Kentucky State University demonstrated its national leadership in agricultural science at the 122nd Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), where faculty and students presented groundbreaking research in pawpaw domestication and urban agriculture. The University's impact was further solidified when a leading researcher received the society's highest honor.

The premier conference, attended by over 1,500 horticultural experts in New Orleans from July 28 to Aug. 1, showcased Kentucky State's multifaceted contributions to the field.

The conference's highlight was Dr. Kirk W. Pomper's induction as a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science. This lifetime achievement award represents one of horticulture's most prestigious honors, reserved for scientists whose exceptional contributions have shaped the profession. Dr. Pomper's selection to the 62nd class of Fellows recognizes his pioneering work and leadership in agricultural research.

Kentucky State University operates the world's only full-time pawpaw research program, and its team presented comprehensive studies aimed at transforming the pawpaw (Asimina triloba) from regional novelty to commercial crop.

The KSU Pawpaw Research Program team—including Dr. Pomper, Research and Extension Associate Sheri Crabtree, Horticulture Research Associate Jeremy Lowe, and graduate students Nabin Adhikari, Subas ThapaMagar, and Kshitij Shahi—addressed the fruit's key commercial challenges:

• Genetic Verification: Using DNA fingerprinting through Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers to verify parentage of new cultivars, ensuring reliable breeding programs and intended traits.
• Pollination Solutions: Research on fly and beetle pollinators (pawpaws aren't bee-pollinated) provides growers essential knowledge to improve fruit set and maximize yields.
• Extended Shelf-Life: Modified atmospheric storage research addresses the pawpaw's short shelf-life barrier, enabling wider market distribution.
• Superior Cultivars: Data on promising new selections from KSU's breeding program, including yield, fruit weight, seed-to-pulp ratio, and sugar content, represents years of development work.

Graduate students also participated in the competitive Scholars Ignite Competition, which challenges researchers to present their work's impact in three minutes with a single slide.

"Presenting at ASHS provides incredible feedback from field experts and teaches you to communicate research impact," said graduate student Subas ThapaMagar. "It makes you a better scientist."

While Kentucky State University's pawpaw research focuses on maximizing the potential of a native fruit in traditional agricultural settings, the University is simultaneously pioneering the future of indoor agriculture. The KSU Urban and Controlled Environment Agriculture Team, led by Dr. Theoneste Nzaramyimana, was the conference's only group presenting watercress and upland cress research—a distinction that underscores the University's leadership in exploring underutilized crops with exceptional nutritional potential.

The team's comprehensive research program showcases Kentucky State's commitment to hands-on learning through close collaboration between faculty, researchers, and students. Seven team members presented their individual research projects at the conference: three graduate students, one undergraduate, and three research associates. This representation demonstrates how KSU integrates students at all levels into meaningful research experiences.

The presentations covered systematic investigations into bio-fortification strategies:

• Graduate students Richard Kabanda, Germiane Akeza, and Eric Murwananasyaka presented research on magnesium fertilization effects on phytonutrient accumulation, phenolic compound accumulation, and biomass in upland cress, respectively. 
• Undergraduate researcher Megrael Ngudia contributed a study on selenium biofortification effects on beta carotene accumulation in watercress. While Sephora Yao Affoue contributed a study on magnesium fertilization effects on chlorophyll accumulation in upland cress.  
• Research associates Cora Teets and Adekunle Adeyeye presented work on selenium's impact on the accumulation of carotenoid, glucosinolates, beta carotene, and phytonutrienl accumulation in watercress.

"Horticulture production is fundamental to food security," explained Dr. Nzaramyimana.

"Watercress ranks as the most nutrient-dense leafy green according to the CDC, and both watercress and upland cress contain high levels of glucosinolates—powerful compounds with anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive benefits," he added. "By optimizing how these crops are grown in controlled environments through strategic supplementation with selenium and magnesium, we're creating a direct pathway from agricultural science to improved public health."