Matheus Riberio, Ph.d.
Accountability Region: Saline, Jefferson, and Gage counties
Nebraska Extension in Saline County 306 West Third, Wilber, NE 68465
Office: 402-821-2151
Matheus Ribeiro was born in Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil where he got his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agronomy. Matheus served as a professor for the Agronomy Department of Mato Grosso State University for a couple of years before working toward his PhD in Entomology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln focusing on the risk of insecticide resistance development in North Central soybean aphid populations to thiamethoxam seed treated soybean. He continued in the Entomology department (Insecticide Toxicology Lab), as a postdoctoral research associate until the end of 2017. He later worked as a staff entomologist for a start-up company called Crop Enhancement Inc., where he was actively involved with research and development of a non-conventional plant protection product. Before returning to University of Nebraska, Matheus worked as an independent consultant, coordinating, and managing contract research operations in Central and South America on projects related to pest and disease management of soybean, coffee, and tomato. Prior to his Extension Educator role. he worked as a postdoctoral research associate for the Insecticide Toxicology and Crop Protection and Cropping Systems labs, where he collaborated with several soybean gall midge, and alfalfa weevil management projects, as well as supported rearing efforts of monarch butterflies. Matheus joined Nebraska Extension in November 2023 serving Clay, Nuckolls and Thayer Counties as an Assistant Extension Educator for Water and Cropping Systems. We are now pleased to welcome him to the Saline County office where he will serve Saline, Jefferson and Gage Counties.
Ritika Lamichhane
Water & Cropping Systems Extension Educator
Accountability Region: Nemaha, Johnson, Richardson, and Pawnee counties
Nebraska Extension in Nemaha County 1824 N St, Ste 102
Auburn, NE 68305
Office: 402-274-4755
I grew up on my grandparents’ paddy farm in the flat terrains of Nepal, a Southeast Asian country. I earned my B.S. in Agriculture in 2018 from Agriculture and Forestry University in Nepal. After graduation, I worked on a project by Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, where I traveled extensively across Nepal to conduct needs assessments for several cooperatives and assist them in writing grant proposals. The real field experience opened my eyes to farmers’ challenges and the need for scientifically driven, relevant solutions. In 2021, I joined the University of Idaho to pursue my master’s degree in plant science. I worked as a research assistant at the university’s research station, focusing on nutrient management and precision agriculture for crops such as wheat, barley, corn, sugar beets, dried beans, and hops. Additionally, I participated in conducting field days and grower meetings during my time at University of Idaho, which I really enjoyed. My MS thesis project was on improving efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use in wheat and barley production by utilizing sensor-based technologies and rigorous in-season plant and soil testing. Now, as a fresh graduate, I am thrilled to apply my insights as a UNL extension educator, eager to both share and learn from local growers. I joined UNL in August 2023 as the Water & Cropping Systems Educator for Nemaha, Johnson, Pawnee, and Richardson counties, based out of Nemaha.
John Nelson, Ph.D.
Water & Cropping Systems Extension Educator
Accountability Region: Lancaster, Cass, and Otoe counties
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County 444 Cherrycreek Rd Suite A
Lincoln, NE 68528
Office: 402-441-6774 Cell: 402-413-8395
My name is John Nelson, and I joined Nebraska Extension in April 2023 as the Water & Cropping Systems Extension Educator for Lancaster, Cass, and Otoe counties. I have a diverse background in agronomy and cropping systems research and extension in several areas around the country. I grew up on a family farm in Eastern Colorado and have remained involved throughout my professional career. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Soil & Crop Science from Colorado State University, master’s degree in Crop Science from North Carolina State University, and Ph.D. in Soil & Crop Science from Texas Tech University. I worked as an Assistant Professor and Field Agronomist at the North Central Kansas Experiment fields for Kansas State University from 2010-2013. While at K-State, I conducted research and extension programming in the areas of corn and soybean irrigation management, soil fertility, cover crops, precision agriculture, and water use in dryland cropping systems. I returned full time to the family farm in 2014 and remained there until joining Nebraska Extension this spring. My areas of interest include precision agriculture, irrigation and soil water management, cover crops/soil health, pasture management, and soil fertility. I am very excited to join Nebraska Extension and to develop beneficial research-based programs to meet the needs of the local producers.