Profile

• Time Zone

  Pacific

  
  
• Organization

  Salk Institute for Biological Sciences

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I am interested in research areas of enhancing root systems for climate change, understanding the effect of plant growth hormones on certain genes, and improving plant-modified cell regeneration through tissue culture. I am a current research assistant at Salk Institute in San Diego where we characterize deep-rooting genes for carbon storage. I use clear cylinder media to see a 360 view of the root system architecture to detect which genes show deeper roots. I am also investigating how hormones affect those deep-rooting genes through tissue culture. Aside from root systems, I also investigate the right timing for expressing growth hormones to efficiently regenerate shoots from just a root cutting. My lab created an inducible transcription system where once the plant tissue senses a chemical signal (B-estradiol), the auxin response becomes expressed and promotes plant regeneration.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

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

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

  I learned that science takes endurance to solve a problem. Science requires intense research and replications, and most of all requires mistakes. Experiments may not turn out how you want them to and that is part of the process. Any result is a beneficial result that will contribute to the world of science. Failure is all part of the learning process. We are all learning and traveling through life’s complexity. With a strong support system and guidance for all identities, we can unite in leading-edge research to give back to the world.

  
  
• 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 pursued science because I want to contribute to society. There are so many uncertainties in this world, but that is why we are here to investigate and spread knowledge. Any knowledge that we find will greatly impact the world. I also joined science because I was able to express my interest in plants. Plant science is a giant community helping one another in elucidating plant systems.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  Can you describe your attitude toward science when you were in high school?

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

  In high school, I had VERY little knowledge of the molecular mechanisms behind plants. I could not even comprehend what scientists do in their day to day. All I could picture was a person in a lab coat mixing colorful chemicals together, but that is what's so special about science. We all start somewhere, which is why mentoring science is key for building the next generation of researchers for broader impact.

  
  
• 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

loscashmanwosspring2024 project 15 Juan Humberto Gonzalez Feb 29 at 03:16pm

There could be a few factors why seeds aren’t germinating. 
 

1) seed age: maybe the ones you have are old, but if that’s not the case, move to 2

2) maybe it’s environmental factors like watering, temperature,…

more

There could be a few factors why seeds aren’t germinating. 
 

1) seed age: maybe the ones you have are old, but if that’s not the case, move to 2

2) maybe it’s environmental factors like watering, temperature, etc. 

Forums online say that radish seeds take about 4-10 days to germinate. If you want to help improve the optimal environment for radishes, make sure the soil stays moist. A good tip would be to have a clear cover (whether it be clear plastic or Saran Wrap) and place on top of the soil to have a good humidity environment while they germinate (then remove once you see some seedlings). Radishes also germinate best at 55-75 degrees F, so make sure the soil is around the optimal temperature.

 

3) lastly, soil depth could be an issue. A trick I’ve learned growing plants is that seeds should only be buried twice the depth of the seed size thickness.  So if the seed size is about an inch thick, bury it down 2 inches. It’s better to have seeds too shallow than too deep because of the lack of oxygen.

 

let me know if you’ve gone through these steps and still have trouble. 

loscashmanwosspring2024 project 15 Juan Humberto Gonzalez Feb 23 at 08:05pm

That’s great! Be sure to record the amount of coffee fertilizer you put in! Also, make sure all other variables are the same in both subjects.

 

It’s interesting because although coffee grounds would provide nutrients, there…

more

That’s great! Be sure to record the amount of coffee fertilizer you put in! Also, make sure all other variables are the same in both subjects.

 

It’s interesting because although coffee grounds would provide nutrients, there are sources where they say it could also stunt growth.

 

Im interested to see how your experiment goes!

loscashmanwosspring2024 project 15 Juan Humberto Gonzalez Feb 20 at 07:46pm

Hello Project 15! I am here to help! Dont be afraid to reach out! I can help with ideas, discussion, next steps, presentation, etc. Go at it!