Danyang Liu, Ph.D.

Experience

• 

  University of Florida

  Aug 2014 - May 2016

  Nutrition of Horticultural Crops, for undergraduate students• Taught courses held office hours for students and organized field trips.• Prepared laboratory experiments, lectures, exams, homework, and practice problems. • Managed laboratory functions, ordered supplements, and scheduled equipment use.• Supported field work in research farms, collected soil sample, managed irrigation, fertilizers, weeding and harvest.• Maintained greenhouse and aeroponics system functions and supported greenhouse experiments.

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2015 - May 2016

  • Graduate Research Assistant

    Aug 2014 - Aug 2015
• 

  Virginia Tech

  Aug 2016 - May 2021

  • Conduct greenhouse and open field research for dissertation project.• Conducted field and high tunnel research management at research station including soil sampling, strawberry transplanting, weeding, weed identification and data collection, tissue samples for nutrient analysis, irrigation and fertigation, plant health and canopy reading, disease monitoring and predicating, harvest, fruit quality analysis (firmness, sugar content, pH, taste), data input and analysis, pruning, wild animal protection.• Conducted transplanting, harvesting and data collection at strawberry grower’s sites.• Cooperated with advisor in grant proposal writing and developing. Show less

  • Graduate Research Assistant

    May 2017 - May 2021

  • Graduate Extension Scholar

    Mar 2018 - Dec 2018

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Aug 2016 - May 2017
• 

  Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center

  May 2021 - Jul 2021

  Adjunct Faculty

  • Response for data analysis, manuscript writing, and drafting of grant proposals.• Conduct multiple activities include watering, fertilization, mowing and data collection in the field and lab.

• 

  Zordi

  Sept 2021 - Nov 2024

  -Managed commercial strawberry production in a fully automated greenhouse, focusing on optimizing yield and plant health through data-driven strategies.-Designed and executed experiments to analyze phenotypic and environmental data, utilizing R and Python for data processing and visualization.-Collaborated with engineering teams to integrate AI-driven monitoring systems, improving environmental control and operational efficiency.-Developed and implemented integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to enhance crop quality and minimize pesticide use.-Conducted training for staff on greenhouse best practices and sustainable growing techniques, fostering a culture of innovation. Show less • Conducted research plans for plant yield prediction models based on flower mappingand non-destructive observations and measurements.• Operated a USDA-certified controlled import facility and research program to evaluateinternational cultivars for potential US commercial production. Coordinated theimportation of strawberry cultivars from Korean and Japanese breeders.• Operated the propagation program to consistently produce large amount of plug plantsfor the imported cultivars and support the commercial strawberry production.• Lead the crop health and fruit quality routine program. Those works involved a seriesof sampling, data collection and analysis related to crop health conditions, and thepost-harvest test for strawberry fruits.• Created and conducted research plans for dense crop and greenhouse environmentmonitoring for the development of physiology- and AI-based models. This workinvolved a comprehensive suite of environmental and crop sensors along with dailymanual data collection. Show less

  • Site Manager

    Aug 2023 - Nov 2024

  • Plant scientist

    Sept 2021 - Oct 2024
• 

  Clemson University

  Feb 2025 - now

  Research Development Department Specialist

  • Conducted applied research on stress physiology and adaptation strategies, focusing on the effects of high nighttime temperatures on peanut and other legumes, emphasizing weed management and sustainable production practices.• Designed and implemented controlled greenhouse experiments and field trials to investigate stress responses, weed-crop interactions, and the impact of stressors on crop performance, yield, and root development.• Analyzed physiological performance, seed quality, and soil health to develop management strategies for enhancing crop tolerance and productivity.• Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to integrate weed management practices into crop ecophysiology research and applied these findings to develop practical solutions for producers.• Supervised and mentored graduate and undergraduate students, providing guidance on field research methods, data collection, and analysis related to weed science and crop physiology.• Delivered outreach programs and educational presentations to stakeholders, translating research findings into actionable strategies for improving weed control and crop management systems. Show less