Fall 2021

Amanda Lay-Walters

By Staff

What was your degree(s) or focus?

MS of Horticulture – Strawberry production and pre-plant fertilizer.

How are you planning to use your degree?

To continue researching sustainable horticultural food crop production.

Whom do you want to thank?

  • Dr. Mark Hoffmann
  • Emma Volk and the Hoffmann Lab
  • My Committee: Dr. Michelle Schroeder-Moreno and Dr. Alex Woodley
  • Dr. Chris Gunter
  • The outstanding faculty and staff in the Department of Horticultural Science (especially Helen Kraus, Lis Meyer, and Sir Issac Lewis.

What is the best thing about studying horticulture at NC State?

The best part of being a horticulture student is the community culture. Faculty are approachable and enjoy teaching. Students are motivated to learn and make genuine connections with one another. It is the best environment to learn in.

Clubs and Activities

  • Pi Alpha Xi
  • Horticulture Science Graduate Student Association
  • Mu Beta Psi

Do you have plans for after graduation? Are you currently working?

I will be starting a PhD in Horticulture at the University of Arkansas in Jan 2022

Advisor Comments (Dr. Mark Hoffmann):

Amanda has found her passion in plant nutrition and fertilization. Her MS thesis focused on aspects of strawberry fertilization. She will continue her research on small fruit fertility as a PhD student at the University of Arkansas. Watching Amanda grow over the past years has been an absolute pleasure. She has been an integral part of the Department and a loved member of our team. She always will have a home with us. It will be exciting to see her excel at UArk in the future.