Research & Development Team

Sabesh Kanagalingam, a seasoned product development scientist with over 20 years’ experience in sustainable agriculture and horticulture R&D, excels in aligning innovations with customer needs. His expertise spans polymer chemistry, diverse particle engineering, and formulation technologies, evident in his leadership roles at Agrium and Indigo Ag, where he pioneered products like ESN® nitrogen fertilizers and formulated microbials.

As Head of CMC at Dermbiont Inc., Sabesh drove hands-on formulation development and manufacturing of biologic-containing powder suspensions and emulsions. His consultancy work with prominent clients like Florikan, Solarea Bio, Bambu Global, CaviSense and SCD Probiotics demonstrates his contribution to pharma and agri/horti products.

Educated at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto, with a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Sabesh is also a Project Management Professional, underscoring his commitment to project excellence. With 18 patents and 40+ publications across various scientific fields, including agriculture/horticulture, Sabesh’s career mirrors his versatility and leadership in advancing sustainable solutions. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and fusing international cuisine.

Since joining the Arborjet team in 2013, Don Grosman is utilizing his broad knowledge of entomology and insect control strategies to help develop the next evolution in plant health technology. He holds a PhD. in Entomology from the Virginia Tech, a M.S. in Forestry from the University of Maine, Orono, and Bachelor of Science in Forest Biology from SUNY-CESF, Syracuse. Previously, Don served as Coordinator of the Forest Pest Management Cooperative based with the Texas Forest Service (17 years). He has conducted ground-breaking research in protecting the urban and natural forests against pests, including bark beetles, seed and cone insects, pine tip moth, and leaf-cutting ants. He has also discovered the efficacy of emamectin benzoate against several pine bark beetles, ambrosia beetles, and stem gall wasps.

At Arborjet, Don coordinates with Director of Research & Development Joe Doccola and President Russ Davis to identify, develop, and evaluate environmentally friendly and effective products and application systems for southern and western United States markets. He conducts laboratory and field bioassays with emphasis on the applied control of natural and urban forest insect and disease. A prolific author, Don has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals; is a frequent presenter at conferences; and is a member of various societies and committees including the Entomological Society of America and the International Society of Arboriculture – Texas. Don has been recognized with several awards such as the Forest Research Award and the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Services.

Don has relocated with family to New Hampshire. Outside work, he spends time with family, wood carving, and repairing his log home, and in 2016 he started a Christmas tree farm.

Arborjet has hired Evan Sorger from Medford, Massachusetts as a Research Associate and Lab Technician. He will assist in all aspects of executing experiments in the lab, help perform formulations, and aid in various bioassay projects both locally and abroad.

Sorger says that he’s always been passionate about the outdoors and has been looking for a way to get more involved within the industry. “I’d like to help mitigate the various external risks that face native flora every day. Arborjet seems to have an influential role in this important industry, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the organization.”

His past experience includes hazardous waste management and inventory coordination in the cannabis industry. Sorger attended the University of New Hampshire and graduated with a BS in Environmental Science.

Utsala Shrestha is Arborjet | Ecologel’s Soil and Plant Health Scientist, where she drives innovation in horticulture and beyond through research that blends academic rigor with practical industry expertise. Her work supports regional technical managers, growers, and the marketing team. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee and an active member of the professional interest group within the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS).

Utsala has over a decade of research and scientific experience in various roles around the world. At Mori, she contributed to research and product development by conducting experiments on edible coatings made from silk protein, with a focus on extensive data wrangling, analysis, and visualization. She served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate and Co-instructor at the University of Tennessee, designing and leading over 15 soil health and plant protection studies. Before that, she was the Horticultural development Officer for the government of Nepal, and worked with IUCN to conduct a survey for agritourism and Rhododendron conservation in Nepal.

In her spare time, she enjoys growing plants, taking photographs, and spending time with her kids.