The 2025 CFAES Undergraduate Research Forum and Poster Competition was held on Thursday, April 10th at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. The event showcased presentations from undergraduate, graduate, and professional researchers across CFAES, along with a keynote from Dr. Marcela Hernandez on the importance of research mentorship. Her message resonated strongly with our lab's values and the relationships we continue to foster between mentors and mentees.
This year, we are proud to celebrate a major achievement: Dr. Aline de Camargo Santos, a postdoctoral researcher in the Soil Fertility and Soil Health Lab, earned second place in the professional research poster competition. Competing against a strong field of postdoctoral scholars, Dr. de Camargo Santos’ recognition reflects the strength and impact of her work.
Her poster titled, "Crop Diversification and No-Tillage as Resilience-Promoting Management Practices: Learning from 60+ Years of Research in Ohio," focused on research from the Triplett-Van Doren No-Tillage and Crop Rotation Experiment, a groundbreaking agronomic trial established in 1962. Conducted at two Ohio sites – Wooster (silt-loam) and Hoytville (clay-loam) – this research examined how different crop rotation and tillage practices affect crop performance and resilience to extreme weather events, such as the 2024 drought and heavy spring rains as seen in recent years. The findings highlight how sustainable practices – such as increased crop diversity and no-tillage – can reduce production risks, support more stable yields, and help farms stay resilient to weather variation.
Valeria Moreira, a visiting scholar, supported the poster's development and final presentation, working closely with Dr. de Camargo Santos to ensure the data was clear, compelling, and visually strong. Her involvement reflects the collaborative spirit and commitment to mentorship that continues to shape the excellence of our lab. More information can be found in the web page of the School of Environment and Natural Resources: https://senr.osu.edu/news/resilience-promoting-management-practices-poster-recognized-0
Authors: Naiima Abdi, Aline de Camargo Santos, and Manbir Rakkar.