Durham, North Carolina, United States
Ever since sophomore year in college I have been involved in the agricultural research field and love it. I have had many jobs, mentors, and classes that have lead me to my interest in plant and pathogen research. These experiences and people have taught me how to become a better researcher in all aspects including experimental design, collaboration, lab etiquette, analysis, writing, presentation, and those necessary soft skills. I have been lucky to work with outstanding professors at Iowa State University who have guided me through undergraduate and graduate research which lead to presentations and publications. To be a good researcher you have to be able to teach others your research and these experiences have given me the opportunity to teach those that I have managed. My passion is plants. Working hands-on with plants is a stress reliever for me. Greenhouse and growth chamber work is relaxing. I also am a problem solver and love learning so research is very interesting to me. I am a patient, positive person that works well with just about anyone including kids. I have learned to be a flexible worker because of my experience with field experiments and working with others.
I am the plant pathologist working on crops such as ornamentals, fruits, and soybeans. My expertise is in root rot pathogens. From time to time I get to work with honey bees.
Lab manager for Dr. Michael Castellano's soil fertility management lab. Manages lab and field duties for several field experiments including graduate, postdoc, and large company experiments. Assign tasks to hourly undergraduate students to accomplish experiment needs in a timely manner. Analyze data using Microsoft excel, SAS, and R statistical programs.
Performed three experiments related to how corn root rot is affected by the placement of a winter rye cover crop; growth chamber, on-farm study, and field experiment. Designed a growth chamber experiment to learn how temperature fluctuations in Iowa spring affect corn root rot with and without a rye cover crop. Presented this research at conferences, field days, and in the department. Published two articles from this research. Taught undergraduate students how to do various task related to this research. Wrote a grant proposal and received the grant for the on-farm experiment.
Lab assistant for Dr. Daren Mueller's plant pathology lab. Ran pesticide treatment experiments for companies focussing on soybean cyst nematode and sudden death syndrome management.
Lab assistant for Dr. Silvia Cianzio's soybean breeding lab. Screened for disease resistance in hundreds of soybean varieties. Focussed on soybean sudden death syndrome, soybean cyst nematode, brown stem rot, and iron deficiency chlorosis.