Profile

• Time Zone

  Eastern

  
  
• Organization

  University of Massachusetts - Amherst

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I am interested in biodiversity, in particular, why biodiversity appears to be unequally distributed across the tree of life. I focus on the genetic and developmental basis of phenotypic diversity in plants, especially in the context of divergence during adaptation or speciation. For my dissertation, I examined the genetic architecture and developmental differences associated with floral divergence in a florally diverse genus (Jaltomata, Solanaceae). For my post-doctoral research, I am examining the developmental genetic basis of trait variation in maize and temperate grasses (Pooideae).

  
  
• 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):

  As a child, I was always curious about the natural world, but it wasn't until late high school and early college that I began to seriously consider a career in science. During that time, I became more aware of the full extent of industrial environmental contamination in my hometown and surrounding area, which really underscored the importance of preserving ecosystem functioning and general biodiversity for me. I initially planned to become a conservation scientist, but have since shifted to basic science, examining the mechanistic basis of how diversity is generated and maintained.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  (not set)

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

  (not set)

  
  
• Profile Question 3

  (not set)

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

  (not set)

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

  2

  
  

Recent Posts

Genetic Plant Growing Project Jamie Lynn Kostyun Apr 1, 2021

Hi Team, thanks for the updates! Those plants are looking good - and I'm glad that you're seeing variation in them. Are you taking notes of which plants in which treatments have certain types of traits? Have you thought about how you…

more

Hi Team, thanks for the updates! Those plants are looking good - and I'm glad that you're seeing variation in them. Are you taking notes of which plants in which treatments have certain types of traits? Have you thought about how you might compare these traits between treatments?

Foundations of Genetics: Team Broccoli Jamie Lynn Kostyun Mar 29, 2021

Hi Team, to answer your previous questions - 

1. Plants roots rely on a process called osmosis to absorb water, where the water molecules pass into the roots without the plant having to expend any energy. This only works because there is a…

more

Hi Team, to answer your previous questions - 

1. Plants roots rely on a process called osmosis to absorb water, where the water molecules pass into the roots without the plant having to expend any energy. This only works because there is a large difference in concentrations between the soil and plant roots. If that concentration gets out of balance, the plant won't get as much water - so using sugary drinks might affect how much water the plant takes up. The extra sugar might also damage the plant by providing food to harmful microbes in the soil. So overall, I wouldn't recommend watering with sugary drinks!

2. Using a different fertilizer likely wouldn't matter as long as your plants are healthy. But if they develop certain deficiencies (like nitrogen), the type of fertilizer makes a big difference! Applying too much fertilizer can also damage your plants.

3. Changing the wattage of light bulbs shouldn't matter too much, as long as your plants are still getting enough light. Some plants require light over a certain amount of time during the day to flower (for example, some grain crops require 16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark each day to produce grain), but changing the light level shouldn't impact normal growing too much as long as they're still getting some.

Foundations of Genetics: Team Broccoli Jamie Lynn Kostyun Mar 9, 2021

Hi Team, thanks for uploading your data - it looks like Group A is doing much better overall! Will you measure other traits as well, or just focus on growth?

 

And you can call me Jamie or Dr. Kostyun (either is fine!), thanks for…

more

Hi Team, thanks for uploading your data - it looks like Group A is doing much better overall! Will you measure other traits as well, or just focus on growth?

 

And you can call me Jamie or Dr. Kostyun (either is fine!), thanks for checking Timothy!