Sam Hagopian has extensive education and experience in horticulture. He has a MS in Horticulture from Colorado State University and BAs in Ecology/Evolutionary Biology and Psychology from University of Colorado, Boulder. He has worked as the Supervising Coordinator of CSU's Annual Flower Trial Gardens and for the City of Boulder Parks Department. Currently, he is conducting independent research for his thesis on the water use characteristics of ornamental grasses under his advisor Dr. James Klett at CSU. He has published articles, presented research at conferences, and taught plant identification courses as a teaching assistant.

1. EDUCATION
2014-2016 MS, Horticulture (Expected Graduation May 2016)
Worked as CSU Annual Flower Trial Garden Coordinator while attending full-time school
GPA: 3.9
Colorado State University
2006-2011 BA, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Concentration: Plant Biology and Botany
Selected coursework: Plant Anatomy, Physiology, Systematics, and Biodiversity
University of Colorado, Boulder
2006-2011 BA, Psychology
Selected coursework: Social, Biological, and Cognitive Psychology
University of Colorado, Boulder
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
2014-2016 Colorado State University Annual Flower Trial Gardens
Supervising Coordinator
 Cultivated and managed over 15,000 individual annual flowers in four large greenhouses
and in a 2.8 acre outdoor park containing 188,000 ft2
of flower beds including over 1000
unique varieties and 50 unique genera.
 Cataloged, organized, and kept accurate and detailed records of trial garden plants in a
scientific trial evaluating plant aesthetics and hardiness.
 Identified and remediated greenhouse and outdoor garden insect/disease.
 Maintained and fostered positive relationships with over 30 participating horticulture
companies and organizations.
 Conceptualized and created the first digital platform to evaluate trial plants on smart-
devices at a university trial in the country.
 Automated compilation of plant evaluation by developing a program that increased
data compilation by over 300%.
 Interviewed, hired, and trained new employees in flower and greenhouse management.
 Managed a labor crew of 3-5 members year round.
 Coordinated large scale scientific events (industry plant evaluations and mass planting
events) including attendees from over 30 different organizations.
 Coordinated large scale irrigation in both garden and greenhouse settings, following a
strict daily watering schedule and fertilization regimen.
2437 W Stuart St.
Fort Collins, CO 80526
email: hagopian.sam@gmail.com
phone: 978.502.6637
t: @vasanthsarathy
SAM HAGOPIAN

2. 2009-2013 City of Boulder Parks Department
Maintenance Personnel and Horticulturalist
 Trained and supervised new seasonal staff at Boulder’s landmark Pearl St. Mall area.
 Planned floral design and placement of over 5,000 annual and perennial plants on a
year round cycle.
 Conceptualized and innovated themed planting beds (Xeriscape and Plant Select).
 Executed specific on-site problem solving and corrective actions on a daily basis.
 Implemented continuous improvement practices by recommending changes in operating
practices to save the city money and improve the speed and efficiency of many
repetitive tasks, for example altering bed slope angles to reduce runoff or properly
labeling trees to improve the quality of a park.
 Obtained direct experience with irrigation systems, soil fertility, plant health
management, Integrative Pest Management, and Colorado’s Best Management
Practices.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant
2014-2016 Landscape Plants
Teaching Assistant, Colorado State University
 Instructed 6-8 hours per week of hands-on plant identification, covering 275 species.
2014-2016 Herbaceous Plants
Teaching Assistant, Colorado State University
 Instructed 2-4 hours per week of hands-on plant identification and flower bed planning,
covering 175 herbaceous species.
2014-2016 Nursery Production and Management
Teaching Assistant, Colorado State University
 Instructed 2 hours per week in the field identifying and demonstrating common nursery
production practices.
Classroom Lectures
2015 Rosaceae
Instructor, Colorado State University
2015 Aceraceae and Betulaceae
Instructor, Colorado State University
2015 Annual Flowers M-P: Mirabilis-Portulaca
Instructor, Colorado State University
2014 Conifers: Picea, Pinus, and Juniperus
Instructor, Colorado State University
2014 Perennial Flowers K-P: Kniphofia-Penstemon
Instructor, Colorado State University
2014 Annual Flowers P-T: Petunia-Thunbergia
Instructor, Colorado State University
Teaching Certificate
2014-2016 Institute for Learning and Teaching
Teaching Certificate Program, Colorado State University
 Instructed 200+ hours of hands on teaching.
 Attended pedagogical workshops and created curriculum development materials
including syllabus, course materials, lesson plans, assignments, and reflective
documents.
 Produced a personal teaching philosophy based on pedagogical experiences.

