Kelly Barnett, graduate student in plant sciences, recently received the 2012 Outstanding Graduate Student Award from the Southern Weed Science Society. In 2011 and 2012 Barnett ran the table on awards at the Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS) and Beltwide Cotton contests. In 2012 she was awarded 1st place over all at the SWSS weed contest, 1st place in the SWSS PhD graduate student poster contest, 1st place Ph.D graduate student paper contest at the Beltwide cotton conference, and 1st place in the SWSS PhD graduate student paper contest.
Barnett has six refereed publications, four of which as the lead author, and another two in review. She also has 17 abstracts and proceedings to her credit. Finally, she has written 18 extension FACT sheets or blog pieces.
Barnett has not let her graduate studies, research and extension responsibilities distract her from doing public service. She has been a member and chair of several graduate committees in the NCWSS and SWSS. She is currently the 2012 President of the Graduate Student SWSS organization.
She recently defended her dissertation, entitled “Glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) biology, competition and control in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum),” and she graduated in December 2012 with her Ph.D.