MS Student
Email: bpsnell@ncsu.edu

Education:
BS - Crop & Soil Science - NC State University

Ben graduated from NC State in 2024 with a BS In Crop and Soil Science with a concentration in Turfgrass Science. The turf industry has always been in his life due to his father being the head superintendent at Treyburn Country Club. Ben spent his high school summers working at a local golf course and then spent his college summers working alongside his dad. During his senior year he worked part time for Dr. Kerns lab helping out in the lab and field. That’s when he found interest in research which led him to wanting to pursue a master's degree here at NC State University. His research will be focused on the microbe population identifying if typical turf applications have negative or positive effects on them. In addition, he will be looking at the difference between golf course and home lawn microbe populations.

Current Research Projects

Management Effects on Turfgrass Soil Microbiomes. (Benjamin Snell - M.S. student)

• Determine the effect of organic vs. synthetic management programs on turf quality in tall fescue and zoysiagrass.
• Measure fungal and bacterial biodiversity in the soil microbiome of home lawns following organic or synthetic management strategies.
• Compare fungal and bacterial biodiversity in the soil microbiome of creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass putting greens and athletic fields.