Profile

• Time Zone

  Pacific

  
  
• Organization

  Dole Fresh Vegetables

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I study canopy management and plant population densities in raspberries and blackberries in order to manipulate yield, fruit quality, and timing of production. I also assess new plant selections and cultivars for commercial production potential and optimization for farming regions in the USA and Mexico.

  
  
• 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 had a fantastic summer intership in college with the Cornell Vegetable Extension Program where I had the opportunity to work with six researchers on their projects and do a research study of my own. I had so much fun and loved being a "plant detective"! I continued being a student research assistant after that and went into graduate school and my current plant science career.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What was the first science experiment you ever designed? How did it turn out?

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

  During my internship in college I conducted my first study trying to increase the phytate level in snap bean seeds. The hope being that the germinating seed and initial stages of plant growth would have access to this phosphorus, which is often a limiting nutrient in cold soils. It didn't work! Luckily, in science, finding negative results can often be just as insightful and useful as finding positive ones.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

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

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

  No matter what plant science question or problem I'm working on, I like to keep in mind the purpose of the organism. Plants "want" to reproduce! And that helps us because it often gives us edible plant parts aka human food. Understanding the environmental and biochemical factors that contribute to reproduction or instigate reproduction often helps me think though the question "How do I get this plant to do what I want it to do?"

  
  
• Availability

  I am NOT available, please temporarily remove me from the available mentor list

  
  
• 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

MSASD Project Team 29 Sarah Hulick Nov 2, 2016

Hi Team,

My name is Sarah Hulick and I will be your scientist mentor. Sorry I am a little late in replying, I didn't realize the team had started, but I'm happy to be here now! Before we jump in to germination, let me tell you a little…

more

Hi Team,

My name is Sarah Hulick and I will be your scientist mentor. Sorry I am a little late in replying, I didn't realize the team had started, but I'm happy to be here now! Before we jump in to germination, let me tell you a little about myself, I am a raspberry and blackberry research scientist, but when I'm not at work I also enjoy yoga, reading novels, traveling, and growing succulents and cacti at home. 

I think both ideas that you started with are good things to try, and really like the hypothesis you've chosen. What do you know about normal soil temperatures for seed germination? Use what you've seen in nature or in other experiments or experiences to think about when you see new growing. How much warmer do you think you should try for to test your hypothesis? How will you test the concept of "faster". Are you thinking height is most important of days until first leaf? or days until you see anything green above the soil line? 

What year are you guys in school? Does anyone have more questions?

 

ESU Celery Challenge Sarah Hulick Nov 2, 2016

Hi all,

I'm Sarah Hulick, I am a scientist mentor. I am a raspberry and blackberry research scientist for Dole Berry Company. I'm sorry I missed a couple days here as I was traveling but am very excited to work with you all and figure out…

more

Hi all,

I'm Sarah Hulick, I am a scientist mentor. I am a raspberry and blackberry research scientist for Dole Berry Company. I'm sorry I missed a couple days here as I was traveling but am very excited to work with you all and figure out how to make this celery bend. I think your original thought of a solution is good. To clarify your hypothesis, can you tell me what principals you think will be at play that the solution would be altering that would make the celery bend? what do we know about plants and what keeps them rigid that may helping us think about the opposite? 

When I'm not thinking about plant structure and agricultural research, I enjoy yoga, reading novels, growing succulents and cacti, and traveling. Hope to get to know you all better thoughout the project!

 

Sarah