Bio
I got my B.S. and M.S. in 1994, and 1996, respectively, both from University of Illinois.
I was an Agriculture major interested in genetic engineering in crop plants, to make
them resistant to diseases, have higher yields, etc. I was the first person in my
immediate family to get their college degree. Over the next 13 years, I worked for
two agricultural biotech companies before returning to college to obtain my PhD from
Illinois State University in 2015. I went on to post-doc at Penn State University,
where I got to teach in addition to performing research. I then taught as a Visiting
Asst Prof at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN for one year before arriving here. I love
to hike, fish, camp, and play with my two young dogs.
Education:
- PhD, Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, 2015
- MS, Agronomy, University of Illinois, 1996
- BS, Agricultural Sciences, University of Illinois, 1994
My research interests lie in studying plant cell wall biosynthesis, and its modification
during development and as a response to stress; particularly aspects that make grasses
unique from other plant types. This research has applications in food, biofuels, and
textiles.
I love teaching genetics and molecular biology lecture and lab courses. I have experience
in teaching flipped classrooms as a Post-doctoral Researcher/Educator at Penn State.
I am excited to mentor students interested in research as well. I have experience
using active immersive learning experiences within CUREs.
Intellectual Content:
- CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing of the Model Grass Species Brachypodium distachyon (Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book-New), Teaching & Learning, Published, July (3rd
Quarter/Summer), 2020
- BdGT43B2 functions in xylan biosynthesis and is essential for seedling survival in
Brachypodium distachyon (Journal Article, Academic Journal), Discovery, Published, April (2nd Quarter/Spring),
2020
- BdCESA7, BdCESA8, and BdPMT utility promoter constructs for targeted expression to
secondary cell-wall-forming cells of grasses (Journal Article, Academic Journal), Discovery, Published, February, 2016
- pCoumaroylCoA:monolignol transferase (PMT) acts specifically in the lignin biosynthetic
pathway in Brachypodium distachyon (Journal Article, Academic Journal), Discovery, Published, March, 2014
- Stacking AsFMT overexpression with BdPMT loss of function enhances monolignol ferulate
production in Brachypodium distachyon (Journal Article, Academic Journal), Discovery, Published, May, 2021
- Altering the substitution and crosslinking of glucuronoarabinoxylans affects cell
wall porosity and assembly in Brachypodium distachyon (Journal Article, Academic Journal), Discovery, Published, February, 2024
Presentations:
- PMT, a Grass-Specific Acyltransferase Involved in Lignin Biosynthesis - International Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXIII - San Diego, CA - 2015
- The BdGT43B2 gene is involved in xylan biosynthesis and is necessary for seedling
survival in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon - Midwest Plant Cell Dynamics Meeting - Madison, Wisconsin - 2018
Courses Taught:
- MOLECULAR BIOLOGY - BIOL 4543 - Fall 2023
- SENIOR SEMINAR - BIOL 4621 - Fall 2023
- GENETICS LAB - BIOL 3114 - Spring 2023
- RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY - BIOL 4411 - Spring 2023
- GENETICS - BIOL 3114 - Spring 2023
- RESEARCH IN NATURAL SCIENCES - SCI 5533 - Fall 2022
- INTRO BIOLOGY I LAB - BIOL 1011 - Spring 2022
- DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY - BIOL 4103 - Spring 2022
- SELECTED TOPICS IN BIOLOGY - BIOL 4501 - Spring 2022
- MOLECULAR & CELLULAR BIOL LAB - BIOL 4232 - Fall 2021
- RESEARCH IN BIOLOGY - BIOL 4412 - Fall 2021
- TRENDS & ISSUES IN MOLEC BIOL - BIOL 4242 - Spring 2021
