Horticulture & Related FieldsCassandra Austin
2025 The Corliss Knapp Engle Scholarship in Horticulture
Characterizing the Physiological Response of Ripening Strawberries to Extreme Heat Events
Cassandra Austin is a Master's student in Horticulture at Michigan State University. Her graduate research explores the impact of extreme heat on the ripening process and quality of strawberries. Through a controlled environment greenhouse experiment, Cassandra will investigate how heat influences strawberry physiology and maturation. As extreme heat continues to be an issue with worsening climate change, Cassandra will grow different strawberry varieties at varying temperatures. As the fruit ripens, Cassandra will take measurements of physiological responses such as photosynthesis and respiration, as well as conduct fruit quality and flavor analysis. Cassandra's goal is to provide commercial greenhouse growers with cultivar-specific temperature recommendations for producing the best quality strawberries.
The Corliss Knapp Engle Scholarship in Horticulture
To encourage the development of research, documentation, and teaching skills in the field of horticulture.
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