2024 Graduate Student Exhibit Award Winning Exhibit
By Kushal Naharki, Graduate Research Assistant,
Division of Plant and Soil Science, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural
Resource and Design
WVU Downtown Library Graduate Commons, September 2024-May 2025
Panel Discussion: November 20, 2024, 4pm, Downtown Library Room 136
Invasive species are a major threat to agriculture and forest ecosystems, causing
over $120 billion in economic losses annually in the United States. These
species often invade hard-to-reach areas, making it difficult for humans
to manage them. This is where advanced technology like drones comes in handy.
Kushal Naharki's exhibit showcases innovative methods using drones with
optical sensors to detect invasive species. The exhibit features images
captured by various optical sensors, showing how they help identify invasive
plants. It also highlights the precise deployment of natural enemy insects
to control these plant populations. The exhibit informs and inspires viewers
about sustainable management practices using modern drone technologies to
foster a deeper understanding of aerial surveillance and biological control
methods.
The panel discussion will be about the innovative use of drones in agriculture
and forestry.