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- Currently I am working on a M.S. in the IG program: planning to graduate Spring or Summer 2009.
- Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
- Undergrad: BS in Genetics, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
- Extracurricular Activities: I take an active role in student government. I am the Vice President of the ISU
Graduate and Professional Student Senate. I usually spend my time off campus on my bike enjoying the many bike
paths in Ames or on the road to visit the neighboring towns. My time is also spent taking my 6 year old Labrador
out to enjoy the plethora of local parks or to take a swim in the Skunk River.
- When I came to Iowa State from St. Louis back in 2001 for my Bachelors degree, I fell immediately in love with central campus
and the architecture on campus. I graduated in 2004 and I began working in a lab on campus funded by the USDA-ARS.
After working as a techncian for almost three years in Agronomy Hall, my enthusiasm with the campus and faculty has
not waned. I began thinking about my career and where I wanted to be in 10 years. I decided that graduate school was
the only option and although I looked at other universities, the great opportunities Iowa State provided in the field of
soybean genetics stood out among the others.
- My studies have been focused on the molecular basis of abiotic stress of soybean, specifically Iron Deficiency Chlorosis (IDC) and the regulatory
characteristics of genes potentially associated with IDC. IDC is a major problem for soybean growers in the Mid-west and the effects are felt worldwide.
I feel that controlling diseases in local crop species will result in higher economic strength of Iowa farm families.
- I plan on finishing this Masters and pursuing a Ph.D. I want to then obtain a post-doc at another university or back with the USDA.
Eventually I would like to teach at a university and continue my research. I have been graced with opportunities at this university
and would like to provide the same to students for years to come.
