Student Spotlight: Devin Radosevich
This December, Devin Radosevich will complete his Ph.D. in Entomology at Iowa State University’s Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology (PPEM). His research takes a fresh look at the future of corn production, by examining how insect pests interact with a new innovation in agriculture: short-stature corn.
Research with Real-World Impact
Radosevich’s work explores whether insect pests behave differently in short-stature corn compared to traditional tall corn. “I am studying insect pest interactions with short-stature corn in an attempt to compare them to how insects interact with tall corn,” he explains. “A major aspect of my research is to determine how management of these insect pests may change when short-stature corn is adopted.”
The question is timely. Short-stature hybrids are being developed and promoted by seed companies because of their resistance to lodging, or falling over, which is a growing concern in the face of stronger winds and more frequent severe weather events. “We currently do not know much about how insect pests will interact with short-stature corn,” Radosevich says. “It will be important to see how their interactions change in order to proactively improve pest management efforts in short-stature corn.”
Curiosity and Discovery
Radosevich admits one of the most rewarding parts of his research has been finding differences between tall and short corn. “Whenever we do find a difference between short-stature corn and tall corn, it is interesting to think about how these differences arise and what could be driving them,” he says.
For him, the work is not just about solving pest problems, but also about learning more about the intricacies of agriculture. “I was interested in learning more about agriculture and food production and being involved in innovations that are happening in that field,” he reflects.
Benefiting Farmers and the Seed Industry
At the heart of his work is a desire to help those who grow and develop crops. “Farmers and seed companies mostly” will benefit from this research, Radosevich says. His work could also contribute to broader sustainability goals by helping agriculture adapt to climate change. “Due to the lodging resistance in short-stature corn, wider adoption of this corn hybrid could help improve yields in the face of issues related to climate change and more frequent severe weather events.”
Growth Through Research
Radosevich credits the PPEM community and his Ph.D. committee, especially his major professor, Dr. Aaron Gassmann, for shaping his research journey. “Everyone on my PhD committee has been very helpful and provided very valuable feedback,” he notes. “Other graduate students in my lab and within the PPEM department have been a pleasure to get to know and have made the graduate experience much better.”
His time in graduate school has also expanded his view of agriculture. “I did not realize how many different aspects there are that make up agriculture,” he says. “I have been seeing a lot related to sustainable agriculture, digital ag, genetic engineering, and using weather data recently.” Along the way, he has sharpened skills in communication, experimental design, data analysis, and project management, all of which will serve him well in his career.
Looking Ahead
After graduation, Radosevich sees himself working in the agricultural industry, particularly as a field scientist or in research and development. His Ph.D. experience, he says, “gave me the tools and experience to work in an entirely new field that I had little to no experience in before starting the program.”
If given the chance to continue this line of research, he would like to see it grow alongside the adoption of short-stature corn. “To continue developing short-stature corn and improving upon the hybrids for more productive and sustainable agriculture” is his long-term vision.
Beyond the Lab
When he’s not working with insects or analyzing crop data, Radosevich enjoys hiking, tennis, board games, and video games. One of his favorite memories from the program was traveling to Kyoto, Japan, in August 2024 for the International Congress of Entomology. And while research opportunities drew him to PPEM, Iowa State’s setting played a role as well: “The beautiful university campus and the research opportunities” made Ames the right fit.
As he prepares to graduate, Radosevich looks forward to applying his expertise to challenges facing modern agriculture. “I’m curious to see how farmers feel about using short corn,” he says. “And I’m excited to see where further research with short-stature corn will go.”