Ray Pigati
Advisor:
Agricultural Technician Supervisor April 2007 - Present
M.S. Student August 2006 - Present
B.S. Iowa State University
Hometown: La Salle, IL
As an Ag. Technician Supervisor at the Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility, Ray assists Dr. Turner, Dr. Carroll, and Dr. Dernoeden in all aspects of their research projects. He prepares research trials, maintains them according to the specifications of the research protocol and is responsible for much of the data collection. His duties also include monitoring the general health of the turfgrass at the research facility. This often requires implementation of cultural practices and the application of pesticides and fertilizers throughout the growing season according to BMP. Â In addition to this, Ray assists at the Maryland Turfgrass Council Conference and Trade show held annually and the University of Maryland Turfgrass Field Day. Ray helps Dr. Carroll in teaching the PLSC 305 Introduction to Turfgrass Management Class during the fall semester and also annually tutors the IAA Turf Bowl Team - who placed in the top 10 last year in a national competition.
As a part-time graduate student working on his research under the direction of Dr. Pete Dernoeden, Ray's research is focused on environmental and mechanical factors that affect the performance of fungicides in controlling the common turf fungus Sclerotinia homoeocarpa.
