Sollum Technologies and Indoor Ag-Con announce recipients of Sollum Student Scholarship

Indoor Ag-Con and Sollum Technologies have announced the recipients of the inaugural Sollum Student Scholarship to Indoor Ag-Con: Erica Hernandez and Brandan Shur.

These two Ph.D. students, both conducting research in controlled environment agriculture, will receive an all-expenses-paid opportunity to attend the March 11-12, 2025, edition of Indoor Ag-Con at the Westgate Las Vegas.

Sponsored by Sollum Technologies, this scholarship program is designed to support the next generation of researchers and innovators by providing hands-on exposure to industry advancements, networking opportunities and educational sessions at the largest conference and trade show for indoor and greenhouse farming.

Brandan Shur is a first-year Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech in Dr. Michael Evans’ CEA Innovation Lab, where he is focused on developing innovative crops for hydroponic greenhouse and indoor farms. His research explores how electrical conductivity levels, salt types and nutrient solutions influence micro-dwarf tomato flavor and yield, aiming to bridge the gap between CEA and high-quality fruit production.

Erica Hernandez is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biology with a focus on plant-microbe interactions at Portland State University. The host plant she is studying is lupin, and she’s growing her research plants in several on-campus greenhouses rather than pursuing strictly field studies. Her objective is to identify bacteria that may potentially be useful in mitigating the effects of climate change.

“We are thrilled to welcome Erica and Brandan to Indoor Ag-Con 2025,” said Brian Sullivan, CEO of Indoor Ag-Con. “Their work in CEA research is impressive, and we hope this experience provides valuable insights, connections and inspiration for their future careers.”

Jenny Zammit, vice president of marketing at Sollum Technologies, added, “At Sollum Technologies, we are deeply committed to fostering the next generation of agricultural innovators. Erica and Brandan’s research represents the kind of forward-thinking science that will drive the future of controlled environment agriculture. We are proud to support their attendance at Indoor Ag-Con to engage with industry leaders and new technologies.”