From the Department of Biosystems and Ag Engineering....

This Week’s International Student of the week is Saleh Ashaghathra. He is from the city of Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is also the capital city. He came to the U.S. on a scholarship from King Saud University, from Saudi Arabia in 2001. He came to Oklahoma State University because of the excellent reputation that the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering had. He was convinced to come here to OSU to pursue his graduate studies.

He received his M.S. in 2003 from OSU as well. He is now a PhD student in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. His research as a PhD student involves identifying Pecan Weevils, by using specific image processing techniques. These particular insects can cause extensive damage to such crop production and Saleh and his advisor Dr. Paul Weckler are currently working on optimizing ways to distinguish the pecan weevils from other insects present in similar habitats. The ultimate benefit of this technology would be an early warning system based on a wireless sensor network for the field area. This system is expected to result in substantial cost savings for the Pecan farmers in the U.S.

When he is not busy doing research and conducting tests, he enjoys contributing his time by volunteering in the community and spending time with his family. He has two little daughters, Nora who is five and Jana who is four, who along with his wife are the best part of his life. He is a member of the Muslim Student Association and the Islamic Society of Stillwater and is also the Vice-President of Saudi Student Association at OSU.

His future plans consist of going back to King Saud University and taking a position as a faculty member. “I feel honored to be here as a representative of my country and its culture, and have had the experience to make many new friends and will always remember the time spent here as an important stage in my life,” said Ashaghathra.

His advisor is Dr. Paul Weckler