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Field Note

Pursuing tech-driven innovation in nutrient management: Meet Issa Diaz

Woman smiling in front of a tree.
Issa Diaz smiling in front of an apple tree. Photo by Madeline Hanscom.
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By Madeline Hanscom
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  • Animal Science
  • Agriculture
  • Field Crops

Graduate student Issa Diaz ‘28 grew up in San Luis, Comayagua, Honduras. She has always been passionate about helping farmers streamline their practices and dreamed of coming to Cornell University. Now that she has joined the Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) team in Cornell’s Department of Animal Science, she strives to fuel her passion by learning more about innovative nutrient management solutions on-farm. She hopes to use her knowledge to support farmers for years to come.    

We sat down with Diaz to learn more about her journey and what she hopes to achieve while earning her PhD.

What drove you to join Cornell CALS’ NMSP? 

I got my bachelor’s degree in agronomic engineering from Zamorano University in 2020, and then my master’s degree in soil physics at Auburn University in Alabama this past May.

I really wanted to pursue a PhD and one of the professors in my department at Auburn directed me to Dr. Quirine Ketterings and her work with soil fertility and precision agriculture. That immediately sparked my interest. I have always wanted to study at Cornell, though I once thought getting accepted here was a far-fetched dream. Yet, that discussion with that professor paved the way for me to join NMSP. 

Woman posing and smiling in front of a blow-up cow.
Issa Diaz posing with the blow-up cow at the entrance of the 2024 North American Manure Expo.

Tell us more about the variety of work you will be doing with NMSP. 

I will be working on the Cornell Agricultural Systems Testbed and Demonstration Site (CAST) for the Farm of the Future. CAST focuses on data-driven solutions for climate-smart agriculture. Researchers there are developing a networked ecosystem of technology and techniques that farmers can use to address the needs of modern farming. 

Working with CAST for my PhD program includes figuring out ways to improve and implement better manure and fertilizer nutrient management practices using advanced data and precision ag technologies, which is my main area of interest. 

A woman and man smiling together holding equipment.
Issa Diaz (left) and Erick Amaya (right) in the field, smiling together between data collection points.

This project aligns closely with my background in soil science and precision agriculture and gives me the chance to follow my passion for applying advanced tools to improve farm nutrient management. I’m thrilled to contribute to practical solutions that help farmers manage field variability more effectively. 

What are you looking forward to most when it comes to your time here?  

I want to improve my research skills and broaden my expertise in soil science and precision agriculture. I am eager to deepen my knowledge and conduct meaningful research with outcomes that farmers can apply directly to their operations. One of the most valuable experiences I anticipate is the opportunity to collaborate directly with farmers.

I hope to communicate scientific concepts clearly to students and farmers managing both small-scale and large-scale operations– and in the long term, I aim to use this knowledge to support farmers in both the United States and Latin America. 

Woman standing in a field with her hands up.
Issa Diaz in a field with her hands raised.

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