Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  Auburn University

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  My primary focus is in the conservation of a plant by determining the genetic diversity across its range. I focus on an Alabama native sunflower species that ranges across 13 counties but appears to have pretty isolated populations. I am comparing these populations back to a genome that I am building for my species.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  My favorite plant is Jamesianthus alabamensis. It is an Alabama endemic sunflower species that grows along creeks in northern and central Alabama. Not only is it my study species, but it grows along the Coosa River, a watershed that is near and dear to my heart ever since I started working for the Coosa Riverkeepers, an organization devoted to promoting the river and helping the people that live there. I also love how pretty Jamesianthus is because it has bright yellow flowers and fun leaves with "ears" at its base.

  
  
• 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 first started college thinking that I wanted to be a veterinarian because I had worked with different animals almost my whole life up unto that point. During my time in college I started learning about conservation and thought it was really cool, but it wasn't until I got into my plant classes that I realized I wanted to work to conserve plants.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

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

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

  I would say that the most important thing for me was to get to know my professors and get into an undergraduate lab early on. By consistently putting effort in and showing a passion for my work, my professor was able to help put me in contact with other awesome professors that would help me get to where I wanted to be as a scientist.

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

  2