Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Integrative Plant Science

Dr. Larry Smart is a Professor in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University and is Associate Director of Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY. Larry is a plant geneticist and breeder whose lab uses genomic tools in breeding shrub willow bioenergy crops and to better understand hybrid vigor and pest and disease resistance. More recently, he has been leading Cornell’s hemp research and extension team and has initiated a long-term breeding program to develop new hemp cultivars for New York State. 

One of the nation’s leaders in CEA, Neil's research focuses on how environmental factors and cultural practices affect physiology, development, and biochemical characteristics of greenhouse crops, lighting systems, and energy efficiency. He is particularly interested in how water quality, nutrient availability, temperature, light, and abiotic stress conditions affect crop physiology. This fits well with Neil’s goal of providing producers with relevant, research-based information for the production of high quality CEA crops.

One of the nation’s leaders in viticulture, Justine's research focuses on optimizing wine grape production using computational tools, determining how ecophysiological factors affect grape flavors and aromas, and enhancing economic and environmental sustainability of winegrape production. Her holistic approach to viticulture provides students with a hands-on, immersive experience.

Ying's research focuses on understanding fundamental processes governing interactions between agroecosystems and climate at various scales. She is working with a team of researchers using NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) to more accurately measure photosynthesis – with implications for creating more reliable estimation of crop productivity and global carbon uptake in the face of increasing climate change. “Our population and food demand growing. But we only have limited land and water resources. My goal is to provide sustainable solutions to increase food productivity while reducing negative impacts on the environment. Using this novel data set and state-of-the-art modeling tools, I feel confident about being able to help solve these systemic agricultural problems.”

Toni's research focuses on gaining a more in-depth understanding of the basic biological/ecological principles governing agricultural and environmental weed population dynamics that ultimately lead to the development and implementation of safe, effective, sustainable and economically viable weed management strategies.  He is also Section Chair and Director of Graduate Studies in Soil and Crop Sciences.

Bridgen is an ornamental plant breeder, leader in the floriculture industry and director of the Long Island Horticultural Research and Extension Center. His approach involves a balance of basic and applied research. He has expertise in new plant development and breeding, plant cell and tissue culture, and in vitro plant breeding, including somaclonal and gametoclonal variation, embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, mutation breeding, meristem culture for the production of pathogen free plants, and micropropagation. 

Dr. Carlyn Buckler is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science, and is the faculty lead for the Hemp Sciences Concentration. She teaches courses on digital technologies in agriculture and skills for public engagement, as well as the overview course for the concentration, Cannabis: Biology, Society and Industry (PLSCI 4190). Carlyn chairs the college’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and serves on the SIPS Diversity and Inclusion Council. She is a member of the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture (CIDA) and is also the Advisor and Faculty Mentor for the Cornell SMART group (Student Marijuana Alliance for Research and Transparency).

Melissa got hands-on experience working with the Cornell Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic assessing a new ring test developed by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to detect of Phytophthora ramorum. View her capstone project, Ring Test for Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of Phytophthora ramorum.

Margaux built her portfolio, added to her knowledge base and made connections at Cornell that helped her take on more responsibility along with higher pay due to her MPS degree.

Stresow created a seed catalog based on reviews from Cornell's Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners (VVfG) website.  View Stephen's project, Vegetable Varieties for NY Gardeners Seed Catalog.

Homa developed a diagnostic guide for nutritional deficiencies in hemp by purposefully withholding nutrients from hemp plants she grew in a deep water hydroponic system in our greenhouses. View Homa's project, What Nutrient Disorder do my Hemp Plants Have? A Diagnostic Guide.

Bailee took her love of gardening to Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, VA as a Horticulturist in the Biocultural Conservation Farm onsite.

“I enjoyed the ability to craft a program based on my interests and needs.” View Ryan's project, A Guide To Home Hydroponics For Leafy Greens.

“I think controlled environmental agriculture is amazing because it has the ability to create small oases in otherwise inhospitable areas. My goal is to use my MPS degree to make farming more sustainable and to shift our perception of how food can be grown to feed our changing world." View Charles's project, The effects of daily light integral on the growth and development of hydroponically grown baby leaf vegetables.

"The CALS MPS program allowed me to customize a program to meet my unique goals."

"I am passionate about education first and foremost because I believe it leads to a society that is more informed and more responsible to the environment and fellow humans."

“I have been able to tune my project and schedule to courses that will help me in my career goals, and I value that flexibility." View John's project, The Effects of Light Spectra on the Growth and Development of Greenhouse CBD Hemp.

Barbara was over 50 when she got her BS and then MPS.  Then she went on to start her own sustainable landscape design business.

The Cornell MPS program helped Stephanie laser focus on her next endeavor: to pursue another master's and doctorate to empower disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas.

Erin's MPS degree led to her hire as executive director of Ithaca Children’s Garden.