Devin A. Rippner, PhD

I am a research viticulture soil scientist with the USDA-ARS in Prosser Washington. My work focuses on the role of soil management on grape quality and vineyard sustainability. I focus on improving soil health in vineyard systems by developing practices to reduce erosion, improve water capture, and protect soil carbon.

Previously I was a post-doctoral researcher with the USDA-ARS-Crops Pathology and Genetics Research unit in Davis CA where I developed a work flow for using deep learning to analyze X-ray µCT data. Prior to working with the USDA, I was a post-doctoral scholar at UC Davis studying how biochar alters composting processes and how microbial seed coating can improve phosphorus uptake by soybean. I received my PhD in Soils in Biogeochemistry at UC Davis studying the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on plant and soil health and my MS in Crop and Soil Science at Virginia Tech studying organic phosphorus transport after manure application. Prior to my master’s degree, I worked as a research technician helping quantify phosphorus capture from poultry operations using steel slag at the University of Maryland and was a Peace Corps volunteer working with small holder farmer’s in Malawi. I completed my BS in Environmental Science at UC Riverside where I assisted with research on soil nitrate transport after using dairy lagoon water for crop irrigation.

Affiliate Scientist

Elizabeth Gillispie, PhD

I am a senior scientific assistant with Washington State University working as the vineyard manager at the Washington State Soil Health Initiative Long Term Agricultural Research and Extension Vineyard. This project is a partnership between USDA and WSU. Previously, I was a Soil, Vineyard, and Cellar Scientist at Badger Mountain Vineyard and Powers Winery. Additionally I help positions as a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant at the Pacific Northwest National Lab. My PhD work in the Polizzotto Lab at North Carolina State University focused on Developing geochemical models for predicting arsenic pollution potential of well water.

My current research looks at phosphorus availability for plant uptake in the alkaline vineyard soils of the Pacific Northwest and the influence of vineyard management practices on soil health and grape quality.

Staff

Post Doctoral Scholars

Collins Wakholi, PhD

I am a Post Doctoral Scholar with the USDA-ARS Viticulture Soils Lab, located in Prosser, Washington. Previously, I…

Lab Alumni

Brandon Peterson, BS

I am a Biological Sciences Technician with the USDA-ARS Viticulture Soils Lab, located in Prosser, Washington. Previously, I was a Biological Sciences Technician with the USDA-ARS in Akron, CO. In Akron my work focused on quantifying a variety of soil bio-physical-chemical components including pH, EC, microbial biomass, POM, POX-C, ammonium, nitrate, and volumetric water content.

In my current role I am quantifying similar properties in vineyard soil systems.

Katherine East, PhD

I am a Research Plant Pathologist with the USDA-ARS Viticulture Soils Lab, located in Prosser, Washington. Previously, I was the Viticulture Specialist for Michigan State University Extension in southwest Michigan. My PhD work in the Moyer Viticulture Extension lab at Washington State University focused on integrated pest management of root-knot nematodes in wine grapes in Eastern Washington, evaluating chemical and cultural management tools in concert with nematode biology.

My current research looks at the interaction of plant-pathogenic nematodes and vineyard soils in the Pacific Northwest, and the impact soils have on nematode success.

Now working with the Soil Health Institute.