Postdoctoral Associate

• Apr 2023 - Present

I currently work in the Education Research and Outreach Lab at Donald Danforth Plant Science Research Center where I introduce educational technology to classrooms to promote student interest in future STEM careers. I currently work in the Education Research and Outreach Lab at Donald Danforth Plant Science Research Center where I introduce educational technology to classrooms to promote student interest in future STEM careers.

Adjunct Instructor in Biology

• Aug 2016 - May 2017

Postdoctoral Plant Molecular Research Biologist

• Sep 2012 - Sep 2015

Constructing an E Gene Molecular Model for Soybean Maturity Groups Understanding the genes and alleles responsible for soybean photoperiod response will enhance targeted soybean breeding for particular environments. The objective of this study was to develop a molecular model for soybean maturity based on the alleles underlying the major maturity loci: E1, E2, and E3. I correlated E gene haplotypes with maturity data from the North American ancestral soybean lines, 112 diverse soybean… Show more Constructing an E Gene Molecular Model for Soybean Maturity Groups Understanding the genes and alleles responsible for soybean photoperiod response will enhance targeted soybean breeding for particular environments. The objective of this study was to develop a molecular model for soybean maturity based on the alleles underlying the major maturity loci: E1, E2, and E3. I correlated E gene haplotypes with maturity data from the North American ancestral soybean lines, 112 diverse soybean lines, 600 plant variety protection (PVP) lines, 100 private company lines, and select Nested Association Mapping (NAM) lines. I then characterized the E gene allele combinations necessary to condition adaptation of different soybean maturity groups. This E gene model can be used to allow more efficient transfer of elite yield genes between Northern and Southern soybean breeding programs, enable more rapid introgression of new traits into different maturity groups, and increase overall the efficiency of targeted breeding for specific maturity groups. Creation of SNPViz, a haplotype viewer In collaboration with a Computer Science graduate student, I developed an easy-to-use software tool to identify and categorize haplotypes using large-scale SNP or GBS datasets. The SNPViz software enables users to analyze specific gene regions and larger chromosomal regions for different sequenced genomes. This software was integrated into SoyKB (http://soykb.org/SNPViz/) and is also available as a download version for use in multiple organisms. I demonstrated the usefulness of SNPViz by examining soybean maturity genes in two publicly-available SNP datasets. Other Projects - Developing a population molecular selection software tool called Pop Select - Conducting a GWAS experiment on flowering and maturity in late-maturing soybean lines Other Activities - Completion of mentoring certification - Participant in Merging Crop Modeling and Genetics Workshop (July 2015) Show less Constructing an E Gene Molecular Model for Soybean Maturity Groups Understanding the genes and alleles responsible for soybean photoperiod response will enhance targeted soybean breeding for particular environments. The objective of this study was to develop a molecular model for soybean maturity based on the alleles underlying the major maturity loci: E1, E2, and E3. I correlated E gene haplotypes with maturity data from the North American ancestral soybean lines, 112 diverse soybean… Show more Constructing an E Gene Molecular Model for Soybean Maturity Groups Understanding the genes and alleles responsible for soybean photoperiod response will enhance targeted soybean breeding for particular environments. The objective of this study was to develop a molecular model for soybean maturity based on the alleles underlying the major maturity loci: E1, E2, and E3. I correlated E gene haplotypes with maturity data from the North American ancestral soybean lines, 112 diverse soybean lines, 600 plant variety protection (PVP) lines, 100 private company lines, and select Nested Association Mapping (NAM) lines. I then characterized the E gene allele combinations necessary to condition adaptation of different soybean maturity groups. This E gene model can be used to allow more efficient transfer of elite yield genes between Northern and Southern soybean breeding programs, enable more rapid introgression of new traits into different maturity groups, and increase overall the efficiency of targeted breeding for specific maturity groups. Creation of SNPViz, a haplotype viewer In collaboration with a Computer Science graduate student, I developed an easy-to-use software tool to identify and categorize haplotypes using large-scale SNP or GBS datasets. The SNPViz software enables users to analyze specific gene regions and larger chromosomal regions for different sequenced genomes. This software was integrated into SoyKB (http://soykb.org/SNPViz/) and is also available as a download version for use in multiple organisms. I demonstrated the usefulness of SNPViz by examining soybean maturity genes in two publicly-available SNP datasets. Other Projects - Developing a population molecular selection software tool called Pop Select - Conducting a GWAS experiment on flowering and maturity in late-maturing soybean lines Other Activities - Completion of mentoring certification - Participant in Merging Crop Modeling and Genetics Workshop (July 2015) Show less

