Profile

• Time Zone

  Central

  
  
• Organization

  Rainbow Treecare

  
  
• Role

  Scientist Mentor: I will mentor teams of students online

  
  
• Research Interests (300 words)

  I have always been interested in genetics and biology. Plant genetics and breeding is an incredibly fascinating field to me, from the process of creating hybrid varieties to genetic modification. I also find the physiology of plants to be very intriguing especially how it ties in with the plant breeding and genetic modification process. All plants can potentially have interesting aspects. I’ve worked with two-week old Venus Flytrap plantlets in test tubes and, on the opposite side of the spectrum, one-hundred-year-old oak trees in someone’s backyard. I would like to learn and work more with annual or herbaceous plants to try something new. Plants native to environments outside of Minnesota, my current state of residency. Tropical and desert plants would both be unique challenges to learn about, physiologically.

  
  
• Profile Question 1

  What is tough about being a scientist?

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

  The toughest part about being a scientist is also the greatest part in my opinion. In science, you ask questions and then you conduct research to find answers but often you only find more questions. This is one of the most frustrating and aggravating things about science because the work put into researching can be tedious, time-consuming and result in pointlessness. Although this endless cycle of questions means that you can always learn something new from science. It is a neverending river of discovery and knowledge that is constantly changing with the world as time progresses and evolves and we simply need to keep up with it and try not to drown.

  
  
• Profile Question 2

  What is your favorite plant? Why?

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

  My favorite plant is the Ginko tree. It is essentially a living dinosaur plant and it is the only species of of it's kind, which is why it has such a unique leaf shape. It also has the ability to change sexes when in times of stress. It usually changes from male to female in order to continue to live and reproduce. It is also very tolerant of salty and compacted soils, making it a great street tree.

  
  
• 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):

  The coolest thing I learned about plants is that secondary xylem in woody species is made up of dead cells. It is a well-known fact but it is so fascinating to me because this means that a significant portion of trees and other woody plant is dead but still fully functional. Furthermore, it relies on these dead cells to transport water to living tissue, which is mind-blowing to me.

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

  2