Alice Pierce

PhD Student - Plant Biology

Greater Sacramento

About

I am a PhD Student in the Plant Biology Graduate Group at UC Davis. My research focus is on plant genomics and molecular genetics. I specifically study how introns affect chromatin biology, gene expression and genome biology. As a graduate student researcher in Dr. Grey Monroe's lab, I use computational biology and bioinformatics skills, alongside molecular biology techniques, to answer hypothesis-driven research questions. I received my Bachelor's of Science from UC Davis in Biotechnology with an emphasis in Plants, and a minor in Computational Biology. During my undergraduate studies, I was a member of Dr. Alan Rose's lab where I researched the effect of Intron-Mediated Enhancement on gene expression. I am extremely passionate about creating equitable and inclusive spaces. I am actively involved in mentorship and outreach activities to promote STEM education to historically underrepresented groups. I particularly focus on improving molecular biology, plant biology, and botany literacy. Selected events include mentoring and supervising undergraduate students in the Monroe lab, lecturing for high school students sponsored by the American Chemical Society, K-12 outreach through UC Davis organizations such as Science Says and GSPD SACNAS, and mentoring local high school seniors to design and perform a biotechnology research project, sponsored by the UC Davis Biotechnology Program.

Experience

  • PHD Student at University of California, Davis
    Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

  • Junior Specialist at Melotto Lab
    Oct 2019 - Jun 2021 · 1 yr 9 mos

  • University of California, Davis (1 yr 8 mos)
    • Undergraduate Researcher, Alan Rose Lab
      Jan 2018 - Aug 2019 · 1 yr 8 mos

    • Peer Advisor, Department of Plant Sciences
      Jan 2018 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Undergraduate Learning Assistant at Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity and the Tree of Life
    Jan 2017 - Mar 2017 · 3 mos