People
Deirdre Griffin LaHue
(she/her)
Asst. Professor of Soil Health & Sustainable Soil Management, PI
My research and extension program focuses on the impacts of agricultural practices on soil health, microbial communities, and the functions they provide. Working across Washington’s annual and perennial crops, I like to take a systems approach to understanding dynamics of soil organic matter, biological activity, and nutrients in agriculture to help improve the resilience of cropping systems.
I received my M.S. and Ph.D. in Soils & Biogeochemistry from UC Davis, where I studied the effects of soil amendments and irrigation management on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, soil health, and system productivity and profitability. I earned my B.S. at the University of Maryland in Environmental Science and Policy where I developed my love for soils as a member of the UMD Soil Judging Team.
From: Maryland, right outside of Washington, DC
Personal interest/fun fact: Before getting into soils, I had a previous career as a ballet dancer with The Washington Ballet (in DC) and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. I still enjoy taking local ballet classes, as well as hiking and backpacking around Washington’s beautiful sites.
Faculty Profile
Google Scholar Profile
@deirdregriff
Asst. Professor of Soil Health & Sustainable Soil Management, PI
My research and extension program focuses on the impacts of agricultural practices on soil health, microbial communities, and the functions they provide. Working across Washington’s annual and perennial crops, I like to take a systems approach to understanding dynamics of soil organic matter, biological activity, and nutrients in agriculture to help improve the resilience of cropping systems.
I received my M.S. and Ph.D. in Soils & Biogeochemistry from UC Davis, where I studied the effects of soil amendments and irrigation management on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, soil health, and system productivity and profitability. I earned my B.S. at the University of Maryland in Environmental Science and Policy where I developed my love for soils as a member of the UMD Soil Judging Team.
From: Maryland, right outside of Washington, DC
Personal interest/fun fact: Before getting into soils, I had a previous career as a ballet dancer with The Washington Ballet (in DC) and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. I still enjoy taking local ballet classes, as well as hiking and backpacking around Washington’s beautiful sites.
Faculty Profile
Google Scholar Profile
@deirdregriff
Liz Myhre
(she/her)
Lead Technician
I’m the main Tech for the Soil Health and Soils and Water programs of Dr Deirdre Griffin and Dr Gabe LaHue at WSU Mt Vernon. I mostly work behind the scenes to keep Dr Griffin LaHue’s and students’ projects supplied and organized, aid students in learning procedures to complete their research, and manage timeslip workers. In addition, I organize data, field work, and data collection for the Mount Vernon site of the Long-Term Agroecological Research and Extension Site (LTARE) which is a long term, multi-site project. I received my BS and MS degrees in Entomology from WSU and have worked in the Crops & Soils Department for many years.
Personal interest/fun fact: Major hobby-Corgis and Agility
Lead Technician
I’m the main Tech for the Soil Health and Soils and Water programs of Dr Deirdre Griffin and Dr Gabe LaHue at WSU Mt Vernon. I mostly work behind the scenes to keep Dr Griffin LaHue’s and students’ projects supplied and organized, aid students in learning procedures to complete their research, and manage timeslip workers. In addition, I organize data, field work, and data collection for the Mount Vernon site of the Long-Term Agroecological Research and Extension Site (LTARE) which is a long term, multi-site project. I received my BS and MS degrees in Entomology from WSU and have worked in the Crops & Soils Department for many years.
Personal interest/fun fact: Major hobby-Corgis and Agility
Luis Reyes Rojas
(he/him)
Postdoctoral Scholar
My research centers on soil genesis and formation, with a particular focus on pedometrics, soil and ecosystem responses to climate change, carbon storage, and environmental policy. I explore the quantitative study of soils, utilizing mathematical and statistical techniques to comprehend their genesis, development, and distribution, in pursuit of more sustainable and healthier soil.
