Lab alumni

(he/him)

Role with our lab: PhD in Crop Science, graduated January 2026
Current position: Senior Researcher, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

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.

Social media:
Evan’s Linkedin

(she/her)

Role with our lab: PhD in Soil Science, graduated Aug 2025
Current position: Postdoctoral Researcher, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada

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

(he/him)

Role with our lab: Postdoctoral Scholar, 2024-2025  

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.

(she/her)

Role with our lab: Agricultural Research Technician, 2023-2025
Current Position: Organic Community Food Systems Consultant for the Pacific Northwest, The Rodale Institute

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

(she/her)

Role with our lab: Postdoctoral Researcher, 2020-2023
Currently: Research Associate at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture & Natural Resources

I investigate how farming practices influence soil microbial communities. I am currently investigating biological knowledge gaps in soil health in potato systems. Prior to this position, I completed a postdoc position at the University of Wisconsin leading projects to understand whether organic farming practices uniquely influence the ag soil microbiome and tested whether microbial communities from different farms influence organic N decomposition and corn and rye growth differently. I received my PhD at the University of Colorado where I studied how N availability modifies plant species’ interactions with soil microbial communities.  
From: Montana  

Personal interest/fun fact: I paint colorful landscape paintings (see them on my website)

Social media:
@teal_soil
My website

(she/her)

Role with our lab: MS in Soil Science, graduated summer 2022
Previously: Extension Coordinator for the Washington Soil Health Initiative
Currently: Soil Health Educator, Soil Health Institute

My project focuses on developing soil health baseline values and scoring curves for wine grape vineyards in Eastern Washington and exploring relationships between soil-borne pests and soil health. Soil health has been extensively studied in the Midwest and Northeast in grain crop systems; however, information is lacking in the Western US, especially in wine grape systems.  

I received my B.S. from UW-River Falls in Crop and Soil Science, where I was a member of the soil judging team and conducted research on winter kill in alfalfa. Before graduating, I was also a student pathways intern for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service for two summers.  

From: Chippewa Falls, WI (home of Leinenkugel’s beer) 

Personal interest/fun fact: Growing up, riding horses was a huge part of my life. While I don’t have my horses here in Washington, I still enjoy being outside, hiking and backpacking, spending time at the beach, and listening to live music.  

Social media:
@mollymacncheese
LinkedIn

(she/her)

Role with our lab: MS in Soil Science, graduated summer 2021

My project focuses on the evaluating winter cover crop suitability in Skagit Valley’s potato-vegetable seed-small grain rotation. I received my B.S. from Western Washington University in Environmental Science. Prior to coming to WSU, I worked on compost and biosolids soil amendment research at University of Washington. 

From: Enumclaw, WA 

Personal interest/fun fact: I to make art. Some of my favorites include quilts, glass and precious metal clay jewelry, and most recently, masks.