Project Leader

Dr. Ekrem Ozlu (Özlü)

Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Management Specialist

eozlu@ncsu.edu

Phone: +1 252 408 1613

Office: 131 Vernon G James Center

ResearchGate        Google Scholar

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

Alam Ramirez Reyes

Graduate (Ph.D.) Research Assistant

aramir32@ncsu.edu

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.


Jerad Carter 

Field Technician

jccarte6@ncsu.edu

Jerad started working at the Vernon James Center in January 2024 as a Field Technician. He is responsible for helping with Field and Research work as well as making sure that daily needs of the department are met while learning about Soil Sciences.

Ozlem Ustundag

Visiting Scholar

oustund@ncsu.edu

Ozlem Ustundag received her Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, completed her Master’s and Ph.D. in Soil Science in Turkey. Her expertise lies in soil chemistry and biochemistry. During her Ph.D., she focused on the use of biochar as an adsorbent and its agricultural applications. She worked as a research assistant at Namık Kemal University for four years and at Aydın Adnan Menderes University for ten years. Since July 2024, she has been a visiting researcher at the Department of Crop and Soil Science at NC State University.

Matthew Carter

Temporary Field Technician

mscarte3@ncsu.edu

Matthew has been a Temporary Field Technician in Soil Sciences at the Vernon James Center since August 2024. His responsibilities include assisting in fieldwork and farm equipment operation, conducting field sampling, and ensuring laboratory cleanliness through regular clean-up and organization. Additionally, he is involved in setting up experiments, maintaining a tidy work environment, and providing support to students as they complete their projects. Matthew also contributes to laboratory analyses of samples, enhancing the overall research efforts of the center. 

Alumni

Carlee Epting, M.S. Soil Science 2025, Temporary Technician

cepting@ncsu.edu

Abishek Muthukathan, Temporary Technician

Shardendu Singh, Research and Extension Associate

Morgan Barnes, Temporary Field Technician

Shruthy Suresh Kumar, Temporary Technician

Christopher Parker, Technician