Musser Foundation awards first-ever H. Burton Musser Masters Scholarship to Elisabeth Kitchin
The Musser International Turfgrass Research Foundation chose Elisabeth Kitchin as the inaugural recipient of the H. Burton Musser Masters Scholarship.
“We established this new $5,000 scholarship to identify up-and-coming turf graduate students who have the potential to become tomorrow’s scientists and educators,” said Frank Dobie, president of Musser. “Kitchin is exactly the kind of excellent student and individual we had in mind.”
Kitchin received her Bachelor of Science in agroecology and sustainable food systems from North Carolina State University, where she was introduced to the turfgrass industry while working under Jim Kerns, Ph.D. She received her Master of Science in plant pathology, physiology and weed science from Virginia Tech under David McCall, Ph.D., and Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Her research has focused on precision turfgrass management, including using machine learning for pest detection, targeted pesticide applications and soil moisture sensors and modeling to improve irrigation decision making. Kitchin is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in plant pathology, physiology and weed science at Virginia Tech under McCall.
“I am unbelievably honored to receive the Musser Masters Scholarship,” said Kitchin. “I could not have achieved this without the incredible support of my parents, Kyle and Helena, my sisters, Emma and Eden, and my incredible friends and colleagues. The most gratifying part of the turfgrass industry is the incredible company I keep, and I am so grateful to each of my mentors, colleagues and friends for supporting me along the way.”
The criteria for selecting award recipients include a minimum 3.4 GPA in the final two years of undergraduate study, current enrollment in a master’s program or completion in the current year and research objectives relevant to turf science and management.
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