VSU students claim top places for research posters and presentations
The 1890 Association of Research Directors (ARD) Biennial Research Symposium in New Orleans showcased the very best of Virginia State University (VSU)’s College of Agriculture, with award-winning student research, innovation, and mentorship on display. From oral presentations to the AgTech Hack-a-thon and data competition, the VSU delegation proudly demonstrated the many ways in which Greater Grows here.
The college’s success at the ARD Symposium reflects a broad team effort of research, Extension, academics, leadership and administration. Preparations for the event were long in the making, and the team’s hard work shone through professional-looking posters, engaging displays and fine-tuned oral presentations. VSU’s interactive display featuring hologram messages from COA students and leaders, along with bold research priorities, generated significant buzz at the symposium. Faculty and students presented research orally, and, notably, two VSU students earned top honors for their posters and oral presentations.
Ms. Nasya Bugg, mentored by VSU’s Extension specialist for plant and soil science, Dr. Zelalem Mersha, earned 1st place in the undergraduate competitive oral presentation for her presentation on tomato damping-off caused by a specific oomycete pathogen, and 2nd place in the poster presentation category for her research into the role of Integrated Pest Management and pollinator flower strips in supporting pollinators and other beneficial insects in agriculture. Bugg is a freshman in the COA, majoring in plant and soil science. “She is a bright, motivated and highly dependable student who carries out her responsibilities with integrity,” says Mersha. “I’m impressed by the effort she put in before her presentations, at times working until 2:00 am to strengthen her content and refine her talking points.” Bugg’s pollinator research has significant outreach potential at VSU’s Randolph Farm, where hundreds of visitors in 2025 appreciated flower strips, frequent visitors, including native bees and beetles, and monarch butterflies.
Extension specialist for sustainable and urban agriculture, Dr. Leonard Githinji’s student, Ms. Jayla Vega, earned 3rd place in the Undergraduate Poster Competition for her work on home-based soil-testing kits. Existing soil testing procedures are time consuming, as they typically require sending soil samples to labs for analysis. Home-based soil testing kits can simplify the process and make soil testing more affordable and accessible to small and urban growers. “The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a home-based soil test kit that focuses on soil pH and the three primary nutrients needed by plants in significant quantities for growth and productivity: nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus,” explains Githinji. Vega’s study demonstrated that these kits provide reliable results compared to conventional soil lab testing, offering promising applications to save time and resources for urban farmers. Githinji further shared, “I was very impressed with Jayla Vega’s inquisitiveness about science… I can’t forget her excitement when she analyzed the first set of soil data by herself and was so eager to show me the results.” He added that her enthusiasm carried through to the symposium, where she actively demonstrated the soil test kit and engaged others in discussion.
These student achievements contributed to VSU earning 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place finishes at the symposium, reflecting VSU Extension’s commitment to research-based solutions to modern problems facing Virginians. Together, the VSU delegation at the symposium displayed Trojan pride, excellence and innovation across an inspiring and memorable event.
Related Links