Navdeep Godara, PhD (PI)

Dr. Godara’s research and outreach program focuses on practical weed management challenges in turfgrass and forage systems, with an emphasis on weed biology and ecology, precision weed control technologies, and the development of sustainable turfgrass management practices. He earned his Ph.D. in Turfgrass Weed Science from Virginia Tech in 2025, following an M.S. in Weed Science from the University of Arkansas in 2022 and a B.S. in Agriculture from CCS Haryana Agricultural University in 2020.

Venkateswar Reddy Yelkur
(Graduate Student)

Venkateswar Reddy Yelkur is a master’s student in Crop and Soil Sciences at North Carolina State University. He earned his B.S. in Agriculture from Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, India, in 2023. Originally from India, he joined Dr. Godara’s lab in Fall 2025. His research focuses on developing effective herbicide programs for managing Bosc’s mille graines in warm-season turfgrasses and investigating how environmental factors influence the weed’s germination and establishment to improve weed management strategies.

Brooke Heikkila
(Graduate Student)

Brooke Heikkila’s research focuses on evaluating machine vision–guided spot spraying technology for weed control in golf course fairways. Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, Brooke earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Minnesota in 2023 and is currently pursuing M.S. in Crop and Soil Sciences at North Carolina State University. Brooke has also gained practical experience working at PACE Analytical Services and at Pinehurst No. 4 Golf Course.

Gram Grant (Graduate Student)

David Cox (Research Technician)

Lab Alumni (2026-present)

Yumiko Nagaoka, Research Technician (Nov 2025 – May 2026) – Currently employed with Ecorobotix Inc. as Turf Data Specialist and Project Manager