Urban Agriculture Contacts
Urban / CEA AG Team
The Urban Agriculture / Controlled Environment Agriculture Research team is comprised of strong, diverse individuals who bring both personal and professional subject matter expertise in lab and farm research.
Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana
theoneste.nzaramyima@kysu.edu
Assistant Professor for Urban Agriculture / Controlled Environment Agriculture
[Principal Investigator]
Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana is an assistant Professor for Urban Agriculture at Kentucky State University. His research interests are in developing programming to identify and provide solutions for farmers and professionals to impact the global food system. Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana specializes in urban farming and youth programs, small farms, Extension/Engagement methods and community development, controlled agriculture environments, experiential methods and integrated evaluation of STEM learning in informal and formal programs.
Cora Teets
cora.teets1@kysu.edu
Research & Extension Associate for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
[Farm Manager, Research Associate, & Extension Agent]
Cora Teets is a Research & Extension Associate for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems at Kentucky State University. She was born in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and raised in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. She has a bachelor's in agriculture, food, and environment with an emphasis on human health and nutrition from Kentucky State University. She also has a master’s in human nutrition and food systems from the University of Kentucky. She has a deep connection to raising plants and animals, as she was raised on a small farm and has worked on local farms for most of her life. She dedicates her career to agriculture and food systems research and hopes to contribute new ideas in the urban agricultural sector. Her dream is to help create an efficient food system for communities to thrive and for the environment to prosper.
Dr. Hattie Makumbe
hattie.makumbe@kysu.edu
Postdoctoral Research Associate for Urban Agriculture
[Lab Manager]
Dr. Hattie Hope Makumbe is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Urban Agriculture at Kentucky State University, where she brings a wealth of expertise in Biochemistry, Food Technology, and Sustainable Agriculture. She holds a Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and a Master's degree in Food Technology from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Her research interests are conducting cutting edge lab research involving plant physiological processes such as nutrient assimilation and stress responses, which drive crop growth. By integrating biochemistry techniques with urban farming systems, her research aims to bridge the gap between laboratory science and real-world applications in urban food production. With her academic background and interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Hattie is uniquely positioned to address the complex challenges in urban agriculture.
Dr. Adekunle Adeyeye
adekunle.adeyeye@kysu.edu
Research Associate for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
[Farm Manager & Research Associate]
I am Adekunle Olaoluwa Adeyeye, a Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University, currently pursuing a master’s degree in environmental studies. I hail from Ekiti State, Nigeria, known as the "Land of Honor and Integrity. " This treasure trove of natural beauty, academic excellence, and cultural heritage is in southwest Nigeria. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Yoruba heartland, Ekiti is renowned for its lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and rich agricultural landscape. I hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), Abeokuta, Nigeria, where I developed a strong foundation in scientific inquiry through my undergraduate thesis on Parasitology and Public health. My research at KYSU focuses on the "Effect of Selenium Fertilization on Carotenoid and Glucosinolate Accumulation in Two Varieties of Cress Grown Hydroponically." With this research, I aim to optimize the use of selenium to enhance the phytonutrient content of leafy vegetables, a crucial step in improving dietary nutrition and addressing public health challenges. This Innovative research, combined with practical solutions, will create scalable models for nutrient-dense food production that address global food security challenges while promoting healthier communities.
Richard Kabanda
richard.kabanda@kysu.edu
Graduate Research Assistant
[Assistant Lab Manager & Farm Technician]
Mr. Richard Kabanda is a dedicated graduate student and Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University's College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology from the University of Rwanda and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University - Portland (USA). Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Studies. Richard brings a wealth of experience from his diverse professional background. He has previously served as a high school teacher, social worker, and school principal. He has also held various leadership and administrative roles in higher education, specifically at Africa College of Theology and the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture. His responsibilities have spanned academic support, student affairs, instruction, and executive support, equipping him with a well-rounded skill set in both educational and administrative functions. He is passionate about bridging scientific knowledge with leadership skills to drive meaningful impact in educational settings and the broader community.
Alex Kofi
alex.kofi@kysu.edu
Graduate Research Assistant
[Assistant Farm Manager]
Alex Kofi was born in Agormanya, a small town in Odumase-Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana, which is one one-hour drive from Accra, the capital of Ghana. He is a student and a Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University under Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana's tutelage (an Urban Agriculture professor). Global food insecurity issues have aroused his interest to study BSc—Natural Resources Management at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi-Ghana where he majored in Agroforestry to collaborate with like-minded colleagues and researchers to develop novel solutions to tackle the issues of global food insecurity to produce enough food to feed the growing global population. Pursuing my future career as a lecturer, He was employed as a teacher at Tamale Senior High School with the Ghana Education Service from 2018 to 2023. He is growing a strong interest in controlled environment agriculture; an area he believes can help increase global food production with less environmental harm.
Nia Ragland
nia.ragland@kysu.edu
Graduate Research Assistant
[Assistant Media Leader & Farm Technician]
Nia Ragland is a dedicated graduate research assistant from Columbus, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Studies with a concentration in Food and Environment from Kentucky State University. During her undergraduate studies, Nia gained valuable experience working as an assistant with the university's Urban Agriculture team, which inspired her to further her education at Kentucky State University. She is passionate about food security and community empowerment, Nia aspires to develop an agricultural curriculum tailored for public school systems. Her goal is to equip young adults with practical agricultural skills while fostering stronger ties between schools and their surrounding communities.