PhD Graduate Research Assistant

• Aug 2006 - Dec 2012

PhD Dissertation: Localization of the Rf3 Restorer-of-Fertility Gene for Maize S-type Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Research Project Maize cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait that prevents normal pollen development. The pollen grains develop normally until the starch-filling stage when they rapidly disintegrate and collapse. Cleavage of the sterility-associated mitochondrial transcript, orf355/orf77, mediated by the nuclear restorer Rf3, reverses male… Show more PhD Dissertation: Localization of the Rf3 Restorer-of-Fertility Gene for Maize S-type Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Research Project Maize cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait that prevents normal pollen development. The pollen grains develop normally until the starch-filling stage when they rapidly disintegrate and collapse. Cleavage of the sterility-associated mitochondrial transcript, orf355/orf77, mediated by the nuclear restorer Rf3, reverses male sterility in CMS-S. I mapped R3 to a 1.98 Mb region on chromosome 2 using molecular markers and SNP genotyping. Within this region, I identified and investigated 6 candidate genes. I also performed RNA-Seq on pre-emergent tassels to compare gene expression in CMS-S sterile and fertility-restored plants to help identify coding regions that would function as Rf3 alleles during pollen development. Other Activities - Participated in a teaching practicum for General Genetics and received a minor in College Science Teaching - Managed and led lab for 1 year during my advisor's sabbatical - Mentored 6 undergraduate students in performing molecular biology experiments; writing and presenting research; general lab maintenance; and field work - Maintained impeccable safety standards in keeping chemical inventories, performing monthly radiation surveys, disposing of unwanted materials, and providing chemical safety training to all lab members

Graduate Teaching Assistant for General Genetics

• Jan 2009 - May 2012

Teaching Assistant for Biological Sciences 2200: General Genetics Semesters: Spring 2009, Fall 2011, and Spring 2012 Teaching practicum student Fall 2011 Duties: Presented class lecture; led recitation and review sessions; and wrote and graded exams

Graduate Teaching Assistant for Non-Major Biology Laboratory

• Aug 2007 - May 2008

Biological Sciences 1020: Biology Lab for Non-majors Semesters: Fall 2007, Spring 2008 Duties: Led laboratory, discussion, and review sections; designed homework assignments; and wrote and graded exams

MS Graduate Research Assistant

• May 2004 - Dec 2006

MS Thesis: Maize Brittle Stalk2 Encodes a Cobra-like Protein Required for Organ Flexibility at Maturity Research Project The maize brittle stalk2 (bk2) is a developmentally-programmed mutant in which all parts of the plant become brittle at the 5-leaf stage. Consequently, bk2 plants snap easily, making it difficult to grow them without support. This project studied components of the cell wall to determine possible causes of the brittle phenotype of bk2 through cytological and… Show more MS Thesis: Maize Brittle Stalk2 Encodes a Cobra-like Protein Required for Organ Flexibility at Maturity Research Project The maize brittle stalk2 (bk2) is a developmentally-programmed mutant in which all parts of the plant become brittle at the 5-leaf stage. Consequently, bk2 plants snap easily, making it difficult to grow them without support. This project studied components of the cell wall to determine possible causes of the brittle phenotype of bk2 through cytological and biochemical approaches. I employed a variety of assays to determine the amounts of cell wall components, including monosaccharides, cellulose, and lignin. Cell wall composition and architecture were also examined with FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and histology. The combination of these approaches provided a clearer understanding of the basis for the brittle nature of bk2. Relative cellulose content was decreased in leaves and stalks after the appearance of the brittle phenotype. The bk2 mutant had no significant changes in total lignin content but has qualitative changes in lignin. The appearance of brittleness occurs during later organ development coincident with known changes in lignin architecture. The brittle nature of bk2 may be due to improper interactions in the cellulose-lignin network in the secondary cell wall. Other Activities - Presented and participated in a weekly plant genetics journal club - Wrote detailed progress reports each semester for graduate committee members Show less MS Thesis: Maize Brittle Stalk2 Encodes a Cobra-like Protein Required for Organ Flexibility at Maturity Research Project The maize brittle stalk2 (bk2) is a developmentally-programmed mutant in which all parts of the plant become brittle at the 5-leaf stage. Consequently, bk2 plants snap easily, making it difficult to grow them without support. This project studied components of the cell wall to determine possible causes of the brittle phenotype of bk2 through cytological and… Show more MS Thesis: Maize Brittle Stalk2 Encodes a Cobra-like Protein Required for Organ Flexibility at Maturity Research Project The maize brittle stalk2 (bk2) is a developmentally-programmed mutant in which all parts of the plant become brittle at the 5-leaf stage. Consequently, bk2 plants snap easily, making it difficult to grow them without support. This project studied components of the cell wall to determine possible causes of the brittle phenotype of bk2 through cytological and biochemical approaches. I employed a variety of assays to determine the amounts of cell wall components, including monosaccharides, cellulose, and lignin. Cell wall composition and architecture were also examined with FTIR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and histology. The combination of these approaches provided a clearer understanding of the basis for the brittle nature of bk2. Relative cellulose content was decreased in leaves and stalks after the appearance of the brittle phenotype. The bk2 mutant had no significant changes in total lignin content but has qualitative changes in lignin. The appearance of brittleness occurs during later organ development coincident with known changes in lignin architecture. The brittle nature of bk2 may be due to improper interactions in the cellulose-lignin network in the secondary cell wall. Other Activities - Presented and participated in a weekly plant genetics journal club - Wrote detailed progress reports each semester for graduate committee members Show less