John Raggente

Hi, I'm John Raggente! I'm a passionate individual currently pursuing a Masters in Agriculture at the University of Guelph. This website portfolio highlights my education, experience, and accomplishments I've acquired throughout my career.

Education

Master of Plant Agriculture, MPAg

University of Guelph

2024 - 2025

I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Plant Agriculture, with a strong focus on advancing my expertise in crop systems and plant breeding. I look forward to enrolling in additional courses that align with my interests and participating in a dynamic summer internship where I can further develop my skills in collaboration with a leading organization in the field







B.Sc in Molecular Biology and Genetics

University of Guelph

2019 - 2023

Pursuing a University degree has been the experience of a lifetime. It not only taught me a wealth of knowledge involving genetics, breeding, cropscience, but also taught me a great deal about myself. During my 4 years I experienced stress, worries, and immense pressure, but through it all I learned that I'm an individual who can perservere.

Summer Fields Solutions Associate

Bayer CropScience

May 2025 - Current
  • Safely use heavy duty equipment to create randomized complete block trials
  • Perform maintenance sprays, till fields, plant cover crops
  • Use SOPs for creating trial spray mixtures
  • Conduct data collection and prepare for supervisors

Student Research Assistant

University of Guelph

September 2024 - May 2025
  • Assist in setting up turfgrass trials for company funded reserach
  • Perform data collection and analysis with Excel and SAS
  • Assist in Laboratory, Growth Facilities, and Greenhouse

Summer Fields Solutions Associate

Bayer CropScience

May 2023 - September 2023
  • Safely haul tractor machinery to and from locations
  • Use laboratory SOP to mix herbicide trials and perform hand boom sprays
  • Perform tractor herbicide/fungicide maintenance sprays on appointed trials and general upkeep
  • Carefully conduct herbicide phytotoxicity and efficacy data collection for supervisor

Laboratory Research Assistant

University of Guelph

September 2022 - May 2023
  • Collect and conduct research on CBB (Common Bacterial Blight) resistance in a population of non-darkening pinto beans
  • Perform DNA dilutions, PCR, and Gel electrophoresis on bean population
  • Genotype population for CBB resistant QTLs, and inoculate population to look for genotype/phenotype relationship
  • Use data to prepare a research manuscript and present findings

Growth Facilities Assistant

University of Guelph

September 2022 - May 2023
  • Use yellow cards to scout for plant pests and release appropriate biocontrols
  • Prepare irrigation and fertigation systems for growth rooms/greenhouse zones
  • Assist graduate students with data collection or research setup
  • Sterilize growth rooms to reduce vectors for pest spread

Seed Packaging Assistant

University of Guelph

January 2021 - May 2021
  • Count and package F3 generation beans for next years trials
  • Ensure good quality of bean samples in timely manner
  • Collect and complete data sheets for each bean sample
  • Inputing data sheets into Microsoft Excel

Summer Student Intern

Parkinson Farms

May 2020 - September 2020

  • Crop scout soybeans and corn for pests, abnormal dips in canopy, stunting, etc.
  • Collect data on weed species for each location to prepare appropriate maintenance sprays
  • Conducting randomized field soil samples to assess for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) presence
  • Operate tractor machinery in a safe manner traveling to and from locations