I’m Praveen Gajula, a PhD student in Horticulture at Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, working in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center under the supervision of Dr. Kaylee South. My research focuses on plant pathogen management in soilless systems, utilizing RNAi-based biofungicides to control gray mold in strawberries, and utilizing beneficial microbes to enhance crop productivity in strawberries, lettuce, basil, and spinach. I hold a Master’s in Agronomy from Mississippi State University, where I worked on biostimulant applications in corn and various other projects, including nitrogen-sulfur interactions for optimizing nutrient management. I also earned my Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from India.
With diverse research experiences in field trials, greenhouse management, and precision agriculture, I have worked as a junior agronomist in hydroponic farms and seed testing companies, focusing on crop nutrition, pest management, and automation systems. Additionally, I’m an FAA-certified drone pilot, skilled in UAV data collection, remote sensing, and GIS-based image analysis for monitoring crop health.
My broad research interests include CEA, hydroponics, precision agriculture, nutrient management, biocontrol strategies, and sustainable production systems. My ultimate career goal is to contribute to the growing innovation of controlled environment agriculture globally, developing advanced, data-driven, and sustainable solutions either through academics or industry that enhance food production efficiency, improve plant health, and support climate-resilient farming systems worldwide.
