Updated: 15.06.

2013

ANNA PIELACH
Ballagh Road, Bushy Park, Galway, Ireland +353 87 21 76 338, pielach.anna@gmail.com, portfolio: annapielach.foliohd.com PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS Plant and landscape ecology Phytogeography and geobotany Filed bryology Plant histology, microscopy and imaging Science-art collaborations and outreach Computer graphics

EDUCATION PhD in Botany and Plant Science (June 2013) National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland PhD title: Cell wall biochemistry of hemiparasitism in Rhinanthus minor L. and Odontites vernus (Bellardi) Dumort.: interactions at haustorial interfaces and implications for local grassland biodiversity. My project explored how haustorial plant cell walls are implicated in the parasitic process. Biochemistry of cell walls at haustorial interfaces with host tissues was studied through immunocytochemistry and local grasslands communities of the two hemiparasitic species were surveyed and compared. MSc in Landscape, Heritage and Environment (2009) Queens University Belfast, UK MSc thesis title: Floristic implications of introducing coppicing as a long-term management practice in Straidkilly Nature Reserve, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland This project was commissioned by Ulster Wildlife through Queens Science Shop and awarded a Science Shop 1st prize. Flora of a hazel coppice in Glenarm Nature Reserve was compared with that of uncoppiced hazel woodland at Straidkilly National Nature Reserve to help inform about the possible effects of coppicing introduction at Straidkilly BA in Landscape Architecture (2008) Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria (Erasmus student exchange stay, October 2007January 2008) First Class Honours; top entrance exam result (400+ candidates), best final result in a class of 68 BA thesis title: Newtownbarry Woodland Garden Vegetation Management Plan In this project a phytosociological and dendrological survey of demesne parkland vegetation was carried out in Bunclody, Co. Wexford, Ireland and a vegetation management plan was developed.

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GRANTS AND AWARDS Society for Experimental Botany Travel Grant, May 2013: 95 towards the costs of travel to the SEB annual meeting in Valencia, Spain (36 July 2013) where I will be giving an oral presentation NUI, Galway Thomas Crawford Hayes Research Fund, September 2012: 3,200 3-month stipend and costs of carrying out immunogold labeling of lignins and correlative Raman spectroscopy at University of Aberystwyth to aid completion of a research publication NUI, Galway Thomas Crawford Hayes Travel Fund Scheme, March 2012: 1,985 to cover travel and registration expenses of Gordon Cell Wall Research Conference and Seminar (410 August 2012) at Colby College, MA, USA and an invited five-week visit to Skidmore College Microscopy Imaging Center (1331 August 2012), Saratoga Springs, NY. NUI, Galway Students' Union Enterprise Awards 2012: A Botanic Garden for Galway; 1st round award of 500 and a place in the final (as part of a 5-member team) Nature in the Urban Jungle Environmental Science Association of Ireland photography competition, 2012 3rd prize for a photograph Green Light Guerilla Science grant awarded by NUI, Galways Research Office, Art Gallery and Community Knowledge Initiative, 2011: 1800 to fund a botany-inspired art project Latch On! a collaboration with a ceramicist from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology commissioned for the Galway Science and Technology Fair 2011; also displayed at Proximity 2012 student exhibition at GMIT, the international Fascination of Plants Day (fascinationofplants.blogspot.com) at NUI, Galway Art Gallery, 18 May 2012 and at Volvo Ocean Race, Galway, July 2012. NUI, Galway Ryan Institute Research Day 2011 first prize for a poster: Pielach A, Popper ZA (2011) Native hemiparasites Whats on the menu? Immunocytochemical investigations of cell wall biochemistry at haustorial interfaces and implications for host quality Queens University Belfast Science Shop 2010 prize for MSc thesis 1st prize, 200 Irish Research Council EMBARK PhD funding 2009. RS/2009/1339. 72,009. ERASMUS exchange program scholarship from Warsaw University of Life Sciences 1080 Warsaw University of Life Sciences scholarship for high academic achievements 20052008 (reviewed annually) 6850 PLN in total Start po Indeks (2004) Warsaw University of Life Sciences award based on a pre-entrance exam test in biology (scored 99%) granting exemption from and a maximum score in the universitys entrance exam in biology; obtained top overall result in Landscape Architecture course entrance exams in biology and drawing (over 400 candidates)

KEY SKILLS, TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

FIELD BOTANY AND PLANT ECOLOGY

Professional memberships: Botanical Society of the British Isles, British Bryological Society, The Environmental Science Association of Ireland, Society for Experimental Botany, Invasive Species Ireland, Ulster Wildlife

