Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  Cornell University

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  Plant science; plant breeding; horticulture; genetics; agriculture; nutrition; international development

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  When and why did you decide to go into a science career?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 1 here (300 words):

  I always enjoyed my science classes in middle and high school, but I think my freshman biology teacher really got me excited about a science career. He was very enthusiastic and passionate about teaching. It made me think of science in a bigger picture than just what you learn in the classroom. I found that a lot of my interests for potential careers aligned well with a science based career.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is best about being a scientist?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 2 here (300 words):

  The best think about being a scientist is getting to explore. You get to do research in a field that you are passionate about and make discoveries that can have major impacts on the world. There is always something new or different to explore so it new "gets old".

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

  
  
• Answer the question you selected for profile question 3 here (300 words):

  My favorite plant is squash. It is one of the vegetables I am working within my graduate studies. There is a ton of diversity within squash species that have implications for improving global nutrition and producing crops more adapted for climate change.

  
  
• How did you hear about PlantingScience?

  (not set)

  
  
• Capacity: How many teams at a time are you comfortable working with?

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

kescopenhaverspring2021 project 3 Marlie Lukach Mar 29, 2021

Hello! Hope everyone had a great weekend! I will be one of the scientist mentors working with you through "The Wonder of Seeds" project. I am very excited to be on this journey with you and help along the way.

I am a graduate…

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Hello! Hope everyone had a great weekend! I will be one of the scientist mentors working with you through "The Wonder of Seeds" project. I am very excited to be on this journey with you and help along the way.

I am a graduate student working on my PhD in plant breeding and genetics at Cornell University in upstate New York. I work with squash, and its relatives, like the pumpkins you carve at Halloween or the pickle you might enjoy as a snack. I also work with gourds from all over the world that are eaten, used in crafts, or even help when you aren't feeling well. I am hoping to travel to different countries to help with improving their own type of squash throughout my research projects. Do you have a favorite squash? I am a big fan of pumpkin pie!

Although I am studying plants, I am a big animal person! I grew up on a small farm with horses and chickens. I just got some chicks of my own that keep my house lively, especially with my two cats, Ramona and Petunia, wanting to visit the chicks. I am very big into horseback riding and have two of my own horses, Athena and Monty. My horses keep me busy but I do enjoy spending time outside with my friends. Do you have any spring/ summer activities you like to do?

I am excited to work with everyone and hope you have a great week!

~ Marlie