2026 The Charles’ Student Research Competition

23 September 2026

Congratulations to the 2026 students selected to share their knowledge during the annual student research competition! 

The Charles’ Student Research Competition will be held on Tuesday 20 October from 10:20am – 11:45am with the winners announced during the awards banquet later that evening. Good luck to everyone! 

LIVE PRESENTATIONS: 

Anna Cleckler: Auburn University
Topic: Preliminary evaluation of early growth and branching responses of Hydrangea macrophylla to selected PGR products and application methods


Morgan O’Neill: Auburn University
Topic: A Clean Start for Hibiscus Micropropagation: A Preliminary Evaluation of Emerging Antimicrobial Agents in Tissue Culture Sterilization

Ashley Jackson: University of Florida
Topic: Understanding the Germination of Endangered Woodland Poppymallow (Callirhoe papaver)


Maria Rodriguez: University of Florida
Topic: Effects of application volume and post-treatment irrigation on the efficacy of pre-emergence herbicides


POSTERS:

Lelia Milner: Virginia Tech
Topic: Obscure mealybug pheromone lure as an IPM tactic in containerized boxwoods


Martha Vilchez: University of Florida
Topic: Developing aging protocols for sugarcane bagasse as an effective substrate component


Varun Valluvan: University of Texas at Tyler
Topic: AI-enabled Framework for Nursery Inventory Management


Clay Yokom: Virginia Tech
Topic: Exploring phytohormone application for extending container plant shelf life


Yan Zhang: University of Georgia
Topic: Pruning Effects on Thrips parvispinus for Ornamental Crops