My recent research positions were at the University of Chile in remote sensing, machine learning for rock glaciers, land use/land cover, crop evapotranspiration, and soil and environmental policy in Chile. I graduated of my PhD in Soil Science in the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my investigation was in digital soil mapping and soil legacy data rescue, specifically in Chile. My undergrad and Master in Soil and Water Management were in the University of Chile, studying the impact of water and saline stress on tree crop evapotranspiration, physiology, growth, and production.
From: Curico, about 120 miles south of Santiago, Chile
Personal interest: I enjoy music and concerts. I like to play the guitar, to watch international films and read; I am a bookworm.
Postdoctoral Scholar
My research centers on soil genesis and formation, with a particular focus on pedometrics, soil and ecosystem responses to climate change, carbon storage, and environmental policy. I explore the quantitative study of soils, utilizing mathematical and statistical techniques to comprehend their genesis, development, and distribution, in pursuit of more sustainable and healthier soil.
My recent research positions were at the University of Chile in remote sensing, machine learning for rock glaciers, land use/land cover, crop evapotranspiration, and soil and environmental policy in Chile. I graduated of my PhD in Soil Science in the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and my investigation was in digital soil mapping and soil legacy data rescue, specifically in Chile. My undergrad and Master in Soil and Water Management were in the University of Chile, studying the impact of water and saline stress on tree crop evapotranspiration, physiology, growth, and production.
From: Curico, about 120 miles south of Santiago, Chile
Personal interest: I enjoy music and concerts. I like to play the guitar, to watch international films and read; I am a bookworm.
Kwabena (Kobby) Addae Sarpong
(he/him)
PhD Candidate
My research focuses on understanding how farm management practices influence soil health indicators and developing a soil assessment framework specialty crop systems soils in WA, focusing particularly on potato and pulse systems.
I received my M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering and Water Science and Management from New Mexico State University where I researched the regulatory framework surrounding produced water in New Mexico and impacts on potential uses, the short-term leachability of salts from Atriplex-derived biochar and the use of biochar as soil amendment in hybrid poplar cultivation. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
From: Kumasi, Ghana
Personal interest/fun fact: I am a huge lover of sports and luxury cars. I also enjoy playing my guitar to good country and rock music, and playing golf. I learned how to fly but not land so if you ever find yourself in a plane with me as your pilot, make sure you have your parachute ready.
PhD Candidate
My research focuses on understanding how farm management practices influence soil health indicators and developing a soil assessment framework specialty crop systems soils in WA, focusing particularly on potato and pulse systems.
I received my M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering and Water Science and Management from New Mexico State University where I researched the regulatory framework surrounding produced water in New Mexico and impacts on potential uses, the short-term leachability of salts from Atriplex-derived biochar and the use of biochar as soil amendment in hybrid poplar cultivation. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.
From: Kumasi, Ghana
Personal interest/fun fact: I am a huge lover of sports and luxury cars. I also enjoy playing my guitar to good country and rock music, and playing golf. I learned how to fly but not land so if you ever find yourself in a plane with me as your pilot, make sure you have your parachute ready.
Madeline (Maddy) Desjardins
(she/her)
PhD Candidate
My research explores how biosolids influence soil health properties and overall soil function in dryland cropping systems. My project is in Central Washington, it spans two sites and 26 years (and counting). Some of the current research being conducted is focused on how biosolids contribute to the soil carbon profile in arid dryland systems, how biosolids effect soil health in cover cropped and grazed systems, and whether biosolids can be used as a tool to improve soil health in dryland cropping systems.
I received my BA in liberal arts from St. John’s College in 2016.
From: Maui, Hawaii
Personal interest/fun fact: Before I came to the NWREC I spent several years working on small farms in Maui, Hawaii, which is where my interest in soil science began.
Social media:
Maddy’s Linkedin
PhD Candidate
My research explores how biosolids influence soil health properties and overall soil function in dryland cropping systems. My project is in Central Washington, it spans two sites and 26 years (and counting). Some of the current research being conducted is focused on how biosolids contribute to the soil carbon profile in arid dryland systems, how biosolids effect soil health in cover cropped and grazed systems, and whether biosolids can be used as a tool to improve soil health in dryland cropping systems.
