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
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