January 20, 2026
Hi everyone, my name is Thanwalee Sooksa-nguan aka JiJY. I am originally from Thailand, where I earned my Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Suranaree University of Technology. I also completed part of my doctoral research at Cornell University, which is where my journey in the U.S. began.
I joined the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota in 2014 as a researcher in the Grossman Lab. I am interested in plant-microbe interactions in agricultural systems and generally spend most of my time working in the lab. In 2024, I coordinated an Undergraduate Research and Extension Experiences (REEU) Summer Research Program hosted by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), where I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Eric Watkins. Through that experience, I was invited to join the group in the fall of 2025. While I am still building my background in turf research, my role on the team focuses on project coordination and supporting ongoing research efforts.
I’m looking forward to becoming more involved with the team and continuing to learn more about turf science!