I received my BA in liberal arts from St. John’s College in 2016.
From: Maui, Hawaii
Personal interest/fun fact: Before I came to the NWREC I spent several years working on small farms in Maui, Hawaii, which is where my interest in soil science began.
Social media:
Maddy’s Linkedin
Evan Domsic
(he/him)
PhD Student
My research project is looking at the relationship between soil health and nutritional quality in organic quinoa production here in Western Washington. We are particularly interested in how microbially mediated nitrogen cycles affects protein, amino acid and mineral content in quinoa seed. I am co-advised by Dr. Deirdre Griffin (NWREC’s Soil Health Lab) and Dr. Kevin Murphy (The Sustainable Seed Systems Lab).
From Santa Cruz, California
Personal interest/fun fact: I received my bachelors degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz where I studied Environmental Studies and Agroecology. Prior to coming to WSU I spent the past decade working as an organic farm hand, farm manager and agricultural educator.
PhD Student
My research project is looking at the relationship between soil health and nutritional quality in organic quinoa production here in Western Washington. We are particularly interested in how microbially mediated nitrogen cycles affects protein, amino acid and mineral content in quinoa seed. I am co-advised by Dr. Deirdre Griffin (NWREC’s Soil Health Lab) and Dr. Kevin Murphy (The Sustainable Seed Systems Lab).
From Santa Cruz, California
Personal interest/fun fact: I received my bachelors degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz where I studied Environmental Studies and Agroecology. Prior to coming to WSU I spent the past decade working as an organic farm hand, farm manager and agricultural educator.
Nayab Gull
(she/her)
PhD Student
My research compares the benefits of soil-biodegradable mulches (BDMs) to conventional Polyethylene mulch (PE) in diverse strawberry systems. Specifically, we are evaluating the biodegradability and impacts of BDMs on soil health, fruit quality and yield of strawberries in northwestern Washington with a goal of providing sustainable end of life management of mulches that also maintains soil-plant health.
I received my M.S. in Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems from China Agricultural University, Beijing, where I studied the effects of microplastics pollution in agroecosystems.
From: Punjab, Pakistan
Personal interest/fun fact: I’m a polyglot who loves photography, travelling, and exploring new places/ cultures/food. Occasionally, I enjoy baking as well!
Social media: Nayab Gull | LinkedIn
PhD Student
My research compares the benefits of soil-biodegradable mulches (BDMs) to conventional Polyethylene mulch (PE) in diverse strawberry systems. Specifically, we are evaluating the biodegradability and impacts of BDMs on soil health, fruit quality and yield of strawberries in northwestern Washington with a goal of providing sustainable end of life management of mulches that also maintains soil-plant health.
I received my M.S. in Crop Cultivation and Farming Systems from China Agricultural University, Beijing, where I studied the effects of microplastics pollution in agroecosystems.
From: Punjab, Pakistan
Personal interest/fun fact: I’m a polyglot who loves photography, travelling, and exploring new places/ cultures/food. Occasionally, I enjoy baking as well!
Social media: Nayab Gull | LinkedIn
Annah Young
(she/her)
PhD Student
My research project evaluates the soil health impacts of incorporating a buckwheat grain crop into a vegetable crop rotation in the Skagit Valley. Our research plots for this project are located at Viva Farms. I am also exploring cover crop termination timing and different methods of biomass incorporation to better understand best practices for cover crop management in our region. Additionally, I will be assessing soil health impacts of perennial grain crops.
From: Maine
Personal interest/fun fact: Before starting at WSU, I co-founded City Sprouts Farm in Bellingham, a neighborhood farm that grows mixed vegetables for a CSA and local hunger relief organizations.
PhD Student
My research project evaluates the soil health impacts of incorporating a buckwheat grain crop into a vegetable crop rotation in the Skagit Valley. Our research plots for this project are located at Viva Farms. I am also exploring cover crop termination timing and different methods of biomass incorporation to better understand best practices for cover crop management in our region. Additionally, I will be assessing soil health impacts of perennial grain crops.
