By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) doctoral student Swas Kaushal is gaining global recognition for his innovative work in agriculture and technology. His research in predictive wheat breeding has earned him two major international travel awards, underscoring the importance of his contributions to crop science.
Kaushal received the Wheat Initiative Phenotyping Expert Work Group Early Career Research Travel Award to attend the European Plant Phenotyping Training School and Symposium in Bonn, Germany. He also earned the Early Career Travel Award from the National Association for Plant Breeding to present his findings in Hawaii. He was the only student from the United States selected by the Wheat Initiative for the program in Germany.
Growing up in a rural village in India, Kaushal never imagined his work would reach a global stage. Through these experiences, he learned how breeders around the world use automation, artificial intelligence, and data integration to enhance precision agriculture and improve crops such as wheat, coffee, and tropical fruits.
His Ph.D. research focuses on developing resilient, high-yielding wheat varieties by using deep transfer learning models that accurately predict grain yield across different environments and growing seasons. This approach improves data reliability and supports global food security amid climate challenges.
Kaushal is currently interning with Syngenta’s Field Crop Breeding Phenomics program, where he continues applying his predictive models in real-world breeding environments. He credits much of his success to his advisor, Dr. Sunish Sehgal, who has guided him in integrating genetics, drone technology, and machine learning into crop research.
With over ten awards earned during his Ph.D. journey, Kaushal’s achievements highlight how dedication, innovation, and persistence can bridge technology and agriculture to shape the future of global food production.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Wheat, Education