3. RECENT INVITED TALKS AND POSTERS
Talks
2016 Bring the Science of Plant Trials Home (Forthcoming)
High Plains Landscape Workshop, Fort Collins, CO
2016 Best Annuals and Perennials for the Rocky Mountain and High Plains Region in 2016
(Forthcoming)
PROGREEN Exposition, Denver, CO
2016 CSU Research Updates – Deficit Irrigation Effects on Growth, Stress, Visual Quality, and
Evapotranspiration of Ornamental Grasses (Forthcoming)
PROGREEN Exposition, Denver, CO
2015 Irrigation Effects on Visual Quality, Stress, and Evapotranspiration of Landscape Plants
American Society of Horticultural Science, New Orleans, LA
2015 Water Use of Common Landscape Plants
American Society of Horticultural Science: Scholars Ignite, New Orleans, LA
2015 Best Annuals and Perennials for the Rocky Mountain and High Plains Region in 2015
PROGREEN Exposition, Denver, CO
2015 CSU Research Updates – Irrigation Effects on Growth, Stress, Visual Quality, and
Evapotranspiration of Ornamental Grasses
PROGREEN Exposition, Denver, CO
2015 Increase Water Savings by Reducing Landscape Irrigation
Graduate Student Showcase, Fort Collins, CO
Posters
2016 Deficit Irrigation Effects on Growth, Stress, Visual Quality, and Evapotranspiration of
Ornamental Grasses (Forthcoming)
PROGREEN Exposition, Denver, CO
2015 Irrigation Effects on Growth, Stress, Visual Quality, and Evapotranspiration of Ornamental
Grasses
PROGREEN Exposition, Denver, CO
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2014-2016 Colorado State University – Horticulture Research Laboratory of Dr. James Klett
Principle Investigator
 Conducted independent research in the field of horticulture for a three part thesis
investigating the water use characteristics of ornamental grasses.
 Attained various scientific measurements of plant health and growth using a wide range
of scientific devices to determine plant water utilization and water stress.
 Collected scientific data to determine leaf water stress, evapotranspiration, carbon
isotope ratios, anatomical structures, soil properties, rooting depth, and overall
aesthetics.
 Created and maintained large scientific research plots for two years of research.
 Performed statistical analysis using SAS software.
 Obtained funding through grant identification and writing.
2010 University of Colorado, Boulder – Independent Study
Research Assistant
 Spearheaded investigation on the hyperaccumulation of Copper by Salvinia molesta.
 Acquired plant identification knowledge based on both plant family and genus.
 Constructed accurate phylogenies within Plantae kingdom.

4. 2008 University of Colorado, Boulder – Biology Research Laboratory of Dr. Russell Monson
Research Assistant
 Investigated climate change and carbon cycling, Photosynthetically Active Radiation
(PAR), and ecosystem-atmosphere Carbon Dioxide exchange and the impact on
Colorado forests in a field setting.
 Examined climate and atmospheric impacts on plant secondary metabolites in a
greenhouse setting.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
2015 Hagopian S, Klett J. Impact of Limited Irrigation on Health of Three
Ornamental Grass Species. Colorado Water. May/June 2015; 32:2.
2015 Hagopian S, Klett J. Limited Irrigation and the Impact on Health of Three
Ornamental Grass Species. Colorado Looseleaf. January 2015.
SKILLS
Computer MS Access, MS Excel, Online Portal Systems (Blackboard, Canvas), SAS, R.
Technical Diviner 2000 Frequency Domain Reflectometer, PMS Model 600 Pressure Chamber,
LICOR 6400 (soil respiration and leaf photosynthesis), Omega OS534 Handheld
Infrared Thermometer, Sentran ZB1-250 Load Cell, Scanning Electron Micrograph,
Spurr’s Resin Kit for Analysis of Anatomical Structures, Mini-Lysimeter, Light
Microscopy, Gas Extractor, Drying Oven, Flow Meter, Soil Temperature and
Humidity Probe, Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) Wands, Solar Panel, Data
Logger.
Machinery Skid Steer, Tractor, Bobcat, Mini-Excavator, Tamper, Tiller, Aerator, Backhoe,
Loader, Forklift, Sweeper, Scrubber, Trencher, Trailer, Welder, Power Tools.
General General Construction, Carpentry, Masonry, Flower, Shrub, and Tree Maintenance,
Hand Tools.
Affiliations
Colorado Water Institute
Colorado Horticulture Research and Education Foundation
Garden Centers of Colorado
Colorado State University Agriculture Experiment Station
Colorado Native Plant Society
North American Rock Garden Society
Golden Key International Honour Society
Pi Alpha Xi Horticulture Honour Society
Plant Select
GreenCO
Colorado WaterWise
CSU Charges for Technology Committee

5. OTHER INTERESTS
Athletics Accomplished Western USA mountaineer, successful summit of all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000-
foot mountains in two years, year-round triathlete, marathoner, endurance athlete,
backcountry and cross-country skier.
Horticulture Flower and vegetable gardener, greenhouse builder and owner, plant identification during
hikes, propagation techniques.
Cooking
Dog Training
Photography
REFERENCES
James Klett, PhD
Professor and Extension Landscape Horticulturalist
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University
1173 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Telephone: (970) 218-0104 Email: jim.klett@colostate.edu
Lisa Martin
Urban Parks Operations Manager, City of Boulder
Department of Parks and Recreation
3198 North Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304
Telephone: (303) 441-3407 Email: martinl2@bouldercolorado.gov
Alison O’Connor
Larimer County Horticulture Extension Agent
Colorado State University Extension
1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524-2004
Telephone: (614) 488-9346 Email: stovena@co.larimer.co.us