Project Leader
Dr. Ekrem Ozlu (Özlü)
Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Management Specialist
Phone: +1 252 408 1613
Office: 131 Vernon G James Center
Ekrem completed his B.S. in Soil Science in the department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. He completed his M.S. in Applied Soil Physics in the department of Plant Sciences, South Dakota State University. He received his Ph.D. in Soil Physics and Management in department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked for two years as postdoctoral research associate at Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center and W. K. Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University. He joined Vernon G James Research and Extension Center, Tidewater Research Station, and department of Crop and Soil Sciences, NC State University in 2022.
Current Program Members
Carlee Epting
Graduate (M.S.) Research Assistant
Carlee is originally from West Columbia, South Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where she received her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science in 2022. Her undergraduate research was focused on micro-plastics in the Lumber River located in Pembroke, NC. Now Carlee attends North Carolina State University where she is working towards her Masters of Science in Soil Science. Carlee joined Soil Management Program in spring 2023. Her research focuses on combining conservative management practices in order to increase soil health and overall crop yield.
Alam Ramirez Reyes
Graduate (Ph.D.) Research Assistant
Alam got his B.S. in agronomy and M.S. in soil science from Iowa State University (ISU). His M.S. research focused on compaction on different landscape position. Before coming to North Carolina He was on staff at ISU and predominantly worked on how conservation tillage impacts ecosystems services (yield and greenhouse gas emissions). Alam joined Soil Management Program in Summer 2023 and currently working on soil compaction related issues in 3 different regions of NC.
Shardendu Singh
Research and Extension Associate
Dr. Singh holds a B.S. in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and an M.S. in Plant Physiology, both earned in India. He furthered his academic journey by obtaining a Ph.D. in Agronomy/Crop Physiology from Mississippi State University. As a dedicated researcher, Dr. Singh’s focus revolves around unraveling the intricate dynamics of crop responses to soil and environmental factors. His passion lies in developing innovative management approaches aimed at enhancing soil health and maximizing crop yield in a sustainable manner. Before joining the Vernon G James Research and Extension Center at the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, NC State University in January 2024, Dr. Singh gained extensive experience in agriculture landscape. He served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, and as a Research Scientist with USDA-ARS in Beltsville, MD. Additionally, Dr. Singh played a pivotal role as a lead scientist at AeroFarms in Newark, NJ, contributing significantly to advancements in agricultural technology.
Morgan Barnes
Temporarily Field Technician
Morgan is a student with an agriculture major at Beaufort Community College. She enjoys her time with Soil Management Program. She likes to spend time on the water and on the boat, and hunting and fishing.
Alumni
Shruthy Suresh Kumar, Temporarily Technician
Christopher Parker, Technician