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Skills: Vascular plant and bryophyte identification: Formal training: Sphagnum Identification Course (Co. Meath), Denyer Ecology 16 Oct 2011 Using keys to identify grasses, sedges and rushes (Co. Fermanagh) Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) 1819 July 2010; Identification of Irish Orchids (The Burren, Co. Clare), Tom Curtis 2627 June 2010; Bryophyte Identification for Habitat Survey (Co. Fermanagh), CIEEM 24 April 2010 Relevant undergraduate course modules: Botany course (Flora of Poland) 2 semesters Phytosociology course 3 semesters Dendrology course 3 semesters Ornamental plants course 3 semesters Formal recording: The 37th A Leroy Andrews Bryophyte and Lichen foray, Becket, Massachusetts, USA, 79 September 2012 Bryophyte (hectad) recording for the British Bryological Society Atlas project: Co. Limerick, 18 February 2012, Inishmore, 2122 June 2012, Co. Galway, 22 June 2011 BBS regional Dublin Group recording events (20122013) Identification and submission of new vice-county records from informal recording trips with colleagues (Orthotrichum diaphanum for H16 and Marchantia polymorpha ssp. ruderalis for H26 ) Botanical survey: - Relevs: applied in my PhD project and while assisting at undergraduate botany field courses, including a variety of habitat types (woodland, grassland, heathland, raised bog, blanket bog) - pin quadrats: applied in my BA and MSc thesis projects (a parkland and a native woodland vegetation survey, respectively) Botanical data handling and community analysis: - PcOrd: applied in my PhD project to carry out ordination analysis - MAVIS: applied in my PhD project to obtain life strategy scores for grassland relevs according to the
C-S-R triangular model

- Turboveg: applied in my PhD project to store my survey data as well as to access Irish Semi-natural Grassland Survey data provided by BEC consultants and the National Parks and Wildlife Service Community classification: - National Vegetation Classification
- classification of hemiparasite-rich grassland survey data (Co. Clare and Co. Galway, Ireland) in my PhD project - classification of woodland survey data (Co. Antrim, UK) for my MSc thesis project - classification of semi-natural fragments of parkland vegetation for my BA thesis project - assisting in relev recording at the 3rd year botany field course (Co. Cork and Co. Killarney, Ireland)

- Habitat Survey (Ireland): practiced through my own project work and academic teaching - Irish Semi-natural Grassland Survey
- applied to classify grassland survey data for my PhD project

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- Native Woodland Survey (Ireland)

- applied to classify parkland vegetation for my BA project and while assisting in relev recording at the 3rd year botany field course (Counties Cork and Killarney, Ireland)

- National survey of Upland Habitats (Ireland)

- applied while assisting in relev recording on the 3rd year botany field course (Counties Cork and Killarney, Ireland)

- Braun-Blanquet
- classification of my PhD, MSc and BA vegetation data (in parallel with other classification) - several undergraduate module projects within Poland involving terrestial and aquatic vegetation

Spatial data collection: land surveying (optical square, theodolite), Garmin handheld GPS - Garmin handheld GPS: used in my PhD to record relev coordinates - Grid reference recording: for vice county record submission to the BBS and during BBS recording events - Land surveying: - optical square (used in my undergraduate course work and my PhD project to mark out survey layout in the field) - theodolite (used in my undergraduate course work) Spatial data mapping and analysis: - ArcView GIS: importing GPS data and mapping relevs in my PhD and MSc projects - Auto CAD: - drawing landscape design plans (undergraduate course and freelance work) - creating site maps based on land surveying data (smaller sites)
PLANT MICROSCOPY

Professional memberships: European Microscopy Society, Royal Microscopy Society, Microscopical Society of Ireland Skills: Plant histology Plant immunocytochemistry at light microscopy (bright field, epifluorescence, confocal and Raman) and electron microscopy level including sample preparation Relevant training: invited training in immunogold labeling of plant cell walls with Prof. David Domozych at Skidmore Microscopy and Imaging Center, Skidmore College, NY, USA, 10 August20 September 2012) an immunocytochemistry workshop by Prof. Paul Knox, University of Leeds, UK at NUI Galway, Ireland; I was also the organizer of this workshop Raman spectroscopy Relevant training: invited training in Raman spectroscopy of plant cell walls with Dr Gordon Allison at Aberystwyth University, Wales, 1820 November 2012 Image analysis and enhancement software: ImageJ, Combine ZM, Adobe Photoshop

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ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN SKILLS

Skills: Free-hand drawing graphic software: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, AutoCAD, Google Sketchup portfolio available at annapielach.foliohd.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TEACHING

FIELD COURSES AND FIELD TRIPS: National University of Ireland, Galway assistant at botany field courses: - 3rd year botany field course to Kerry and West Cork (2013, 3 days) - 2nd year botany field course in the Burren (2011 and 2013, 6 days) - 2nd and 4th year trip to Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin (2 days) organiser of and a co-guide at a NUI, Galways Botany Society field trip to NE Poland in June 2011; liaised with several researchers in Poland to organise and co-guide trips to the Masurian region (QuercoFagetea and Vaccinio-Piceetea woodlands); Biebrza National Park (the most extensive natural floodplain in Europe; good examples of Alnetea glutinosae woodlands); Biaowiea National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Biaowiea Geobotanical Station; Podlasie Bug River Gorge Landscape Park (a region of exceptionally high plant and habitat diversity with high concentration of rare and threatened species) Queens University Belfast 1st year geology field trip to the Mourne Mountains and Murlough Bay (2009, 1 day) 1st year geography field trip to the Hill of Slane, Co. Meath (2009, 1 day) POSTGRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE BOTANY LECTURING: Designed and presented a lecture on native hemiparasitic plants to 3rd year botany students as part of BT318 Applications of Plant Science in Biotechnology and Ecology module (2012) Designed and presented a short talk on native hemiparasitic plants to 2nd year students as part of Plants, Humans and Environment module (2011) Designed and presented a 1h invited lecture on native hemiparasitic plants and their use in grassland biodiversity restoration as part of Irish Flora and Fauna module of MSc in Biodiversity and Land Use Planning at NUIG (2011) Designed and presented a 2h introductory lecture on Polish biogeography and phytosociology , preceding a field trip to NE Poland (2011) UNDERGRADUATE LABORATORY PRACTICAL TEACHING AND SUPERVISION: 1st year Botany lab floor leading (37 hours) - Introduced each lab session topic (PowerPoint presentation) and explained safety rules and practical tasks to be completed 5/7

