Demetrius Ragland

Pursuing an M.S. in Crop & Soil Environmental Science (CSES); Plant Breeding & Genetics, within the School of Plant and Environmental Science at the College of Agriculture and Life Science

Black man in red suit, smiling, standing in front of white background

"What initially sparked my love for science was a science camp that I attended during elementary school, which showed me the importance of ecology and environmental health...STEM draws me in by encouraging me to utilize my creativity to address our current environmental struggles."

Demetrius is a first-year graduate student from Charlottesville, VA, and is currently working under the Small Grains Breeding Program at Virginia Tech. His research interests are developing/breeding new lines of Soft Red Wheat (SRW) for improved climate resiliency, with subsequent implications of improved grain quality, yield, and soil health during its post-harvest state. Demetrius is also passionate about growing his natural bath & body brand, furthering his modeling career, and spending time outdoors. He is confident that his presence within the Crop & Soil Environmental Science (CSES) department will become beneficial to the institution as his research career advances.

Demetrius has earned a B.S. in Crop & Soil Environmental Science (CSES); Agronomy from Virginia Tech and is currently pursuing his M.S. in Crop & Soil Environmental Science (CSES); Plant Breeding & Genetics, as a member of the School of Plant and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Life Science.