The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture hosted the 2026 HLA Research and Design Retreat on May 14 at the J.S. Wright Forestry Center. Organized by the HLA Graduate Student Association, the annual event brought together graduate students, faculty, and staff for a day of scholarly exchange, professional development, and community building.
The retreat featured a full lineup of presentations, including PhD flash talks, M.S. and PhD oral presentations, and a poster session highlighting student research. Attendees also participated in a professional development session led by Colleen Shepherd, community outreach director at Purdue Federal Credit Union, who shared practical insights on what to consider when negotiating a job offer.
In addition to academic presentations, participants enjoyed a breakout scavenger hunt that encouraged networking and collaboration in a relaxed, outdoor setting at the forestry center.
A highlight of the day was the recognition of outstanding student research across all categories:
PhD Flash Talks
1st: Bishop Debnath
2nd: Miné van der Berg
M.S. Oral Presentations
1st: José Cabezas
2nd: Grace Lentz
PhD Oral Presentations
1st: Cristian Salinas
2nd: Freddie Mildenhall
Poster Session (Masters)
1st: Mario Muñoz
2nd: Alexandria Snabes
Poster Session (Visiting Scholar)
1st: Celeste Ortez
2nd: Nicolle Salamanca
The retreat continues to serve as an important platform for graduate students to share their research, build presentation skills, and connect with peers and faculty. Congratulations to all presenters and award recipients, and thank you to the HLA Graduate Student Association for organizing another successful event.
