Thesis defense for Burky
Thesis and Dissertation
Master of Fine Arts student in English, Katherine "Annie" Burky, under major professor Leah Hampton, will defend their thesis titled, "Wheat and the Old Republic" at 10:30 am PDT, on March 30, 2026 in the Administration Building Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: Auditorium - Administration Building - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Letters Arts and Social Sciences.
Monday, March 30, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Dissertation defense for Chen
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Computer Science, Weilin Chen, under major professor Xiaogang Ma, will defend the dissertation entitled, "LLM-Assisted Neuro-Symbolic AI Models for Advanced Mineral Exploration"on March 30, 2026 at 11:00 am PDT in IRIC 321 and over Zoom. Please email cogs@uidaho.edu for meeting information. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: IRIC 321 - Integrated Research and Innovation Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Engineering.
Monday, March 30, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Dissertation defense for Montgomery
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Plant Science, Chandra Montgomery, under major professor Albert Adjesiwor, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Integrating Basic Biology and Ecology for Weed Management in Small Grain Production Systems" on April 1 at 1 p.m. PDT at in the Kimberly Research and Extension Center, Kimberly, Idaho. The event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Kimberly Research and Extension Center
University of Idaho
3806 E 3600 N
Kimberly, Idaho.
Thesis defense for Chouinard
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in Creative Writing, Karissa Chouinard, under major professor Michael McGriff, will defend the thesis entitled, "Animal Summer" on April 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm PDT in the ISUB Panorma Room, Moscow Campus. This event is free and open to the public.
COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Letters Arts and Social Sciences.
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
ISUB PANORMA ROOM MAIN CAMPUS.
Thesis defense for Field
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in Natural Resources, Walker Field, under major professor Simona Picardi, will defend the theses entitled, "Interactions Between Brooding Sage-Grouse Hens and Beaver Dams: A Study of Facilitation" on April 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm PDT in CNR 108. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: CNR 108 - College of Natural Resources - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Natural Resources.
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Dissertation defense for Fealy
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Education, Cari A. Fealy, under major professor Laura Holyoke, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Stories of Challenge and Growth: A Narrative Inquiry into Making Sense of First-Year Academic Setbacks in College" on April 2, 2026 at 1:00 pm PDT in EHHS Room 515. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: ED 515 - College of Education, Health and Human Sciences - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Education Health and Human Sciences.
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Dissertation Defense for Yang
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate Jiayu Yang, under major professor Hong Wang, will defend the dissertation entitled, "On Embedding, Packing and Special Structures in Graphs" at 3:30 p.m. PDT on April 3, 2026, in TLC 023. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: TLC 023 - Teaching & Learning Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Science.
Friday, April 3, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
Dissertation defense for Friedberg
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Computer Science, Jacob Friedberg, under major professor John C. Shovic, will defend the dissertation entitled, "A Practical Approach to QARM Based GA's for Manufacturing Data Analysis in Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing" on April 6, 2026 at 9:30 am PDT in the UI CDA Harbor Center Room 241. This event is free and open to the public.
COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Engineering.
Monday, April 6, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM.
Dissertation defense for Starace
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Computer Science, Jason Starace, under major professor Terence Soule, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Which Truths to Tell: Misdirection, Belief Opacity, and Adversarial Manipulation of Profiled LLM Agents" on April 6, 2026 at 12:30 pm PDT in IRIC 105. Please email COGS@uidaho.edu for meeting information. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: IRIC 105 - Integrated Research and Innovation Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Engineering.
Monday, April 6, 2026, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
Graduate How-To: Format Your Thesis or Dissertation
This online workshop helps graduate students understand how to start formatting a thesis or dissertation, provides helpful tips and guidelines, and describes all required components of a finished product. The workshop also includes troubleshooting any problems students encounter during the formatting process.
Please register at the link below.
Participate Online: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/85721804707.
Monday, April 6, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
For more info visit futurevandals.uidaho.edu. Dissertation defense for Oneida
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Chemistry, Skylar Oneida, under major professor Kristopher Waynant, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Synthesis and Optimization of Peptide-Based Zwitterionic Cross-Linkers for Incorporation and Evaluation in Non-Fouling Polyampholytes" on April 7, 2026 at 12:30 pm PDT, in Renfrew Hall room 127. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: REN 127 - Renfrew Hall - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Science.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM.