Eric Murwanashyaka
eric.murwanashyaka@kysu.edu
Graduate Research Assistant
[Farm Technician & Media Photographer]
Eric Murwanashyaka is a graduate student at Kentucky State University. He was born and raised in an urban area in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. In 2022, he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from EARTH University in Costa Rica, where he discovered his interest in soil science and completed an internship in Canada focusing on soil fertility research. His research in soil science emphasizes how farmers can improve nutrient use efficiency in crops and increase soil carbon pools, highlighting the importance of these practices for sustainable agriculture. After graduation, Eric further pursued his passion for soil science and sustainable agricultural practices at the Rwanda Institute of Conservation Agriculture (RICA), where he works as a research and teaching assistant. Currently he is dedicated to Soil less and controlled environment agriculture, ideally using artificial LED light to increase the phytonutrients in microgreen vegetables.
Marie Merci Uwimbabazi
mariemerci.uwimbabaz@kysu.edu
Graduate Research Assistant
[Lab Technician & Media Assistant]
Marie Merci Uwimbabazi is a Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University, pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Studies. She was born and raised in Rwanda, East Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Agriculture from the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (rica.rw), an institution based on hands-on experiential learning and research. With a specialization in Crop Production Systems, she developed a strong interest in horticultural production. She completed an internship at a commercial horticultural farm (kinvestpartners.com) as an Assistant Farm Manager, where she served as the lead for the community kitchen gardens program and farm extension, providing knowledge on sustainable practices including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Conservation Agriculture. During her academic journey, Marie also served as a Teaching Assistant at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, where she coordinated field and laboratory research experiments in Precision Agriculture and Crop Production courses. Currently she is doing research with focus on artificial lighting in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), aiming to contribute to crop production maximization and climate change mitigation for sustainable food systems and global food security.
Germaine AkezaNkunzurwanda
germaine.akezankunzu@kysu.edu
Graduate Research Assistant
[Lab Technician & Media Assistant]
Ms. Germaine Akeza Nkunzurwanda is a graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University, pursuing a master’s in environmental studies. Born and raised in a densely populated Country; Rwanda, from a family of subsistence farmers whose farming experience instilled in her the principles of hard work and highlighted the importance of caring for the land, preserving the environment, and guaranteeing food security as everyone’s responsibilities. Academically, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Agriculture from Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture. Growing up in urban areas with rapid increase in population growth has sparked her research interest in developing eco-friendly urban agricultural schemes that will address global challenges and be a sustainable solution for farmers and professionals to impact the global food system. As she plans to advance her education, she carries the dream of a future where sustainable agriculture drives positive global change, and she aspires to contribute to feeding the world without harming the environment.
Kwabena Sarpong
Undergraduate Research Assistant
[Lab Technician & Media Assistant]
Faustin Mukunzi
Graduate Research Assistant
[Farm Technician]
Faustin Mukunzi is a graduate student in environmental sciences at Kentucky State University. Originally from eastern Rwanda, he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences from EARTH University in Costa Rica in 2023. He did his professional internship at Auburn University, Alabama focused on controlled environment agriculture, providing hands-on experience in aquaponics, hydroponics, rooftop farming, and freight farming. Faustin also worked as a research scholar at the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred during 2024 and part of 2025, before beginning his graduate studies at KSU in fall 2025.
Megrael Ngudia
Undergraduate Research Assistant
[Lab Technician & Farm Technician]
Jaiya McCargo
Summer Intern Undergraduate Research Assistant
[Farm Technician & Media Assistant]
Sandrine Umutesi
Graduate Research Assistant
[Produce Safety Officer & Farm Technician]
Ms. Sandrine Umutesi is a graduate student in Environmental Studies at Kentucky State University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Conservation Agriculture from RICA in 2024. Her work focuses on food safety, and she gained hands-on laboratory experience as a Food Safety Intern at the Rwanda Standards Board. She is currently exploring Controlled Environment Agriculture to contribute to safer and more sustainable food systems, with the vision of ensuring that people consume safe and nutritious food.
Olivier Musangwa Shema
Graduate Research Assistant
[Farm Technician]
Mr. Olivier Musangwa Shema is a Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University's College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with emphasis in Zoology and Conservation from the National University of Rwanda. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Studies with an interest in urban agriculture, especially controlled environment. His research interest coupled with many years of experience in administrative duties in humanitarian settings, will be a cornerstone in addressing the rising issue of food insecurity globally by integrating innovative farming technics in urban life while sustaining our environment for future generations.
Sephora Affoue Yao
Undergraduate Research Assistant
[Lab Technician & Farm Technician & Media Assistant]
Loyce Ana Bubara
Graduate Research Assistant
[Business & Research Assistant]
Ms. Loyce Bubara is a Graduate Research Assistant at Kentucky State University. She was born in Luanda, Angola, and raised in Windhoek, Namibia, where she grew up in an agricultural community that inspired her love for nature and sparked a lifelong passion for farming. Surrounded by the daily realities of rural life, she developed a strong interest in agriculture and agribusiness, seeing firsthand the potential of farming to improve livelihoods and strengthen communities.Loyce holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the Namibian University of Science and Technology and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Kentucky State University. She is dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture and agribusiness by supporting urban farming initiatives, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating food systems that allow both people and the environment to thrive. Her work focuses on helping farmers and community members improve food security, expand opportunities, and adopt innovative practices for a more resilient agricultural future.
Alecia Daniels
Summer Intern Undergraduate Research Assistant
[Farm Technician & Media Assistant]
Summer Intern Undergraduate Research Assistant
[Farm Technician & Media Assistant]