At the Delaware Indoor Ag Lab (DIAL), we study how to grow high-value specialty crops more efficiently and sustainably in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). Our work spans leafy greens, culinary herbs, microgreens, fruiting crops, and floriculture plants.

We focus on environmental plant physiology—understanding how factors like light, carbon dioxide, temperature, and nutrient solutions affect plant growth, photosynthesis, morphology, nutrition, and overall quality.

Our research uses state-of-the-art tools, including color-tunable LED lighting and growth chambers for indoor experiments, to optimize resource use. By strategically managing energy, water, and nutrients based on plant responses, we aim to improve both the efficiency and value of controlled-environment crop production.

Optimizing horticultural lighting

• Using color-tunable LED systems to study how dynamic light spectra and quantities affect plant growth, quality, nutrient uptake, and/or flowering in leafy greens, herbs, and floriculture crops.

Example: Meng, Q. and Severin, S.N., 2024. Continuous light can promote growth of baby greens over diurnal light under a high daily light integral. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 220, p.105695.

Studying plant-environment interactions

• Understanding how to co-optimize factors like CO₂, light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient supply for improved resource-use efficiency in CEA applications (e.g., indoor vertical farming and space crop production).

Example: Kennebeck, E.J. and Meng, Q., 2024. Far-red light and nitrogen concentration elicit crop-specific responses in baby greens under superelevated CO₂ and continuous light. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 149(2), pp.92-98.

Using biostimulants to address nutrient issues

• Investigating novel chemical biostimulants to mitigate nutrient deficiencies (e.g., lettuce tipburn caused by calcium deficiency) and enhance plant resilience and productivity in greenhouse and indoor conditions.

Example: Biradar, K. and Meng, Q., 2024. Nutrient solution application of a calcium-mobilizing biostimulant mitigates tipburn without decreasing biomass of greenhouse hydroponic lettuce. HortScience, 59(1), pp.92-98.

Joining the Delaware Indoor Ag Lab (DIAL) means becoming part of a supportive, research-driven team working on real-world challenges in controlled-environment agriculture.

As a M.S. or Ph.D. graduate student here, you will:

• Receive full funding through research assistantships (stipend + tuition + majority health insurance coverage) supported by our funding agencies including USDA, FFAR, and NASA.

• Work hands-on with advanced controlled-environment systems, including LED lighting, hydroponics, photosynthesis instruments, and sensor technologies.

• Develop skills in experimental design, data analysis and visualization, scientific writing, and presentations.

• Collaborate with industry and academic partners on applied research projects.

• Build your network and visibility through presentations at national conferences (e.g., ASHS, NCERA-101) and opportunities for publication.

We value intellectual horsepower (commitment, drive, and curiosity)*, collaboration, and professional growth—our goal is to help you launch a successful career in academia, industry, or beyond.

*Source: Drs. Bruce Bugbee and Royal Heins (2023, personal communication).

We are recruiting highly motivated M.S. and Ph.D. students with required CEA research experience to join the Delaware Indoor Ag Lab (DIAL) at the University of Delaware starting in Spring (preferred), Summer, or Fall 2026.

Required qualifications:

• Demonstrated research experience in CEA, such as indoor vertical farming, greenhouse crop production, or soilless culture

• Publication(s) and other clear evidence of scientific writing and presentation skills are strongly desired

• Background in photobiology, hydroponics, biostimulants, environmental plant physiology, or related areas

Research areas include:

• Photobiological and environmental influences under LED lighting

• Hydroponic nutrient solution management

• Biostimulant application to address nutrient disorders in CEA

• Spectral effects on plant diseases in CEA

These projects focus on specialty crops grown in indoor vertical farms and greenhouses and are funded by agencies including USDA and FFAR.

How to apply:

Email Dr. Qingwu Meng (PI) with the following:

• A brief statement on your fit for the position (strengths, research experience, and preferred start date)

• A current CV

Only candidates meeting these criteria will be shortlisted and contacted.

Our students consistently achieve recognition for their research excellence at collegiate and national conferences and competitions. Recent highlights include:

UD Ranks #1 in Awards at 2025 American Society for Horticultural Science Conference

At the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) 2025 Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA (July 28–August 1), the University of Delaware's (UD) Delaware Indoor Ag Lab (DIAL) led all institutions with six national awards, earning UD the #1 spot in the nation. Student winners included:

• Harkirat Kaur Mashiana (MS student) – 1st place, Scholars Ignite Competition; 1st place, Controlled Environment Graduate Student Oral Competition

• David Haule (MS student) – 3rd place, Scholars Ignite Competition

• Sarah Ding (recent Plant Science graduate) – 2nd place, Undergraduate Poster Competition

• Talia McCann (recent Plant Science graduate) – 3rd place, Undergraduate Poster Competition

• Moein Moosavi-Nezhad (PhD candidate at NC State; recent DIAL intern) – 2nd place, Controlled Environment Graduate Student Oral Competition, recognized for collaborative research at UD

UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition

• Harkirat Kaur Mashiana (MS student) – 1st place, Master's Presentation; People's Choice, Master's Presentation

• David Haule (MS student) – Finalist, Master's Presentation

We celebrate our students’ accomplishments and are proud to support their professional growth.