From: Maine
Personal interest/fun fact: Before starting at WSU, I co-founded City Sprouts Farm in Bellingham, a neighborhood farm that grows mixed vegetables for a CSA and local hunger relief organizations.
Betsy Schacht
(she/her)
Agricultural Technician
After dipping my toes into agricultural entomology at the University of Minnesota, I was lucky enough to find my way to WSU Whatcom County Extension and Chris Benedict’s research program there. I was excited to find such diverse cropping systems, a world away from my work in the Midwest, and I’ve never looked back. My work with the Soil Health Lab began when I was able to lend a hand to Dr. Griffin Lahue when she arrived at WSU NWREC in 2019. I’ve been excited to spend part of my time working in the program ever since: I assist with and help organize a variety of field and lab tasks across different projects as needed.
From: Milwaukee, WI
Personal interest/fun fact: I love making things with my hands: ceramics is my favorite medium but I also like embroidery and I’m learning to crochet!
Agricultural Technician
After dipping my toes into agricultural entomology at the University of Minnesota, I was lucky enough to find my way to WSU Whatcom County Extension and Chris Benedict’s research program there. I was excited to find such diverse cropping systems, a world away from my work in the Midwest, and I’ve never looked back. My work with the Soil Health Lab began when I was able to lend a hand to Dr. Griffin Lahue when she arrived at WSU NWREC in 2019. I’ve been excited to spend part of my time working in the program ever since: I assist with and help organize a variety of field and lab tasks across different projects as needed.
From: Milwaukee, WI
Personal interest/fun fact: I love making things with my hands: ceramics is my favorite medium but I also like embroidery and I’m learning to crochet!
Nancy Castellanos
(she/her)
Lab Technician
I got an associate degree in biology through Skagit Valley College in 2019. In 2023 I started my undergraduate degree in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. Around this time, I also started working at the research and extension center in the soils department as a lab technician.
From: Mount Vernon, Washington
Personal interest/fun fact: My personal interests include hiking in the summer, dabbling in some art (painting, pottery, crocheting) from time to time, tending to my many plants at home, and getting lost in 1000+ piece puzzles
Lab Technician
I got an associate degree in biology through Skagit Valley College in 2019. In 2023 I started my undergraduate degree in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture. Around this time, I also started working at the research and extension center in the soils department as a lab technician.
From: Mount Vernon, Washington
Personal interest/fun fact: My personal interests include hiking in the summer, dabbling in some art (painting, pottery, crocheting) from time to time, tending to my many plants at home, and getting lost in 1000+ piece puzzles
Ed Scheenstra
(he/him)
Scientific Assistant
I completed my B.S. in Environmental Science from WSU in 1999, and then worked for Weed Science and the USDA in Pullman from 2000-2004. I then spent 10 years managing a materials testing lab in Bellingham before coming back to WSU in 2014. I have been working for the Soils Dept. for the last couple of years primarily on the LTARE and Controlled Drainage projects as well as helping out in the lab occasionally. Some of my other favorite projects I’ve worked on here at WSU NWREC include the biodegradable plastic mulch trial, as well as variety trials for growing sweet potatoes and tea in the Pacific Northwest.
Personal interest/fun fact: I enjoy photography as well as hiking and kayaking around the Anacortes area with my wife and 2 daughters.
Scientific Assistant
I completed my B.S. in Environmental Science from WSU in 1999, and then worked for Weed Science and the USDA in Pullman from 2000-2004. I then spent 10 years managing a materials testing lab in Bellingham before coming back to WSU in 2014. I have been working for the Soils Dept. for the last couple of years primarily on the LTARE and Controlled Drainage projects as well as helping out in the lab occasionally. Some of my other favorite projects I’ve worked on here at WSU NWREC include the biodegradable plastic mulch trial, as well as variety trials for growing sweet potatoes and tea in the Pacific Northwest.
Personal interest/fun fact: I enjoy photography as well as hiking and kayaking around the Anacortes area with my wife and 2 daughters.