Sudip Kunwar
Gainesville,USA
Summary
Dedicated and goal-oriented crop scientist with a strong background in quantitative genetics, high-throughput phenotyping, crop modeling, and germplasm enhancement. Passionate about leveraging data-driven methodologies to tackle intricate challenges within the agricultural sector. Committed to making impactful contributions that enhance global food security through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant
Small grain breeding lab, University of Florida
Gainesville, Fl
08.2021 - Current
- Improve harvest index, biomass partitioning traits and yield to cope with heat- stressed conditions
- Develop and validate different prediction models using artificial intelligence algorithms combining UAV-based-sensors-fusion and genomics data
- Identify a panel of spectral wave bands associated with the traits to facilitate genotype selections based on multiple traits.
Research Assistant
Plant Physiology lab, Southwest Florida research and Education Center, University of Florida
Gainesville, Fl
01.2019 - 07.2021
- Conduct a large-scale citrus rootstock field trial for the horticultural, physiological, and histological evaluations
- Contribute to the lab’s green-house researches and in other activities including DNA extraction and PCR assays
- Collaborated with precision agriculture lab, at SWFREC, UF to accomplish a project on developing a model for citrus leaf nutrient concentration determination using UAV and machine learning.
Teaching Assistant
PLS3004C – Principle of Plant Science
- Assisted to prepare and deliver course materials
- Graded assignments and exams, provided feedback to students.
Instructor
High School Crop Science program, Shree Rajeshwari Higher Secondary School, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal
Sindhupalchowk, Nepal
12.2017 - 12.2018
- Prepared and delivered lectures for high school level’s field agronomic crops course
- Trained students to the basic agronomic field studies.
Agri-market Analyst
Prime minister agriculture modernization project, sweet orange super-zone, Sindhuli, Nepal
Sindhuli, Nepal
03.2018 - 07.2018
- Conducted agriculture market information center for the farmers
- Prepared a booklet “Superzone profile” with all the sweet orange related information of the area.
Research Assistant
Nepal Public Health Foundation, Chitwan, Nepal
Chitwan, Nepal
02.2018 - 03.2018
- Conducted surveys in agricultural farms to assess pesticides uses and its impacts on farmers’ health
- Analyzed large-scale qualitative and quantitative data.
Undergraduate research
Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal
Chitwan, Nepal
- Evaluated nutrient status in citrus nurseries’ soil
- Constructed soil fertility map with the use of GIS interpolation.
Education
Ph.D. - Plant Breeding
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL07.2025
Master of Science - Horticultural Science
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL05.2021
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Agriculture And Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal
Chitwan, Nepal12.2017
Skills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- R-studio for data carpentry, analysis, and visualization
- Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) operation
- Hyperspectral, multispectral, and thermal image processing
- Python programming for data carpentry and AI model training
- Experimental design for field and green house trials
- Scientific writing and presentation
Websites
Presentations
- Determining yield, harvest index, and associated complex biomass partitioning traits in wheat using UAV-based hyperspectral sensor and machine learning. Western Crop Science Society (WCSSA) annual meeting 2023, 06/27/2023
- Potential use of UAV-based remote sensing tools for indirect assessment of harvest index and associated complex biomass partitioning traits in wheat. AI Conference 2023, 04/18/2023
- Potential use of UAV-based remote sensing tools for indirect assessment of harvest index, biomass partitioning dynamics and associated complex traits in wheat, ASA, CSSA, SSSA annual conference 2022, 11/07/2022
- Estimation of harvest index and biomass partitioning traits in wheat using UAV-based remote sensing tools and genomics, Student Organic Seed Symposium 2022, 07/28/2022
- Evaluating citrus rootstocks for their potential for use in high-density plantings in HLB-endemic conditions, American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) annual conference 2021, 08/07/2021
