Three National Horticultural Honors Cap Standout Year for Kentucky State Graduate Student

Godswill Ujah receives emerging-scholar and travel awards and places third in research competition

Kentucky State University graduate student Godswill Ujah returned from one of the nation’s leading horticultural science conferences with three honors and growing recognition for his research into the genetic diversity of North American pawpaw cultivars.

Ujah received an ASHS Emerging Scholar Award, an ASHS Travel Grant Award, and third place in the Scholars Ignite 3-Minute Thesis Competition during the American Society for Horticultural Science 2026 Annual Conference, held Aug. 3-7 in Dallas, Texas.

The conference brings together researchers, scientists, industry professionals, government representatives, faculty, and students to share advances in horticulture and specialty-crop research. More than 1,100 participants from the United States and countries around the world attend the annual gathering.

Ujah, a student in Kentucky State’s master’s program in Environmental Science and Technology, studies genetic relationships among pawpaw cultivars through the University’s nationally recognized Pawpaw Research Program. Dr. Kirk Pomper, professor of horticulture and leader of the program, serves as his graduate adviser.

For the Scholars Ignite competition, Ujah had three minutes to explain his research to a broad audience. His presentation examined how DNA analysis can help researchers understand pawpaw’s “family tree,” distinguish cultivars, and preserve genetic diversity as breeders work to develop the native fruit into a commercially viable crop.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude for the guidance, feedback, and continued support I received throughout this project,” Ujah said. “Dr. Pomper’s mentorship, along with the invaluable support from Sheri Crabtree and Jeremy Lowe, made a significant difference in helping me communicate our laboratory’s research effectively on a national stage.”

The Scholars Ignite recognition adds to a growing list of accomplishments for Ujah during the past year.

In February, he earned third place in the Southern Fruit Workers Group “3 Minute Thesis” competition during the Southern Region ASHS annual meeting in Louisville. His presentation, “New Fruit, Old Mistakes: Avoiding the Banana Trap with DNA Fingerprinting for Pawpaw,” explored how protecting genetic diversity can help the emerging pawpaw industry avoid the vulnerabilities created when a crop depends too heavily on a narrow genetic base.

Ujah also belonged to a Kentucky State team that captured first place in the 2025 Global Agriculture & Agribusiness Case Study Competition. The team proposed a digital system for verifying the origin, handling, and quality of U.S. soybeans, helping producers respond to increasing demand for greater supply-chain traceability and quality assurance. The award included an international travel opportunity to Brazil.

In addition, Ujah was selected for the 2026 Bayer University Mentoring Program, known as B4U. The yearlong program pairs graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with Bayer Crop Science professionals for individualized mentoring, career development, industry engagement, and networking. Ujah is participating through the program’s 1890 Horizon Chapter.

Together, the opportunities have allowed Ujah to develop as both a researcher and a science communicator while building connections across academia and the agricultural industry.

His pawpaw research focuses on genetic relationships among cultivars. Understanding those relationships can help plant breeders maintain a broad genetic base and make informed decisions as they select for fruit quality, productivity, resilience, and other desirable characteristics.

Kentucky State has maintained its pawpaw germplasm repository since 1994 and conducts research in genetics, breeding, cultivation, postharvest handling, and other areas supporting the fruit’s continued development. That work has established the University as an international leader in research involving North America’s largest native edible tree fruit.

“From solving pawpaw’s family-tree mystery with DNA tools to connecting with incredible scientists, it was an unforgettable week,” Ujah said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Kentucky State University and our Pawpaw Research Program.”

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