Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  Middle Tennessee State University

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I am interested in all things botany.

  
  
• 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 decided to go into science when I took AP Biology as a senior in high school. My AP Biology teacher took us on a trip to Land Between the Lakes where we got to experience biology in a very hands-on setting with many different Forestry Service employees. It was then and there that I realized my absolute love for the forest and plants! My biology teacher only encouraged that love by involving the outside world in our classroom.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  My favorite plant is the American Sycamore tree. The bark pattern on the tree peels at the top to reveal a beautiful pearly white bark underneath. The leaves are absolutely huge and velvety. They are meant to represent strength, protection, divinity, and eternity. The oldest American Sycamore is in Connecticut and said to be anywhere from 200 to 300 years old!

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is best about being a scientist?

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

  The best thing about being a scientist is that you can never run out of questions. Science allows for constant curiosity and the ability to find new knowledge around every corner. There is always something new to learn!

  
  
• Help represent the outreach efforts of your societies. Please click all those organizations you are a member of:

  (not set)

  
  
• In addition to English, I am comfortable communicating with students in the following languages:

  (not set)

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

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

camsdavispgstfall2020 project 3 Rebekkah Riley Nov 17, 2020

Thank you so much!! I have enjoyed working with you all as well! You are all very creative and intelligent people. I hope your project is working out well! I can't wait to see!!

camsdavispgstfall2020 project 3 Rebekkah Riley Nov 6, 2020

It seems like you guys are already getting some rot! Are you hypothesizing about a certain potato damage that will get more rot? Or maybe one is getting more rot than you expected? It seems the cut potatoes have maybe callused over and the potatoes…

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It seems like you guys are already getting some rot! Are you hypothesizing about a certain potato damage that will get more rot? Or maybe one is getting more rot than you expected? It seems the cut potatoes have maybe callused over and the potatoes with more inside exposure to the air system are actually rotting or molding.

Have you researched the differences between soft rot and other types of disease that may be setting in? Or have you made note of the primary signs that come with molds setting into your potatoes? It might be possible that soft rot doesn't develop but rather other types of molds or disease that was already present in the potato, and now it is able to develop faster because of the sight of damage.

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/potatoes/soft-rot-diseases-potatoes

I recommend looking at this link! It has some great signs and pictures of what you guys could be looking for. 

 

Great job so far! I look forward to seeing your results! If you can send me some pictures I would love to see your potatoes!

camsdavispgstfall2020 project 3 Rebekkah Riley Nov 3, 2020

Hi guys!

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. I don't think there is a method to speed up your process unless you can keep the potatoes next to each other like in a box or bag. They will release chemicals that will cause potatoes…

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Hi guys!

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you. I don't think there is a method to speed up your process unless you can keep the potatoes next to each other like in a box or bag. They will release chemicals that will cause potatoes around them to rot faster. 

What does the rotting look like? Does it look like mold? Soft rot and is browning in color and can include a white-green mold that is similar to mold that occurs on fruit because of the high sugar/starch content in the potatoes. 

How long are you going to leave your potatoes to rot?

Let me know what's up! I'm glad things seem to be progressing.