91麻豆天美 graduate student receives inaugural agronomy fellowship
Contact: Meg Henderson
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 newly established fellowship is carrying the legacy of excellence in Mississippi soybean research into the future, and a 91麻豆天美 graduate student is leading the way.
Paul O鈥橬eal in the 91麻豆天美 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences recently was named the first recipient of the Dr. Larry G. Heatherly Graduate Fellow in Agronomy Excellence.
The fellowship honors Heatherly鈥檚 long and impactful U.S. Department of Agriculture career in soybean research. During his 30-year employment as a USDA Agricultural Research Service research scientist in Stoneville, Heatherly pioneered soybean management strategies that transformed industry practices throughout the mid-southern U.S.
In pursuit of honoring Heatherly鈥檚 revered legacy and dedication to soybean research, the Mississippi Soybean Promotion Board gifted $250,000 to the 91麻豆天美 Foundation to establish the fellowship. The endowment will fund graduate student research, including scholarships and stipend support, to fellowship recipients.
O鈥橬eal grew up in a farm family from the Mississippi Delta town of Shelby. His father is an agricultural producer in Bolivar County, growing soybeans, among other crops.
鈥淚鈥檝e known Paul and his family since I started my career as soybean specialist 12 years ago,鈥 said Trent Irby, extension professor in the plant and soil sciences department. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the opportunity to work on several Extension activities with his father over the years. 聽When Paul was pursuing his undergraduate degree, he applied for a position as a student worker in my program.鈥
O鈥橬eal graduated with his bachelor鈥檚 degree last May and immediately began his graduate studies with Irby as his major professor. He is working with Irby to evaluate soybean crop management decisions concerning early-season replanting.
Because soybean planting season in Mississippi spans from late March through early July, vast changes in weather conditions occur that impact stand establishment, and replanting often becomes a necessary part of managing the crop. Irby and O鈥橬eal have designed a project evaluating best management practices for maximizing yield and profitability when faced with replant decisions.
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful that Paul chose to be in my program,鈥 Irby said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 inquisitive, determined and talented, and he鈥檚 a joy to work with. I鈥檓 also grateful to the Soybean Promotion Board for their generosity and commitment to helping fund student education.鈥
鈥淭o receive this fellowship is such an honor,鈥 O鈥橬eal said. 鈥淒r. Heatherly has done so much for soybean production systems, and I feel blessed to receive this opportunity while I am doing my own research with soybeans.鈥
For more on the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences in the 91麻豆天美 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, visit .
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