Project

Innovative initiatives for citrus revival.

Florida is the largest orange producing state in the United States, contributing over 70% of the country’s citrus. Recently, an unprecedented disease threat known as Citrus Greening Disease has devastated Florida’s agricultural industry leading to 92% yield losses. Due to this threat, Florida citrus production has dropped from 242 million boxes to merely 15 million boxes over the last few decades. With no current cure, this project aimed to restore Florida Citrus and foster agricultural sustainability through 3 main approaches:

To address the lack of sustainable solutions for Citrus Greening Disease, I developed a biological treatment using Murraya koenigii (curry leaf) extract, a plant in the same family as citrus that renders the disease vector non-infective.

Over 300+ hours of lab research, including methanol extraction, steam distillation, and formulation standardization, led to a novel, eco-friendly bactericide.
Field trials with the USDA Grove-First program and evaluations using qPCR, chlorophyll content, disease severity, and NDVI/NDRE vegetation indices demonstrated:
- 65% eradication efficacy
- 95% improvement in plant vigor
- 33% increase in qPCR Ct value (quantifying disease reduction)

To optimize delivery, I engineered a 3-D printed trunk injection system, enabling efficient, low-volume application directly into infected trees. This Grower-Friendly Disease Management Kit represents a sustainable alternative to chemical antibiotics, with potential broad-spectrum applications for other bacterial and fungal crop diseases.

Recognition for Research:

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF)
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair – 1st Grand Prize and Top Award for Fundamental Research
President’s Environmental Youth Award
Cornell University & University of Florida
Invention Convention U.S. Nationals – 2nd Prize and Agriculture & Environment Industry Award

Phase 1: Research & Innovation

Treatment for the disease

man in gray dress shirt holding black camera

A vibrant citrus grove showcasing healthy trees and fruits.

Man and girl tending plants in a greenhouse.

Beyond lab research, I implemented a two-year conservation and mobilization campaign:

1,500+ citrus trees planted in areas impacted by urban development and deforestation
16 tree donation events distributing over 11,000 perennial trees
Partnered with 30 growers across Polk and Hillsborough counties to deploy trunk injection kits to 642 citrus trees
Collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Citrus Research and Development Foundation, and Cornell University to empower farmers with sustainable disease management strategies

Phase 2: Hands-On Conservation and Grower Mobilization

conservation and mobilization campaign

Recognizing the need for awareness and education:

Conducted lectures to over 1,000 individuals at farmer meetings, research symposiums, and national science competitions
Authored The Story of Oranges, a children’s book sold across three countries, to raise awareness of citrus greening and promote sustainable agriculture
Serve in leadership roles:
- Co-Chair, UN Ocean Decade Youth Advisory Council
- Youth Representative, UN FAO World Food Forum
- Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador, NOAA

woman standing writing on black chalkboard

Phase 3: Environmental Advocacy and Sustainability Education

green plant on brown soil during daytime

Education and Awareness

Impact

A vibrant citrus grove showcasing healthy trees and ripe fruit.

Researchers examining citrus plants for disease resistance.

A farmer tending to citrus trees, demonstrating sustainable practices.

A close-up of freshly harvested citrus fruits ready for market.

The Reviving Citrus Initiative combines scientific innovation, hands-on conservation, and community advocacy to:

Restore Florida’s citrus industry
Promote environmentally sustainable disease management
Empower farmers and educate future generations

This work demonstrates how personal connection, scientific innovation, and community leadership can intersect to address critical agricultural challenges, ensuring the revival of Florida’s citrus groves and the sustainability of its agricultural heritage.

Project Presentation:

https://app.biorender.com/illustrations/6604734ef894b4797025abff?slideId=1cdb9ed5-3224-48df-9d20-ed9c44c56b72

The Reviving Citrus Initiative not only serves as an avenue to save Florida’s agricultural heritage, but also a hallmark of environmental sustainability in agriculture worldwide. My research on a novel treatment for Citrus Greening can be utilized as a potential broad-spectrum alternative to chemical pesticides to treat a variety of agricultural diseases. My community-oriented initiative for hands-on conservation and farmer’s sustainability education inspires combatting agricultural challenges through environmentally friendly solutions.