AWC’s Dr. Hikmet Budak presents cutting-edge research at national agronomy conference
November 19, 2025Yuma, Ariz. (November 19, 2025) — Arizona Western College (AWC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Hikmet Budak, Director of Agriculture, was recently invited to speak at the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) Annual Conference which took place from November 9-12th in Salt Lake City, Utah. The ASA conference is recognized as the largest and most influential gathering in the field of agronomy.
Dr. Budak delivered a presentation titled “A Network Perspective on Noncoding Elements in Response to Fusarium Head Blight Using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.”
“I was honored to share my research at such a prestigious scientific forum while also highlighting the exceptional work our students are doing through GOAL programs,” Dr. Budak shared. “Their contributions demonstrate the power of education, innovation, and collaboration in addressing today’s agricultural challenges.”
In addition to sharing his scientific findings, Dr. Budak spotlighted AWC students’ involvement in hands-on agricultural research. His presentation included examples from AWC’s GOALs project programs, which are supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).
“We were proud to be represented by Dr. Budak at the ASA Conference in Salt Lake City,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, AWC’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs. “His presentation reflected our college’s commitment to advancing agronomic innovation and equipping the next generation of agricultural professionals with the cutting-edge knowledge they need. This event furthered our mission to build strong workforce pipelines at the intersection of agriculture, entrepreneurship, and technology.”
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About the American Society of Agronomy:
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) is a global leader in supporting professional agronomists, scientists, and educators dedicated to advancing the field. ASA provides certification programs, research publications, professional development, and a platform for sharing innovative agronomic solutions with an international audience.
Contact:
Travis Mitchell
Director of Marketing
Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College
travis.mitchell@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7677