- led a group of four demonstrators and managed a large (100) group of students to ensure the understanding and timely completion of lab tasks - tasks included: separation of chlorophyll pigments by paper chromatography, separation of flower anthocyanins by thin layer chromatography, dissection of a flower, DNA extraction, genetic crosses, staining of plant storage compounds, examination of pre-prepared slides as well as preparation of fresh slides (sectioning and staining) st 1 and 2nd year Botany & Plant Science lab demonstrating (62 hours): followed guidelines from the lecturer (2nd year) or floor leader (1st year) and ensured understanding and timely completion of lab tasks 4th year student guidance and assistance in practical lab techniques necessary for successful thesis project completion STUDENT SUPPORT: Tutor at 1st year Botany and Plant Science evening help sessions (6h): prepared and delivered own presentations and a mock lab exam revising and summarising subjects taught in labs and lectures (2010 and 2011) Tutor at 1st year Study Skills Week (10h): gave talks to large groups of 1st year science students explaining the structure of the course, discussed study and essay writing techniques followed by talking to students individually about their problems and concerns Worked with the NUI Galway student retention officer and gave individual lessons to 1st and 2nd year botany students experiencing subject-related difficulties PUBLIC EVENTS AND SCIENCE OUTREACH: Designed and delivered a 1h lecture on native trees and shrubs of Ireland and a 3h workshop on free hand landscape drawing as part of Botany Society Workshop Weekend in the Burren, which was open to the public (April 2011) Demonstrated at NUI Galway open days and Sea2Sky European Researchers Night in Leisureland, Salthill an event showcasing science to the public (20102012) Co-organiser and co-guide of an educational Esker Walk part of a Biodiversity Day in Brigits Garden, Roscahill, Co. Galway (16 May 2010) ART TEACHING: Free-hand drawing teacher at Grafit drawing school, Warsaw (Oct 2006July 2007); prepared students for Landscape Architecture entrance exam in free-hand drawing

HORTICULTURE, FLORISTRY AND LANDSCAPING WORK

Sales assistant, florist and gardening advisor at a variety of garden centres : covered a wide range of skills including plant propagation and maintenance, floral design, setting up and running stands at garden shows, sales and customer service, preparation of residential garden designs and plans for planning permission documentation - Evergreen Florist, Galway, County Galway, Ireland (6 June 2013present) - Milands Florist and Garden Centre, Mountbellew, Co. Galway, Ireland (2009, 3 months) - Euro Flowers (garden centre), Belfast, Northern Ireland (2009, 3 months) 6/7

- Bizzy Bees Florist and Garden Centre, Ferns, Co. Wexford, Ireland (2008, 6 months) - Camolin Potting Shed (rare perennial nursery), Camolin, Co. Wexford, Ireland (2008, 4 months) - Little Moon Garden Centre, Mullagh, Co. Clare, Ireland (2006, 3months) Newtownbarry pre-Victorian garden, Bunclody, Co. Wexford: substituted for the head gardener over the holiday period and guided tours of the garden (2007, 2 weeks) Landscape designers assistant at Q studio Wiktor Kuc, Warsaw, Poland; assistance with design and visualization projects, development of AutoCAD templates such as tree blocks (20062007, 10 months)

PUBLICATIONS Domozych DS, Srensen I, Popper ZA, Ochs J, Andreas A, Fangel J, Pielach A, Sacks C, Brechka H, RuisiBesares P, Willats W, Rose J. The dynamics and evolutionary implications of pectin metabolism and assembly in the cell wall of the charophycean green alga Penium margaritaceum. submitted to Plant Journal

MEDIA COVERAGE Wrote an article Latch On! Turning Science into Art featured in Issue 3 (Spring 2012) of NUI, Galways Research Matters Latch On! project mentioned in The Irish Times Wrote an article Looking for real life projects that can make an impact? for Queens Universitys Postgraduate Voice magazine (p.5)

COLLABORATORS Dr Piotr Sikorski, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland phytosociology Dr Gordon Allison, Aberystwyth University, Wales, UK Plant cell wall spectroscopy Prof. David Domozych, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA 4D imaging of plant cell walls

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