Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  Indiana University - South Bend

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  My research interests are in plant ecology, population genetics, and systematics. In one project, we explore how insect pollinators affect reproduction in hibiscus species from East Africa and use that information to help understand how loss of pollinators might affect the health of those plant populations. In a second project, we study genetic differences among species of legume trees from North America and Asia and use that genetic information to help understand how and where those trees evolved over time. Last, I have been working with colleagues in my department to develop two wetland natural areas on our campus that we use for smaller research and teaching projects.

  
  
• Do you have previous experience in mentorship or educational outreach? Please list here (200 words)

  Yes, I have worked with PlantingScience since 2005, and I have worked on educational outreach with local gardening and other botanical organizations in my community. I have also started a Botany Club on our campus that is ver active in community and campus projects involving the removal of invasive species, growing and planting native wildflowers, and hosting hikes to local natural areas.

  
  
• 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 become a PLANT scientist just before my third year of college, when I was inspired by the teacher of a summer field botany course that took me to lakes and forests of northern Minnesota. He was a superb teacher who helped me to see just how cool plants really are.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What lessons have you learned in your career about how science works?

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

  The main lesson I have learned is that science works best when scientists cooperate with each other and share their ideas. All of my research projects have been much better when I plan and do them with the help of other scientists. We all share the work, and we all share the ideas. It's great to have your own ideas, but you need to test them out on other people and give them the chance to make the ideas better.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is the coolest thing you have discovered or learned about plants?

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

  None of the Above

  
  
• Videoconference Ability

  Yes

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

  1

  
  

Recent Posts

C Fern Spore Project Andrew Schnabel May 22, 2023

Hi Team -

Glad to hear that you are nearing the end of your project.  I've looked at your two excellent photos, and from what I can tell, you have photographed some very large gametophytes.  The photo uploaded by Mia, however, might…

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Hi Team -

Glad to hear that you are nearing the end of your project.  I've looked at your two excellent photos, and from what I can tell, you have photographed some very large gametophytes.  The photo uploaded by Mia, however, might show one very young sporophyte, or at least something that looks a bit like a sporophyte and is in the correct location.  It also might be two parts of the gametophyte overlapping, so perhaps not a sporophyte.  Mia's photo also has a super view of archegonia - many of them.  I've uploaded the photo (perhaps twice - sorry about that!), with arrows showing what I mean.  The blue arrow points to a possible sporophyte (or overlapping parts of the gametophyte) and the red arrows show archegonia.  The photo also clearly shows lots of rhizoids, and also shows how cell size changes from smaller cells in the younger parts of the gametophyte to larger, more elongated cells in the older parts.

It was a pleasure to work with you this spring.  Best wishes for a successful completion to your term.

Best regards,

Andrew Schnabel

C Fern Spore Project Andrew Schnabel May 8, 2023

Very exciting!  I see antheridia mentioned in your notes.  Did you also find archegonia?  Have you done any reading about how the sperm cells find the egg cells?

Best regards,

Andrew Schnabel

buttered corn starch Andrew Schnabel May 5, 2023

Hi Team -

It's great to see so much growth in your seedlings.  What do the results say about you hypotheses?  Which soil type turned out to give the best results? 

Best regards,

Andrew Schnabel