sure that
GSA has consistent funds available, especially so that a successful Graduate Research Symposium can be organized for the students and faculty.

Secretary

Katelyn Boyce

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As Secretary, I will work to ensure that all HCS graduate students are able to make their voices, thoughts, and ideas heard by ensuring that information, both incoming and outgoing, is available to GSA chairholders and the wider HCS graduate community. As the Wooster-based EAC student, I will reach out to our faculty and fellow HCS members in order to bridge the gap between the two communities and their respective long- and short-term goals.

HCS GSA Public Relations Chair (Wooster)

Frolence Paul Fidelis

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I will provide regular updates, showcase our impact, and encourage active engagement. Advocacy will be a central focus, as I will enthusiastically promote our group’s objectives and needs through media platforms.

HCS GSA Public Relations Chair (Columbus)

Kelly Mikhail

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A PhD candidate in Dr. David Mackey’s Lab and is co-advised by Dr. Jonathan M. Jacobs. She started her PhD after teaching high school biology for several years and realized there were very few lessons covering plant sciences outside of the most basic lessons. Her goal is to write curriculum using molecular and genetic examples of plant sciences to integrate into public education. Her research focus is understanding the fitness genes associated with metabolic assimilation and initial colonization of phytobacterium Pantoea stewartii subsp stewartii in Zea mays.

Fun Fact; She was asked to “keep” her daughter’s small tortoise, Everette, for one summer. Everette is now 50lbs and has his own winter room.

Logistics Chair

Maranda Berger

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I want to represent my peers and
help enhance our graduate program and the department. My
goal is to advocate and help our current and new graduate
students, and these leadership roles are an important way to
bridge the communication between graduate students,
faculty, and college administrators.

Executive Advisory Committee Student Representative 

Kirti Tyagi

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Hi, I’m currently pursuing my PhD under the guidance of Dr. David Mackey, focusing on molecular plant-pathogen interactions. As an Executive Advisory Committee student representative for Columbus students in the Graduate Student Association, I am committed to ensuring that all graduate students feel supported and heard. I am deeply passionate about welcoming new students and providing assistance to students from around the globe. My aim is to foster transparency between student needs and administrative decisions. I am proud to be part of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences at The Ohio State University, and I am dedicated to serving our community and contributing to its ongoing enhancement.

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Executive Advisory Committee Student Representative

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HCS Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC)- Wooster  Based

Alexandra Espinoza

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I am a PhD student in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Sciences at Ohio State University and a representative for the HCS-Wooster Graduate Student Advisory Council (GSAC). My role is to act as a link between the HCS-GSA and the GSAC at the university level, working to represent the interests of HCS graduate students within the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. My responsibilities include facilitating communication, addressing academic and professional needs, and fostering collaboration and a supportive environment among graduate students across departments.

Advisor

Regina VannHickok.1

HCS Graduate Studies Coordinator

HCS Internship Program Coordinator

Academic Program Manager, Administrator of the department’s academic program through assisting the Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies Committees.

Degrees & Credentials:

MA, Public Policy and Administration, The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)

BFA, Theater, Otterbein College (Westerville, OH)

Advisor

Dr. Jessica Cooperstone.1

Associate Professor in Horticulture and Crop Science & Food Science and Technology

Degrees & Credentials:

BS Food Science, Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

PhD Food Science & Technology, The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH)​