SDSU doctoral student earns scholarship, presents research at international conference

Story by Kay Norton

Subash Thapa, a doctoral student in the South Dakota State University Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science, has distinguished himself with several recent recognitions for his research and academic achievements.

Thapa was awarded third place in a poster contest at the CANVAS annual meeting held in Salt Lake City, Utah. This conference, a collaboration of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Agronomic Science Foundation, is billed as an opportunity where crop, agronomic, environmental and soil sciences connect and inspire change to impact scientific advancement. Thapa presented his work on using artificial intelligence to evaluate Fusarium head blight and Fusarium damaged kernels in wheat, a cutting-edge innovation in plant science.

Thapa also has been selected as the runner-up recipient of the Roger Kruger Scholarship, sponsored by the Seed Science Foundation. In his notification letter, scholarship organizers noted Thapa’s “exemplary” application and interview. He will be mentored next year by the external engagement strategy lead at Bayer Crop Science and is now eligible to participate in the 2026 Student Connections program hosted by the American Seed Trade Association at its leadership summit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Thapa said he was “deeply honored” for both the scholarship and poster presentation recognitions. “I am also grateful to have recently received the Gerald O. Mott Meritorious Graduate Student Award in Crop Science, along with the 2025 Corteva Travel Scholarship to attend the Texas A&M Plant Breeding Symposium. These recognitions motivate me to continue striving for excellence in both my research and professional growth.”

Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science professor Sunish Kumar Sehgal said his student’s work ethic and academic gifts have positioned him well for success. “Subash is an exceptionally fast learner with a remarkable drive to push beyond his limits. His greatest strength lies in his ability to integrate knowledge across disciplines, effectively bridging plant pathology, plant breeding and AI-assisted phenotyping.

“He approaches challenges with curiosity and confidence, consistently exploring new technologies and methodologies to solve complex problems in plant breeding,” Sehgal added. “Subash’s dedication to developing and characterizing disease-resistant germplasm, coupled with his advancement of AI-enabled precise screening techniques, has allowed him to grow rapidly into an outstanding researcher.”

Thapa, from Chitwan, Bagmati Province, Nepal, grew up in a “farming family whose values and experiences deeply shaped my passion for agriculture and crop improvement.” That early experience helped prepare him for his experience at SDSU.

“I am especially grateful to my adviser, Dr. Sunish Sehgal, whose mentorship has been instrumental in shaping who I am today. His guidance, high expectations and constant encouragement have pushed me to think critically, pursue impactful research and continually strive for excellence,” Thapa said. “The opportunities he has provided from multilocation field nurseries to high-throughput phenotyping studies have profoundly influenced my development and aspirations as a researcher.”

Thapa believes the opportunities he has had at SDSU have enabled and affirmed his growth.

“SDSU has played a transformative role in my academic journey by providing a supportive and rigorous research environment that has strengthened my scientific foundation and confidence,” Thapa said. “The university’s emphasis on hands-on learning, innovation and collaborative research has allowed me to grow as an independent and motivated scientist.”