Marisol Berti
Primary Investigator (PI)
Originally from Chile, I am a Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University. My areas of research include forages, cover crops, and bioenergy crops for animal feed and feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products. My efforts aim to increase widespread adoption of perennial forages and cover crops in cropping systems across the Upper Midwest and Northern Great Plains, providing sustainability and resilience to these systems. My research primarily focuses on:
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alfalfa production and management (intercropping with corn, sunflower, and forage sorghum)
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cover crops integration into corn-soybean and wheat systems
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forage sorghum for bioenergy production and intercropping
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winter camelina as an intermediate oilseed crop feedstock for sustainable aviation fuels.
In my free time, I love gardening, traveling, and being with my family. My favorite part of leading this team is helping my students practice critical thinking, independence, and a love for lifelong learning.
Meet the Team
Houston Lindell
Research Specialist
I am from North Dakota and completed my bachelor's degree in Crop & Weed Science at NDSU in 2017. I spent 5.5 years at the UMN as a Small Grains Researcher before returning to NDSU as a Research Specialist in the Berti Lab. Simultaneously, I am completing my M.S. in Plant Sciences. My graduate studies involve implementing winter camelina into cropping sequences of the region. In my free time, I train for and run ultra marathons and volunteer to support youth basketball here in Fargo.
Micah Gartenberg
Research Program Coordinator
Originally from New Jersey, I completed my B.S. in Environmental Policy, Institutions, and Behavior in 2021 and my M.S. in Plant Biology in, both at Rutgers University. I managed agricultural research projects in Eastern Montana for one year before joining the Berti Lab as Research Program Coordinator. My research spans eight of the Berti Lab projects, involving camelina, alfalfa, sorghum, pea/oat intercropping, and an array of cover crop species. In my free time, I love cycling, climbing, swimming, and playing soccer with friends.
Marisol Morocho Lema
M.S. Student & Research Assistant
My research focuses on salinity tolerance in spring and winter camelina, using germination and vigor traits to identify tolerant recombinant inbred lines (RILs) I am also assessing nitrogen rates that affect impact on seed yield and carbon intensity for camelina. Growing up in my home country, Ecuador, where agriculture is central to both culture and the economy, I developed a deep appreciation for how crops sustain farming communities and shape farmers’ livelihoods. This drives my commitment to improving agriculture for farmers through research. Outside of work I enjoy sharing time with firends. My favorite aspects of this group are the collaborative and multicultural spirit of the Berti Lab, and being surrounded by genuinely supportive people makes even the most challenging research days rewarding.
Privilege Muleya
M.S. Student & Research Assistant
I am originally from Zimbabwe, and earned my B.S. in Agricultural Sciences from EARTH University, Costa Rica in 2024. I am currently a master's student and research assistant at in the Berti Lab at NDSU. My current research focuses on the establishment of prairie pollinator strips, pollinator seed mix composition, and the use of companion cropping systems to suppress weeds and improve establishment. I am passionate about sustainable agriculture and improving food security, especially in smallholder farming systems. In my free time, I enjoy communicating with farmers from my home country to share my knowledge of sustainable farming practices. I also like playing soccer, cross stitching, and listening to music.
Maria Mazala
PhD Student & Research Assistant
I am originally from Zambia and earned my B.S. in Plant Science in 2019 from the University of Zambia. I then completed my M.S. in Plant Sciences at NDSU in 2023, where I did research with the Dry Bean Breeding and Genetics Lab.
I am currently a Ph.D. student and doctoral research assistant in the Berti Lab within the Department of Plant Sciences at NDSU. My research investigates how alfalfa and sunflower interact when grown together in an intercropping system by analyzing gene expression under field conditions to ultimately improve the sustainability of cropping systems. I am passionate about integrating plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to develop crops that are productive, sustainable, and adaptable to diverse environments. My favorite part of the Berti Lab is the supportive and collaborative team spirit, which makes research both exciting and rewarding. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and spending time with my family.
Ogechukwu Igboke
PhD Student & Research Assistant
Originally from Nigeria, I am a Ph.D. student in the ECS Conservation Biology track working in Dr. Berti’s Lab. My research focuses on process modeling and advanced data analysis of agricultural cropping systems. In my work, I aim to model key biogeochemical processes in agroecosystems, including environmental impact assessment (SimaPro), carbon and nitrogen modeling (DNDC), carbon intensity analysis (GREET), and meta-analysis (CMA). With a background in chemical engineering, my research integrates expertise in biomass valorization, renewable energy generation, biotechnology, and environmental chemistry with broader plant science and field-based research. I am particularly interested in utilizing sustainable practices and design to address complex agroecosystem challenges. Outside of research, I enjoy watching soccer and engaging with new ideas. I greatly value being part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team dedicated to innovative problem-solving.
Miguel Angel Grijalba Sierra
M.S. Student & Research Assistant
I am from Colombia, and my research focuses on alfalfa in cold environments, with an emphasis on forage yield, nutritive value, and adaptation to cold stress in northern U.S. conditions. I am especially interested in this area because I enjoy doing research that can have a real impact and contribute practical knowledge to agriculture. Outside of work, I like riding my bike, going to the gym, and reading. One of my favorite parts about the Berti Lab is being able to share with people from different parts of the world and learn from them, which is why having such a diverse team is so valuable.
Rajasekharreddy Bhoomireddy
Ph.D. Student & Research Assistant
I am a Ph.D. student in Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University, originally from India. My research focuses on integrating genomics, phenotyping, and quantitative genetics to understand crop performance under salt stress, particularly salinity tolerance in Camelina sativa, using GWAS and transcriptomic approaches. My interest in this area comes from my background in plant breeding and genetics and my experience working in both field and lab-based research, where I enjoy combining data analysis with practical crop improvement. Outside of research, I enjoy playing badminton and spending time with family and friends. I especially value the collaborative and supportive environment in the Berti Lab, where everyone is willing to share knowledge and help each other.
Amatullah Shakera
Ph.D. Student & Research Assistant
Heaven Sunflower James
M.S. Student & Research Assistant
It was growing up in the vibrant suburbs south of Denver, Colorado, where I discovered my passion for all things plants and science. Life then took me to Fargo, North Dakota, where I have spent almost four years working in molecular genetics as well as abiotic stress in wheat. I am the newest member of the Berti Lab, and I am delighted and enthusiastic about working with Dr. Berti and Dr. Anderson on glucosinolate research in camelina! For me, nothing beats both the hands-on and thought-provoking experience of plant science research. I could not ask for anything more! Outside of enjoying every moment in the lab or greenhouse, you will find me getting my hands dirty in the garden, scaling rock walls, crafting, attending concerts, playing pickleball, trying random activities like horseback riding or aerials, and hunting for treasures in vintage shops. Lest I forget, my garden to table pumpkin bread!