Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  Binghamton University

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I study speciation in the genus Mimulus, but am interested in most aspects of plant biology. I also have experience working as a technician in crop pest management research and plant breeding.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  Do you have advice for students about preparing for a science career?

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

  I think that as scientists we push students to pursue science heavy course loads. My advice would be to find a subject in the humanities that the student enjoys and take deep coursework in that subject. I don't mean to the exclusion of their scientific coursework, but they should study a subject beyond the introductory level. Students will benefit from this approach by becoming better at communication, an unfortunate shortfall in the scientific curriculum, I think. They will also learn to think in a different manner from their colleagues that take science courses to the exclusion of everything else; this will allow them to approach problems from different angles that others might not see. I hope they will also find a subject to enjoy that they can turn to when their science is not going well and they need a break.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

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

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

  I graduated with a degree in Plant Science, but because I didn't have a solid career plan and the job market was tough when I graduated, I started working as a carpenter. I worked in construction for almost 10 years, starting as a laborer learning the craft and becoming interested in sustainable building. I have build a log home and a net-zero home on my own. When I started the net-zero home, I planned to start my own construction company, but as I worked on the project, I began to think that if I kept on this career path, which I enjoyed, I might never get to work on plant research. I applied to, and got a job as a plant breeding technician and became interested in genetics. I am now about to start my PhD studying evolutionary genetics.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  I would have to say bear corn, Conopholis americana, for a couple reasons. Normally when I go botanizing, I just like to look at the plants when I come across them, but this is the first plant that I decided to go out and find, and I did! I also enjoy how it bucked the trope of plants as photosynthesizers and lost its capability to do so by stealing from other plants. It is a demonstration of how cool plants and evolution are!

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

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

shscasesweeneyspring2022 project 16 Josh Knecht Apr 29, 2022

Hello everyone,

Have you started your project yet? How is it going?

What do you find most interesting, or confusing about plants? 

Josh

 

Lil Cup Josh Knecht Apr 29, 2022

Hello Everyone,

How is your project going? Any updates?

Josh

Lil Cup Josh Knecht Apr 21, 2022

Hello everyone, 

Sorry I've been gone, I was doing field work and couldn't get to a computer very often. 

What fertilizers are you using for your experiments? What type of plants?

Josh