From left to right: top: Maya, Bernard, Trever, and Suzanne. Bottom: Abby, Maddie, Owen, Joanne

Suzanne M. Fleishman, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Root Biology

In January 2024 Suzanne joined the Penn State Plant Science department as an Assistant Professor of Root Biology. Suzanne’s research integrates ecology, plant physiology, and omics to clarify the role of root systems in sustainable agriculture. Suzanne studied environmental science at UNC and worked as a program coordinator at a non-profit in North Carolina prior to attending Penn State for a MS Horticulture (2018) and PhD Ecology (2022). In 2023 she was a postdoc with the USDA Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit. When she’s not hanging out with plants, she’s trail running, cooking, or crocheting. 

Learn more about Dr. Suzanne Fleishman and how to contact her on her faculty profile here.

Maya Gabor

PhD Student: Ecology

B.A. – Carleton College, 2024

Maya is a first year PhD student in the Ecology program. She is originally from Rhode Island and moved to State College from Minnesota where she earned a BA in Geology at Carleton College. Her research focuses on how root traits of forage species affect soil health at depths of up to 1 meter.  

Joanne Kim

M.S. Student: Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences

B.S. – Penn State University, 2024

Prior to entering academia, Joanne obtained 5+ years of industry experience at public gardens, Longwood and Chanticleer gardens. She graduated from Penn State with a B.S in Plant Science-Horticulture and is in progress with her MS graduate degree in the Root Agroecology lab, advised by Dr. Suzanne Fleishman. Currently, her research is focused on improving high-density apple orchard management by measuring functional root traits related to nutrient uptake for dwarfing rootstocks. 

Abigail Oswald

M.S. Student: Agricultural and Environmental Plant Sciences (co-advised with Dr. Krishna Kumar)

B.S. – University of California, Davis, 2025

Abigail is a first year M.S. student co-advised between Dr. Krishna Kumar’s Tree Fruit Physiology Lab and the Root Agroecology Lab. Her current research focused on tree row cover crops in apple and peach orchards. She focuses on root behavior, weed competition and soil health impacts. Other experiences include research in almond orchard cover crops and prescribed fire behavior in California. She also managed the vegetable crop production at UC Davis’s student farm for the past four years.

 

Bernard Scheuerman

Research Technologist

B.S. – SUNY Plattsburgh, 2024

Bernard joined the lab in May 2025 as a research technologist to support various research projects. He received a BS in Biology from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2024. Prior to returning to school, he worked as an umpire for independent professional and college baseball leagues and still has a strong interest in a variety of sports.

Undergraduate Researchers

Lab Alumni

Dr. Hayden Bock – Postdoctoral Scholar & Fellow (2024-2025)

Hayden studies the ecology of managed landscapes, with a focus on urban greenspaces (e.g. public parks, residential lawns, or ornamental beds). As a postdoc in the lab he researched the impact of mowing, a common management practice, on root traits and soil biogeochemical cycling. Hayden continues to collaborate with the lab as an Asst. Professor of Sustainable Landscapes at Penn State (https://plantscience.psu.edu/directory/hwb5138).

Undergraduate researchers

• Maggie VanDyke (Summer 2024)
• Emma Zaff (Summer 2024)

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