Dr. Joshua Garcia (Principal Investigator), Assistant Professor

Dr. Joshua Garcia is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Life & Environmental Sciences at UC Merced. He received his BS in Biological Sciences from UC Davis and his PhD from the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. His research interests include plant-microbe interactions, urban soil health, and sustainable agroecosystem stewardship. He is also passionate about environmental education and collaborates with extension specialist, farmers, and community organizations to outreach science-based information to the public. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, and hiking.

LaMonika Dent, PhD Student (co-advised by Dr. Jay Sexton)

LaMonika graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources from Berea College in 2024 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Systems at the University of California, Merced. As part of the TARDISS (Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security) initiative, she will be working with guayule, a desert shrub that holds promise as a natural rubber source. Her research will explore the drought resilience, nutrient requirements, and phytoremediation potential of different guayule genotypes, with the goal of identifying varieties that can thrive in California’s Central Valley. Outside the lab, LaMonika can often be found roller skating and hiking nearby trails.

Victoire Soumano, PhD Student

Victoire Soumano is a PhD student in the Environmental Systems program at UC Merced. She completed her BS in Geology at Westminster University and her MS in Environmental Resource Science at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her research interests involve using organic amendments and microorganisms for bioremediation of soils contaminated by organic contaminants as well as heavy metals. She is also interested in community outreach and working with people in lean economy countries to find low cost and environmentally friendly remediation methods and management strategies to encourage sustainable agriculture. Victoire enjoys being outdoors (hiking, camping, backpacking), reading, and doing arts and crafts.