Electromagnetic sensing in vineyards

Fresno State Viticulture and Enology Research Winery tour

Agrivoltaics

Whitney Cheatwood is a graduate student in the Viticulture and Enology Department at California State University, Fresno. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Viticulture from Fresno State in 2025 and currently works as a Graduate Research Assistant while assisting with departmental laboratory operations. Under the guidance of Dr. Sonet Van Zyl, Whitney has contributed to multiple research projects and is currently conducting her master's research on color enhancement in Rubired grapevines. Her work focuses on evaluating the effects of plant-derived biostimulants applied at specific phenological stages to increase anthocyanin accumulation and berry pigmentation while monitoring vine performance and fruit quality. Following the completion of her data collection in Fall 2027, Whitney plans to defend her thesis and graduate with a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology in Spring 2028.

Dr. Rita Abi-Ghanem is a soil science expert with extensive experience in research, development, and education focused on soil health and sustainable agriculture. Her career spans leadership roles in industry, academic teaching, and international collaborations.
Leadership in soil science R&D: Dr. Abi-Ghanem manages technical strategy and research programs at Omnia Specialties Inc., overseeing product innovation in humic substances, soil health, and plant nutrition through multidisciplinary approaches and global partnerships.
Academic and advisory roles: She teaches soil science courses at Allan Hancock College and has held leadership positions in various scientific committees and advisory boards.
International research and training contributions: Her work included research and participation in global agricultural workshops and receiving a Fulbright Scholarship for disease modeling research in potatoes.

Dr. Sun is an Associate Professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at Fresno State. Dr. Sun teaches a range of wine-related courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her research focuses on wine production technologies, the effect of viticultural practices on grape and wine quality, and innovation and entrepreneurship with in the wine industry.

Vianh Pham is an incoming sophomore with the Smittcamp Family Honors College. She is majoring in Biology with a minor in Gerontology, aspiring to pursue a career in the medical field. Vianh was born and raised in Fresno, California and hopes to learn more about local farmers, viticulture, and enology through research at Fresno State.

Ann Jang is an incoming senior studying Chemistry with a minor in Enology at Fresno State. Through her coursework and research experiences, she has developed a strong interest in the intersection of chemistry and enology, particularly the role chemistry plays in wine quality and production. She looks forward to applying her knowledge in analytical techniques in the wine industry and continue exploring the science behind winemaking. 

Dr. Yiliang Cheng is an Assistant Professor of Enology in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at California State University, Fresno. Her research focuses on sustainable vineyard and winery practices, wine chemistry, sensory evaluation, and predictive modeling for grape and wine production. Current projects include evaluating thyme-based biofungicides, alternative acidification strategies, and machine learning approaches to understand environmental impacts on grape and wine quality. She collaborates with industry partners to develop practical, science-based solutions for California grape growers and winemakers.