The Department of Statistics wishes congratulations to Kate Hu for her work in developing the Ohio Regional Carbohydrate Health And Research Database (ORCHARD): Climate-Resilient Apple Production Through Physiological Monitoring. 

The project serves as Ohio's first real-time tree carbohydrate monitoring network transforms climate-adaptive orchard management through precision agriculture. By providing apple growers physiological data to optimize crop loads and frost protection, ORCHARD strengthens rural agricultural livelihoods while reducing environmental inputs—demonstrating transdisciplinary approaches to building healthy, resilient communities under climate variability.

Assistant Professor Hu worked with many departments to develop the research for this project, including Jonathan Fresnedo Ramirez, Associate Professor, HCS; Diane D Miller, Associate Professor, HCS; Joseph Scheerens, Professor, HCS; Joy Rumble, Associate Professor, ACEL; and Kris Read, Staff, CFAES Web Services. Interested in reading more on Hu's work? Click here. 

Congratulations to the 2026 Grant Winners!