by Lana Koepke Johnson | Agronomy and Horticulture
Katie Bathke graduated May 20 with a Bachelor of Science degree in plant biology with a minor in precision agriculture and completed the requirements of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Honors Program.
To graduate from the Honors Program, students must maintain at least a 3.5 grade-point average, complete a culminating senior project or research thesis, and fulfill other curricular requirements.
Bathke's Honor's Program research project received two awards at the 2023 Student Research Days Poster Sessions and Creative Exhibitions March 28-29. Student Research Days are sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, and the Office of Research and Economic Development.
She received the Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Undergraduate college award for her research poster “Economic and Input-Use Efficiency Impacts of Nitrogen Management Techniques in Non-Irrigated Maize Production,” She was advised by Joe Luck, associate professor in Biological Systems Engineering.
Bathke also received the Interdisciplinarity Undergraduate Honors award. She was one of five undergraduate students recognized by the University Honors Program for her research. This award recognizes an honors student researcher who made the best use of interdisciplinary approaches and/or methods.
More than 130 graduate students and 200 undergraduate students participated in these sessions in addition to a week-long celebration of student research and creative activity.
Bathke’s interest in science began at a very early age as her father, a science teacher, exposed her to science and research.
“I began doing research with him at age 12 and never looked back,” Bathke said.
She came to the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture to study plant biology knowing it would provide her the opportunity to incorporate the sciences, research and writing skills, as well as her love for plants.
“When choosing a school, I wanted somewhere that worked with plants in agricultural settings and I wanted the opportunity to do research through my undergrad,” Bathke said.
Bathke conducted undergraduate research in the Department of Plant Pathology and in Biological Systems Engineering all four years of her undergraduate degree. She worked with Luck and Gary Yuen, professor emeritus of plant pathology.
“I have immensely loved both of my experiences. It has allowed me to discover more about myself and challenged me outside the classroom,” Bathke said. “For me the goal has always been to pursue research and my advisors have helped me in this process.”
Bathke credits her advisor and mentor Christian Elowsky, assistant professor of practice of agronomy and horticulture, with helping her channel her passion for research and developing her professional career.
“Without his guidance, my UNL experience would not have been as valuable as it was,” Bathke said.
Bathke, from Dixon, Nebraska, is currently working as a research technician in Nebraska’s Biological Systems Engineering department and is pursuing a master’s degree in Agricultural Systems Technology.
