2:04 p.m., June 10, 2010----Three University of Delaware graduate students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources -- Laura Nemec, master's student in animal science; Zachary Ladin, master's student in entomology and wildlife ecology; and Meredith Biedryczki, doctoral student in plant science -- have been awarded the William J. Benton Graduate Student Award.

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The award was established in honor of William J. Benton, former CANR associate dean of research and professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences.

The award goes to graduate students who are heavily involved in research at CANR, and the recipients are given a plaque and $500.

Laura Nemec

Nemec said she was shocked to find out she had won the award for her work at the UD Dairy Farm, having been nominated by her adviser, Tanya Gressley, assistant professor of animal science.

When the farm's dairy manager was unable to work last year due to an injury, Nemec said she stepped in to help run the farm. She said her job included bringing the cows off the field when they were about to give birth and taking care of the newborn calves.

“The dairy staff doesn't have a lot of people, so if I can help out -- I mean, I love going,” she said.

Nemec said she also tests the milk for bacteria and finds proper treatments for affected cows.

“I made a milking protocol to be able to have a step-by-step [guide to] how we should milk, and all the pre-treatments before the milk is drawn and all the post-treatments to keep the udders clean and to keep everybody healthy,” she said.

Nemec said her thesis and a manuscript for the lactation trials she conducted with the cows will both be published within the next few months.

She said her thesis was confidential throughout the application process due to a research contract, so she was skeptical that anything would come from her nomination

“I just did my job,” Nemec said. “My professor called me up and told me I got it. It was a little shock moment.”

Meredith Biedrzycki

Biedrzycki said she was nominated for the award by her adviser, Harsh Bais, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences, for her work studying root secretions -- chemicals secreted by plant roots into the soil that allow plants to communicate with other plants and insects in their environment.

“I am investigating the role of root secretions in plants' ability to recognize related plants and I am also looking to determine genes that are involved in this process and root secretions in general,” Biedrzycki said.

She said she is currently finishing her research and dissertation, and plans to graduate with her doctorate in plant science within the next year.

Biedrzycki said she owes her success to the faculty at the CANR.

“I feel very honored for being chosen for this award, and very grateful for the support of my adviser and my department,” she said.

Zachary Ladin

Ladin said he received the award for his research on wintering Atlantic Brant geese. He also worked as a teaching assistant in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology this past year, as part of his career goal to teach as a college professor.

Ladin said he uses different avenues to promote sustainable living, including writing and performing environmental children's music.

“I am an active participant in Newark's community working towards sustainability and promoting education for people who are trying to live greener,” he said.

Ladin recently began his doctoral work at UD studying breeding songbirds. He is currently working with the National Parks Service in Washington, D.C., to study breeding bird communities in national parks.

“The entomology and wildlife ecology department at UD is so rewarding to be a part of,” he said. “It's a very unique and family-like department where graduate students are incredibly supported.”

Ladin said he is honored to receive the award and proud of the work that he and his adviser, Chris Williams, assistant professor of wildlife ecology, have accomplished this year.

“I am grateful for all the opportunities I've had throughout my life that have helped shape my worldview and pointed me towards a career where I can make a positive impact on people around me,” he said.

Article by Chelsea Caltuna