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Akwasi Opoku, a Ph.D. student in the Environmental Sciences & Health Graduate Program in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, journeyed from Ghana to the Â鶹´«Ã½AV, where he is building on his family’s legacy of sustainable agriculture studying under his supervisor, Juan Solomon. But, his acquaintance with the College’s Dean, Bill Payne, began when he was just a 16-year-old boy in Ghana. Now, Opoku continues to collaborate with him at the University on far-reaching research in sustainable farming and soil regeneration, Akwasi’s path illustrates the power of mentorship, support and meaningful relationships between students and faculty.

Opoku grew up in a farming household in Ghana, where the daily rhythm of planting, nurturing and harvesting shaped not just his childhood but his future. His mother farmed and traded crops, while his father, Kofi Boa, a professor, became a globally recognized advocate for conservation agriculture. He founded the Center for No-Till Agriculture with support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to train farmers across Africa.

“Dinner table conversations weren’t exactly about sports or movies,” Opoku recalled with a laugh. “We talked about soil health.”

It was through this family commitment to agriculture that Opoku first crossed paths with Bill Payne in 2011 in Kumasi, a city about 250 kilometers north of Accra, Ghana’s capital. At the time, Payne, then a professor at Texas A&M, served as a technical adviser on one of the Center for No-Till Agriculture’s research projects.

“I remember meeting him as a 16-year-old boy,” Opoku said. “At the time, I didn’t know that someday I’d be conducting similar research with him in a city called Reno in Nevada. Life has a funny way of circling back.”

Choosing Nevada: a leap of faith

When it came time to pursue graduate study, Opoku didn’t follow the well-worn path of applying broadly to dozens of schools. Instead, he applied to one.

“I knew Dean Payne was at the Â鶹´«Ã½AV and I knew he cared about agriculture that mattered,” he said. “That was enough for me. I didn’t have all the details of what graduate life in the U.S. would be like, but I trusted the connection.”

For Opoku, the University wasn’t just an academic choice; it was a leap of faith into a community that promised mentorship and support.

“We try to build an environment where international students don’t just feel welcome but truly valued,” Payne said. “Opoku brings both intellectual talent and lived experience that enrich our research and our classrooms.”

Research with real-world impact

Now deep in his Ph.D. research, Opoku is testing how fertilizer levels and harvest timing influence forage crop production and soil health in Nevada’s semiarid conditions. The science may sound technical, but the heart of the work is simple: to help farmers grow nutritious crops, reduce costs and protect the land for future generations.

“I’m essentially asking if farmers can do more with less,” Opoku explained. “Can we grow strong forage with less fertilizer, at the right harvest times, in a way that supports both livestock and the soil? If the answer is yes, then it’s a win for farmers, for the economy and for the environment.”

Opoku studies under Juan Solomon, an associate professor in the College’s Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences. Solomon emphasized the importance of this work.

“Opoku brings an unusual blend of scientific rigor and practical perspective,” Solomon said. “He knows what it means for farming families because he has lived it. That connection drives him to ask the right questions.”

Lessons beyond the lab

While his research keeps him busy, Opoku insists on balance. He plays soccer and basketball, enjoys music and art and takes advantage of Reno’s outdoor opportunities.

“I like to remind myself that crops aren’t the only things that need balance – humans do too,” he said, smiling.

At times, the journey has required humor as much as hard work. “When you move from the warm tropics of Ghana to the high desert of Nevada, skiing suddenly becomes part of your vocabulary,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m good at it, but let’s just say falling is also a form of learning.”

Looking ahead

As he looks toward graduation, Opoku envisions a career in forage agronomy, solving pressing challenges in food security, soil health and sustainable farming systems. His ambition is both global and personal: to honor his father’s legacy while creating new opportunities for farmers worldwide.

“I couldn’t have chosen a better university in the U.S.,” he reflected. “Here professors know me by name, my research matters in the real world and I have grown both academically and personally. You’re not just another student here – you’re part of something bigger.”