Dissertation defense for Blanco
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Geography, Alexander Sainz Blanco, under major professor Alistair M.S. Smith, will defend their dissertation titled, "Pyro-ecophysiology of Conifer Sapling: Enhancing Understanding of how Conifer Saplings Respond Through Fire Tolerance, Physiological Mechanisms, and Predictive Modeling" at 1 p.m. PDT, on April 7, 2026 in McClure Hall room 216, Main Campus. The event is free and open to the public.
COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Science.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
McClure Hall, Room 216, Main Campus.
Dissertation defense for Hoffman
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate, Alexander P. Hoffman, under major professor Dr. Andrew Nelson, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Near Infrared Spectroscopy Modeling of Physiological Responses to Warm Interruptions on Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Seedlings" on April 7, 2026 at 1:30 pm PDT, via Zoom. Please email COGS@uidaho.edu for meeting information. This event is free and open to the public.
COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Natural Resources.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
Pathways to Work Sponsorships
The International Graduate Student Essentials Series, held by the International Programs Office, is designed to address key topics that are especially relevant to international students. These series cover critical areas such as pathways to work sponsorship, mental health and well-being and strategies for navigating global job markets. Participants will gain valuable skills while fostering connections and building a supportive community here at University of Idaho.
University Location: International Programs Office (IPO) Conference Room - Living Learning Community - Main Campus.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
For more info visit uidaho.campuslabs.com. Thesis defense for Yu
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in Creative Writing Jennifer Yu, under major professor Leah Hampton, will defend the thesis entitled, "Inheritance and Other Stories" on April 8, 2026 at 6:00 pm PDT in the Forge Theater. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: The Forge Theater - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Letters Arts and Social Sciences.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Dissertation defense for Hardman
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Geography, Douglas D. Hardman, under major professor Alistair M.S. Smith, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Improving Understanding of Dynamic Forest Ecosystems" on April 10, 2026 at 9:00 am PDT in McClure Hall Room 216 main campus. The event is free and open to the public.
COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Science.
Friday, April 10, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
McClure Hall Room 216 - Main Campus.
Dissertation Defense for Dougherty
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Environmental Science, Madison Dougherty, under major professor, Jaap Vos, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Pragmatism, Stewardship and Self-Sufficiency: Redefining Sustaniability at a Land-Grant University" at 11 a.m. PDT on April 10, 2026, in IRIC 305. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: IRIC 305 - Integrated Research and Innovation Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Natural Resources.
Friday, April 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Dissertation defense for Tabaracci
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Kaitlin Tabaracci, under major professor Daniel Robertson, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Multiscale Biomechanical Phenotyping and Data Imputation Strategies for Assessing Stalk Lodging Resistance in Maize" on April 10, 2026 at 1:30 pm PDT in ME Conference room Engineering Physics Building. The event is free and open to the public.
COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Engineering.
Friday, April 10, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
ME Conference Room; Engineering Physics Building.
English Graduate Conference: Know Books, Know People
Join us for the ninth annual Graduate English Conference at University of Idaho.
The day will feature graduate student panels, a keynote address from Washington State University Professor of English Jon Hegglund, and opportunities to meet graduate students from across the West. We are delighted to host students from thirteen universities and seven states this year, including Idaho, Montana, Washington, California, Oregon, Nevada and California.
University Location: IRIC Atrium - Integrated Research and Innovation Center - Main Campus.
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9:00 PM – Sunday, April 12, 2026, 4:30 AM.
For more info visit www.uidahoenglishmas.com. Dissertation defense for Guo
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral Candidate in Animal Physiology, Yufei Guo, under major professor Phillip Bass, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Alternative Fabrication and Analytical Strategies for Beef Quality Evaluation" on April 13, 2026 at 9:00 am PDT in the Meat Science and Inovation Center Classroom and via zoom. Please email cogs@uidaho.edu for meeting information. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: Meat Science and Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Monday, April 13, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
Dissertation defense for Wilcox
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Biological Sciences Jennifer Wilcox, under major professor Craig Miller, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Improving Phage Therapy: In Vivo Conditions Impacting the Efficacy of Bacteriophages" on April 13, 2026 at 1:30 pm PDT in TLC room 029. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: TLC 029 - Teaching & Learning Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Science.