- Field performances of ‘Hamlin’ orange trees grown on various diploid and tetraploid rootstocks in HLB-endemic conditions, Florida State Horticultural Society (FSHS) annual general meeting 2020, 10/19/2020
- Assessing rootstock effects on the horticultural performance of ‘Valencia’ orange trees grown commercially in HLB endemic conditions, American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) annual conference 2020, 08/10/2020
Scholarships And Awards
- William C. and Bertha M. Cornett Fellowship 2023-24, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
- National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Borlaug Scholarship, 2023
- Travel scholarship to present in annual meeting of Western Society of Crop Science in Hawaii, 2023
- Travel scholarship to present in annual symposium of Society of Organic Seed Professionals in West Virginia, 2022
- Student speaker award for oral presentation in Plant science council symposium, 2022
- Second place in the best student scientific paper publication by Florida Horticultural Science Society (FSHS), 2021
- Plant Breeding Graduate Initiative (PBGI) fellowship to pursue Ph.D. in plant breeding at UF
- Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) to pursue masters in horticultural sciences at UF
- Full merit government scholarship to pursue undergrad degree in agricultural science
Professional Affiliations And Involvement
- President, Nepalese Student Association, University of Florida, 2023-current
- Vice-president, Gator Cricket Club, University of Florida, 2023-current
- Vice-president, Gator Citrus Club, University of Florida, 2022-2023
- Treasurer, Gator Cricket Club, University of Florida, 2022-2023
- Vice-president, Plant Science Council, University of Florida, 2021-2022
- Member, ASA, CSSA, SSSA tri-society, 2021-current
- Member, American Society for Horticultural Science, 2019-2021
- Member, Florida State Horticultural Society, 2019-2021
Publications
Research article
- Field performance of ‘Valencia’ orange trees on diploid and tetraploid rootstocks in different huanglongbing-endemic growing environments, Scientia Horticulurae 309, Kunwar S., Meyering B., Grosser J., Gmitter F.G., Castle W.S., and Albrecht U., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111635
- Determining leaf nutrient concentrations in citrus trees using UAV imagery and machine learning, Precision Agric 23, Costa L., Kunwar S., Ampatzidis Y., and Albrecht U., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-021-09864-1
- Field performance of ‘Hamlin’ orange trees grown on various rootstocks in HLB-endemic conditions, HortScience, Kunwar S., Grosser J., Gmitter F., Castle W.S., and Albrecht U., 2021, https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI15550-20
- Crop diversification for improved weed management: A review, Agriculture, Sharma, G., Shrestha, S., Kunwar, S., & Tseng, T. M., 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050461
Proceeding article
- Enhancing yield efficiency and fruit quality in citrus through use of tetraploid rootstocks, Acta Hortic. 1366, Albrecht, U., Kunwar, S., Grosser, J., Gmitter, F.G. and Castle, W.S., 2023, https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1366.9
Extension article
- Rootstock effects on ‘Valencia’ and ‘Hamlin’ trees in large-scale commercial plantings, EDIS, Albrecht U, Kunwar S., and Grosser J., 2020, https://citrusindustry.net/2020/07/08/rootstock-effects-on-valencia-and-hamlin-in-large-scale-commercial-plantings/
Extracurricular Activities
- University cricket team Captain, University of Florida, 2023-current
- University cricket team captain, Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal, 2016- 2017
Timeline
Research Assistant
Small grain breeding lab, University of Florida
08.2021 - Current
Research Assistant
Plant Physiology lab, Southwest Florida research and Education Center, University of Florida
01.2019 - 07.2021
Agri-market Analyst
Prime minister agriculture modernization project, sweet orange super-zone, Sindhuli, Nepal
03.2018 - 07.2018
Research Assistant
Nepal Public Health Foundation, Chitwan, Nepal
02.2018 - 03.2018
Instructor
High School Crop Science program, Shree Rajeshwari Higher Secondary School, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal
12.2017 - 12.2018
Teaching Assistant
PLS3004C – Principle of Plant Science
Undergraduate research
Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal
Ph.D. - Plant Breeding
University of Florida
Master of Science - Horticultural Science
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
Agriculture And Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal
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