Graduate Student Success

2026 John Ingle Innovation in Plant Breeding Award

Graphic from the University of Georgia Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG) highlighting three John Ingle Innovation in Plant Breeding Award recipients for July 2026. Three portrait photos are displayed side by side with award medallions and research project titles. From left to right: Kyathi Madduro, recognized for “Integrating UAV-Based High-Throughput Phenotyping and Genomic Analysis for Zinc-Efficient Cultivar Development in Pecan”; Emily Betenivalu, recognized for “Quantifying Phytophthora capsica Progression in Peppers (Capsicum annuum) via RGB Imaging of Stem Rot”; and Sindoora Nalajala, recognized for “Identifying Genetic Control of Resistance to Phytophthora Root Rot in Blueberry.” The graphic features UGA and IPBGG branding on a red banner at the top with “July 2026” displayed in the upper-right corner.

Congratulations to Sindoora Nalajala and her fellow PBGG students Kyathi Madduro and Emily Betenivalu as recipients of the 2026 John Ingle Innovation in Plant Breeding Award from the institute of Plant breeding, Genomics and Genetics, The University of Georgia.

Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference

Sindoor Nalajala stands with a representative of the SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference as he presents her an award.

Sindoora Nalajala won first place for the Horticulture sections of the poster session at the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference held at Savannah, Georgia from January 7 to 10, 2026.

The title of her poster is ‘Polyploidy Induction of Triploid Interspecific Hybrids in Blueberries.’

UGA Plant Center Retreat 2024 – Callaway Gardens, Columbus GA

Juliet Chu, Emily Walter, and Sindoora Nalajala at the Plant Center Retreat.

Award winning day at the plant Center retreat!

Emily Walter won second place in the graduate student poster competition.  She also won the candy jar for the most accurate guessing of the number of candies in the jar. Sindoora Nalajala won the “Catch Them All Scavenger Hunt” game.

ASHS Conference 2024 – Honolulu, Hawaii

Emily Walter presenting her award- winning research at the ASHS conference in Honolulu, Hawaii September 25, 2024.

Emily Walter presenting her award- winning research at the ASHS conference in Honolulu, Hawaii September 25, 2024.

Emily Walter was awarded second place in the Plant Growth Regulation Oral Competition at the ASHS conference in Honolulu, Hawaii September 25, 2024.

Emily Walter was awarded second place in the Plant Growth Regulation Oral Competition at the ASHS conference in Honolulu, Hawaii September 25, 2024.