I am a 3rd year PhD student in Dr. Gleason’s lab at Iowa State University, majoring in Plant Pathology and co-majoring in Sustainable Agriculture. I hold a bachelors degree in agricultural science from the University of Zambia. I worked in extension as a field agronomist in Zambia for over five years before I came to Iowa State University graduate school in 2018.

My research focus is on genetic investigation of Serratia marcescens the causal organism of cucurbit yellow vine disease (CYVD), an emerging disease of cucurbits. I also look at weed control methods and pollination strategies under mesotunnel systems for sustainable management of cucurbit pests and diseases.