Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Nathan Stacey, 2018-2022, Postdoctoral Researcher
Projects: Biochar as a feedstock for compost, manure management, and soil amendment; Cover crops for large-scale organic onion production in Washington’s Columbia Basin; Evaluating recycled water for vegetable production and contaminants of emerging concern.
Publications: Stacey, N., T. Tea, S. Seefeldt, A. Bary, and D.P. Collins. 2024. Biochar-poultry manure compost alters temperature and nitrogen dynamics during composting and improves potato growth following field application. Compost Science and Utilization. DOI:10.1080/1065657X.2024.2366795
Currently: Small Farms Extension Specialist & Soil Scientist, Assistant Professor (Practice) at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
From: Saint Louis, MO
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Graduate Students
Justin Maltry, MS in Soils, 2023
Thesis: Utilizing summer cover crops to reduce soil compaction.
Publications: Maltry, J., G. LaHue, A. Jayakaran, D.P. Collins. Soil compaction in annual crop production: causes, impacts, and solutions. 2025. WSU Extension Publications.
Currently: Agricultural Research Technologist, WSU-Puyallup
From: Cincinnati, OH
Fun fact: I contributed to the development of the curriculum and program for the vermiculture and composting program at the Washington State Department of Corrections and Sustainability in Prisons Project.
Marc Ouye, M.S. Agriculture, 2022
Project Paper: Arsenic Soil Contamination: Farm Site Risk Assessment & Mitigation Strategies for Small Farmers Growing on Former Sugarcane & Pineapple Lands in Hawaii
Ryan Tarbell, M.S. Agriculture, 2019
Thesis: The influence of tillage on vetch cover crop decomposition, N availability, and broccoli yield in organic reduced tillage agriculture.
David Sullivan, 2017, MS in Soils
Thesis: Cover crop-based strip tillage for organic vegetable production in the Pacific Northwest
Publications: Sullivan D. and D.P. Collins. 2018. Reduced tillage in organic vegetable production. WSU Extension Video.
Currently: Managing Scientist at Valley Irrigation (Spokane Washington)
From: Little Rock, AR
Fun fact: I use soil moisture sensors to schedule irrigation in my raised garden beds.
LinkedIn
Bethany Wolters, M.S. Soils, 2015
Thesis: Greenhouse gas emissions in reduced tillage organic vegetables.
Undergraduate Researchers with Independent Projects
Thida Tea, Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates Fellow, 2019
WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, Pullman, WA 2019: Biochar influences compost temperature and available nitrogen.
Publications: Stacey, N., T. Tea, S. Seefeldt, A. Bary, and D.P. Collins. 2024. Biochar-poultry manure compost alters temperature and nitrogen dynamics during composting and improves potato growth following field application. Compost Science and Utilization. DOI:10.1080/1065657X.2024.2366795
Currently: Pretreatment Technician at Pierce County
From: Puyallup, WA
Naomi DuBois, 2018
WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Poster, Pullman, WA 2019: Increasing corn yield through tillage and cover crop management.
Taylor Enns, 2018
WSU Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium, Pullman, WA 2018: Soil quality improvements with biochar and compost
Tuong Vu, 2017
WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Poster, Pullman, WA 2017: Soil nitrate quick test to optimize nitrogen management on organic farms.
Toby Una, 2017
Western Washington University, Huxley College of the Environment, Internship, 2017: Tillage effects on soil mesofauna.
Currently: Vice President, Enumclaw Plateau Community Association (EPCA) and Strategic Team Member, Defend Cumberland, a committee of EPCA.
From: Enumclaw, WA
Fun fact: I love making quilts from secondhand textiles
Holly Lane, 2015
WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Poster, Pullman, WA 2016: The effect of reduced tillage on soil moisture, temperature, and light intensity in organic vegetable systems.
From: Auburn, WA
Fun fact: I’ve been to Spain four times and it’s my dream to one day be fluent in Spanish.
Instagram: @hollyylane www.hollylane.realtor
Katrina McCann, Soil Science Society of America Golden Opportunities Scholar Undergraduate Program, 2011
Soil Science Society of America, San Antonio TX, 2011: Estimating long-term compost application effects on active soil carbon with 24-hour basal respiration.
Soil Ecology Society Bi-Annual Meeting, Kelowna, British Columbia, 2011: Variation in soil collembolan populations and microbial biomass on western Washington organic farms.
Lab and Field Technicians
Fiona Ashton-Knochel, 2024-2025
Currently: Managing chemical hazardous waste, Port of Tacoma.
From: Utah
Fun fact: I enjoy chemistry because I am constantly surprised and always learning.
Amy Wagner, 2024-2025
Aidan Touriel, 2025
Currently: Full-time student at WSU
Fun fact: I have 10 pets! 6 chickens, 3 cats, and 1 dog!
Katrina Lester, 2025
Daviti Vardishvili, 2023
Jayden Kang, 2023
Rebekah Lee, 2022
Currently: BEACON Fellow, WA
From: Tacoma, WA
Fun fact: I love linguistics and attempt to speak 4 languages!
LinkedIn
Julianne Kellogg, 2017
Kyle Brown, 2016
Emma Davis, 2016