Why did you choose graduate school at IU Indianapolis?
An inspiring advisor and a rich research resource make IU Indianapolis the ideal place for me. I became acquainted with my advisor, Dr. Lixin Wang, during the Global Dryland Ecosystem Program in Senegal. His exceptional academic expertise strongly aligns with my research interests and his approachable personality and mentorship style brought me here. Also, because the city is surrounded by a rich agricultural heritage, Indianapolis is the “promise land” for me to do sustainable agriculture research. The local resources will be a huge asset for my research now and for my further career development.
What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?
My favorite academic accomplishment is gaining the wide attention and recognition of my peers. Following the publication of my first peer-reviewed paper in Field Crop Research, I received dozens of messages and comments from institutions worldwide, including universities in the EU and agricultural companies in Oregon, expressing interest in my findings. Seeing my research actively making a difference is truly exhilarating.
What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?
I enjoy the perfect blend of natural and urban living in Indy. In the summer, I can hike at Eagle Creek Park, kayak at Sugar Creek, and bike on the Monon Trail. Also, Indy offers amazing metropolitan events like the Indy 500 and Carmel Christkindlmarkt. It's thrilling to be within walking distance from campus to Pacers' home games. I was super excited about the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in Indy—it was incredible!
Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.
My research is mainly about resilience agriculture. Through meta-analysis and field observation experiments, I aim to encourage more widespread adoption of conservation agriculture practices, not only for the benefit it provides farmers but also for the Earth’s environment. Can farmers fight against the climate change? As a PhD student living in the Midwest, I may be able to provide insights from the perspective of natural solutions in agriculture. Read more about Peng’s work
I attended the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and had a poster presentation in 2022 and oral presentation in 2024 to introduce my work. I also worked together with professionals from Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, the U.S. Geological Survey, to refine my work. Moreover, I am collaborating on a project engaging with Roemke farms and Allen County Soil & Water Conservation District in Fort Wayne, to conduct field research detecting cover crops’ impacts to greenhouse gas emission, which has greatly expanded my professional network and bolstered my confidence as an early-career researcher.