Monday, April 13, 2026, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
Thesis defense for Maayah
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in Integrated Architecture and Design Firas Maayah, under major professor Yumna Kurdi, will defend the thesis entitled, "An Adaptive Game Design Framework for Dynamically Interpolating Gameplay Experience on Player Behavior" on April 14, 2026 at 10:00 am PDT in Art and Architecure North Shop Crit and over Zoom. Please email cogs@uidaho.edu for meeting information. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: AAN 106 - Shop Crit - Art & Architecture North - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Letters Arts and Social Sciences.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Dissertation defense for Lewis
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Education, Traci Lewis, under major professor Vanessa Anthony-Stevens, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Chickasaw Student Higher Education Attainment and Experiences," on April 16 at 10 a.m. PDT via Zoom. Please email cogs@uidaho.edu for meeting information. The event is free and open to the public.
COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Education Health and Human Sciences.
Thursday, April 16, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM.
Dissertation defense for Kredell
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Environmental Science, Jack Kredell, under major professor Jennifer Ladino, will defend their dissertation titled, "Apparatuses of Fire: Exception, Smokey Bear, and Wildfire Emotion" at 8:30 a.m. PST, on April 17, 2026, in IRIC 105. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: IRIC 105 - Integrated Research and Innovation Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Natural Resources.
Friday, April 17, 2026, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM.
Thesis defense for Fornes
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in Animal Science, Corbin Fornes, under major professor Phillip Bass, will defend the thesis entitled, "Hop (Humulus Lupulus) Extract Inclusion in Fresh Beef Patties Extends Shelf-Life" on April 17, 2026 at 11:00 am PDT in Ag Science Building Room 62. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: AG SCI 62 - Ag Science - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Friday, April 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Graduate How-To: Format Your Thesis or Dissertation
This workshop helps graduate students understand how to start formatting a thesis or dissertation, provides helpful tips and guidelines, and describes all required components of a finished product. The workshop also includes troubleshooting any problems students encounter during the formatting process.
Please register at the link below.
Participate Online: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/85721804707.
Monday, April 20, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
For more info visit futurevandals.uidaho.edu. Dissertation defense for Shea
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Chemical Engineering, Adrienne Shea, under major professor Matthew Bernards, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Advanced Polyampholyte Hydrogels for the Prevention of Bacterial Adhesion" on April 21, 2026 at 10:00 am PDT in Engineering Physics Building Room 413. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: EP 413 - Engineering/Physics Bldg - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Engineering.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Thesis defense for Bhattarai
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in Applied Economics Sabin Bhattarai, under major professor Philip Watson, will defend the thesis entitled, "Effects of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in the U.S. Potato Industry: Evidence from Structural and Input-Output Modeling" on April 21, 2026 at 10:00 am PDT in Ag Sci room 62. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: AG SCI 62 - Ag Science - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Thesis defense for Green
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in English, Hannah Green, under major professor Jennifer Ladino, will defend their thesis titled, "Sediment Archives" at Noon, PDT, on April 21, 2026 in IRIC room 310. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: IRIC 321 - Integrated Research and Innovation Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Letters Arts and Social Sciences.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Dissertation defense for Tongco
Thesis and Dissertation
Doctoral candidate in Natural Resources, Jovale Vincent Tongco, under major professor Armando G. McDonald, will defend the dissertation entitled, "Thermal Property and Durability Enhancement of Lignocellulosic Materials Through Bioninspired Processes" on April 22, 2026 at 2:00 pm PDT in CNR 200 and via Zoom. Please email cogs@uidaho.edu for meeting information. This event is free and open to the public.
University Location: CNR 200 - College of Natural Resources - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Dissertation. College_Discipline: Natural Resources.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Thesis Defense for Wagner
Thesis and Dissertation
Masters student in Biology, Jack Wagner, under major professor Paul Rowley, will defend the thesis entitled, "Investigation Into the Structural and Functional Role of the Yeast Protein Kre1 in Killer Toxin Susceptibility" at 3 p.m. PDT on April 24, 2026, in TLC 249. The event is free and open to the public.
University Location: TLC 249 - Teaching & Learning Center - Main Campus. COGS-Event Type: Thesis. College_Discipline: Science.
Friday, April 24, 2026, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.