Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I research the fungi living inside and interacting with plants. My past research topics included looking at the fungi that live in roots known as mycorrhizae, helping plants uptake nutrients. Currently, I work on pathogenic fungi found inside leaves to understand their role in maintaining tropical diversity.

  
  
• 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 the long leaf pine. This pine species used to be the dominant tree species of the southeastern United States. These plant have multiple adaptations that allow them to thrive in a fire-dependent ecosystem. Long leaf pines grow in savannah that have high levels of biodiversity and carnivorous plants. This species is threatened due to over-logging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and a reduction of fire that these ecosystems need.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is best about being a scientist?

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

  My favorite thing about being a scientist, particular an ecologist in the ability to work on different tasks in different environments each day. One day I could be collecting leaf samples from the tropical forest canopy and the next I am in the lab identifying fungi. Everyday is filled with a new adventure and that keeps me excited and interested in my work.

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  What is tough about being a scientist?

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

  One of the biggest issues I have in science is understanding when to reduce and simplify. As scientists, we want to ask complex questions that provide vast information. We also have hundreds of questions about a specific topics and side projects that we would like to complete. I have had to learn how to reduce my research questions down to testable and clear hypothesis that I can build on in the future. You must also be okay with knowing not every question will be answered and trust that collaborators in the field will build upon your research.

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

  3

  
  

Recent Posts

shscasesweeneyaftwspring2024 project 3 Blaine Martin Apr 9 at 08:43am

Your research question is a lot better and more focused. This makes your project feasible. Here are some things to make your question even better and start thinking about research variables. 

How much red, blue and green light do plants need…

more

Your research question is a lot better and more focused. This makes your project feasible. Here are some things to make your question even better and start thinking about research variables. 

How much red, blue and green light do plants need to receive to positively influence their growth 

- how might we make the bolded words more specific so we understand what you will be measuring

- how much (days, hours, intensity) and growth (height, branches, diameter, etc.)

- Also think about how might the corn perform differently with each colored light and keeping time the same (what pigment do plants need for photosynthesis) or even compared to a control of normal light (https://youtu.be/dwz3qozDiyI?si=hIfFzEeNzflKkbye)

shscasesweeneyaftwspring2024 project 3 Blaine Martin Apr 2 at 08:25am

In my research, I work with the fungi that lives in and affects plants. There is a lot of agricultural uses of root-associated fungi in corn production. I think it is important to think about experiments in the lab/greenhouse and a natural…

more

In my research, I work with the fungi that lives in and affects plants. There is a lot of agricultural uses of root-associated fungi in corn production. I think it is important to think about experiments in the lab/greenhouse and a natural system might be different. This allows better methodology creation and reflection/discussion. How do you think corn might grow differently if it had its fungal partner? Do you notice any other differences between the natural system that may alter your results?

shscasesweeneyaftwspring2024 project 3 Blaine Martin Apr 2 at 08:16am

Yes so a plant is an organism that has a special type of cell similar to animals but they use chlorophyll to produce energy (photosynthesis).

Your research questions look good but I will give you some feedback. 

1. Think about what is a…

more

Yes so a plant is an organism that has a special type of cell similar to animals but they use chlorophyll to produce energy (photosynthesis).

Your research questions look good but I will give you some feedback. 

1. Think about what is a background question and general questions that guide the research vs a "Research Question"

2. Research questions in science are very specific and testable. For example, "How does salinity affect plant growth?". This question included the independent (salinity) and dependent variable (growth). 

3. You can have multiple research questions if you are doing multiple experiments

 

Specific notes:

1. How long can plants go without light or water?

    Make sure to include specific variables that can be measured (death, loss of leaves, wilting, etc. instead of "go") and be clear. 

2. How do certain types of soil affect the growth of different types of plants?

Remember to be specific and state variables that can be tested. What in the soil would affect plant growth directly that may be different depending on soil brand or type? Also, the name for different types of plants is a species.