Stephen Stresow-Cortez
He/Him
I am gay and I am a veggie loving, plant and soil scientist.//
I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, located in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert. It was here I fell in love with plants and their resilience to harsh conditions. This passion led me to start gardening, which has sprouted into a research career focused on sustainable vegetable production. Vegetables supply us with the nutrients we need to be healthy, but how do we supply vegetables with the nutrients they need? Can we support soil health and long-term sustainability at the same time? These are the questions that keep me up at night.
After earning a BS (with honors) and MPS from Cornell University, I am halfway through my PhD in the horticulture department at Michigan State University. My dissertation, “Up high, down low, too slow: agroecological nutrient management in organic vegetable production” takes a systematic approach to the complexities of nitrogen dynamics. I am passionate about research, Extension (outreach), and teaching, with the hope of working towards a just food system for all.
Outside the field, I love birding, running, hiking, fermenting things, and all things Star Wars.