Lawrence Aula Joins Nebraska Agronomy Research Team

New Role Focuses on Soil Health and Efficiency

Bonnie Johnson
November 12, 2025
Media Article

Lawrence Aula joins Nebraska’s Panhandle Research Center to study soil management and nutrient efficiency. His research aims to strengthen sustainable farming systems and global food security through applied agronomy.

Lawrence Aula has joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Panhandle Research, Extension, and Education Center in Scottsbluff as a research assistant professor in agronomy and horticulture. Starting March 1, he now holds a 100% research appointment under the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

This is not Aula’s first experience in Nebraska. He previously worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the Dryland Cropping Systems Lab from December 2021 to August 2023 with Cody Creech and Amanda Easterly. “I was responsible for collecting and synthesizing existing data from a long-term tillage experiment located at the High Plains Ag Lab near Sidney, Nebraska,” Aula said. “I also conducted research to improve winter wheat seeding decisions based on seeding rates, cultivars, planting dates, and row spacing.”

In his new role, Aula is studying how changing a long-term no-till soil management system to one that includes occasional tillage affects soil properties. His project will involve tilling the soil every six years to observe long-term impacts.

Born in Oyam, Uganda, Aula’s early life was shaped by unrest caused by the Lord’s Resistance Army. While helping his parents farm, he became interested in soil fertility. “My interest in soil fertility was sparked by the realization that soil fertility had been declining on our small farm in Uganda due to continuous crop production without replenishing what crops we were removing from the soil,” he said.

Aula earned his bachelor’s degree from Gulu University, Uganda, followed by a master’s and doctorate in soil science from Oklahoma State University. He later taught at Kabale University before returning to Nebraska. His research now focuses on improving nitrogen use efficiency and creating models to predict crop yields.

Outside of work, Aula enjoys walking, caring for trees, and watching soccer matches every weekend to recharge.

Photo by: agronomy.unl.edu