Vivian Maier, a junior at Fresno State, came in second place in the oral research presentation contest at the California Weed Science Society annual conference.

Maier’s presentation focused on the dormancy requirements of the herbicide-resistant hairy fleabane weed. The hairy fleabane weed is a problem in orchards, vineyards and non-crop areas.

Plant Science students May Yang and Samikshya Budhathoki made research poster presentations at the conference. Dr. Anil Shrestha also presented on the Palmer Amaranth weed, which in 2016 was ranked as the most troublesome weed in America by a Weed Science Society of America survey.

Maier won $300 for her presentation. The conference was held in Monterey, California on Jan. 18.