An internship in graduate school may not always be the norm, but Ravinder Singh landed the opportunity to serve as an intern for Bayer Crop Science. The journey wasn’t without challenges, but with the support of faculty and staff in the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, he navigated the process. Now, he’s applying the skills he gained in field imaging and remote sensing to enhance his Ph.D. research.

Growing up on a farm, Singh spent countless hours helping his family care for animals and cultivate crops. These early experiences sparked his passion for agriculture and shaped his research focus on improving crop production efficiency—not just for his family farm, but for agricultural stakeholders everywhere. His interest in optimizing crop yields led him to study nutrient management, initially focusing on corn during his master’s program. However, he shifted his research focus to potatoes, which has proven to be both rewarding and insightful.

Driven by a desire to support agricultural stakeholders like his family, Singh developed a deep curiosity for exploring innovative research methods, including satellite imagery. His work focuses on leveraging cameras, sensors and satellite-guided technology to enhance crop production efficiency for farmers. Integrating satellite imagery into his research also opened the door to interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing him to work closely with Dr. Chang Zhao’s lab in the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy.

Singh’s journey to Bayer Crop Science began early in his Ph.D. program at UF, setting the stage for an internship that would expand his research and career outlook. His first encounter with Bayer Crop Science came at a major conference where he was presenting his research. The opportunity to showcase his work at such a large-scale event was exciting, but the experience became even more pivotal when a Bayer Crop Science recruiter approached him, encouraging him to apply for their internship program. With a growing interest in satellite imagery, remote sensing and precision agriculture, Singh viewed the internship as a chance to explore cutting-edge technology in a new setting—deepening his expertise while making a greater impact on agricultural stakeholders.

The financial burden and logistical challenges of balancing an internship with graduate school weighed heavily on Singh. Uncertain about how to manage his coursework and research assistantship during and after the internship, he turned to graduate coordinator Chris Wilson, who connected him with essential resources and guidance. Despite his initial doubts, the strong support from his department to pursue an internship the industry proved invaluable to both his professional and personal growth. Over the course of his nearly six-month internship, Singh navigated the complexities of juggling research and industry experience, gaining firsthand insight into the benefits and challenges of such an opportunity. The experience not only shaped his approach to graduate school and research but also strengthened his skills in collaboration, organization and teamwork.

“I realized that I had more confidence with public speaking and collaborative work,” said Singh.

Now halfway through his program, Singh is contemplating his post-graduation plans, which includes both industry and academic pathways. His close mentorship from his faculty adviser, Lakesh Sharma, and his internship experience has provided a well-rounded view of post-graduate opportunities.

“Going on an internship for some time will get you to the work culture of that industry,” said Singh. It was an unexpected turn in his journey to completing his Ph.D. However, it has provided essential knowledge to his research. Singh hopes other graduate students are encouraged to take on an internship and experience the same support from their department’s faculty and staff. In addition to the support from faculty and staff, the Doris Lowe and Earl and Verna Lowe Scholarship played a crucial role in making his internship financially feasible while also providing valuable guidance for his professional journey.

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