As

a child, I remember wanting to be a waitress when I grew up; however, as

I grew older I developed loftier goals. I was inspired to pursue a career in science by
attending summer programs and Girl Scout programs that focused on exposing girls
to the STEM field. The CEISMC program at Georgia Institute of Technology offers
summer programs and I attended a special program for girls, called Women in
Science and Engineering. In high school my biology teacher encouraged my to enroll
in a dual enrollment general biology class at the local community college and I
enjoyed it so much that I made the decision to continue with biochemistry and
molecular biology in college. Throughout my undergraduate career, I have enjoyed
my biology and chemistry course, specifically cellular and molecular biology,
organic chemistry, and biochemistry, which reaffirmed my decision to enter a field
that specializes in all of these.
I joined the Stratmann lab group in Spring 2016. My initial project was to
provide research assistance for a former undergraduate student on her project that
focused on the sensitivity of different Nicotiana and Solanum species to fatty acid-
amino acid conjugates (FACs) found in the oral secretions of herbivores. We
concluded that, while N. benthamiana and N. tabaccum were sensitive to FACs,
N.sylvestris, N. alata, N. knightiana and all Solanum species tested did not have
sensitivity to FACs. My current project focuses on the effect of Nicotiana species on
the growth rate and mortality of Manduca sexta, or the tobacco hornworm. We
hypothesize that FAC-sensitive species are better defended against herbivory. This
will be investigated by observing M. sexta growth that are allowed to feed on one of
each species. I have gained much from my time working in the lab. I learned
techniques that will aid me in my graduate studies such as gel electrophoresis and
chemiluminescence assays. I wrote my first grant proposal and designed an
experiment through the Magellan program, which offers undergraduates the
opportunity to completely fund their own research. I am also planning to
disseminate my findings at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Society for
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, part of the Experimental Biology conference,
which is an opportunity to present my research in a professional setting and
connected with colleagues. Additionally, working with Dr. Stratmann has allowed
me the opportunity to graduate with leadership distinction in research that
recognizes my efforts to extend my learning beyond my coursework.
My long-term goals include earning my Ph.D. and then working within the
government or the private sector. While I am interested in continuing my study in
plant research, I also plan to investigate other specialties as well, which is an
opportunity that drew me to UC Davis. The Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and
Developmental Biology Group stood out to me as a program that places value in the
diversity of interdisciplinary research, which essential for an applicant like myself
who is interested in learning about a variety of different specialties. I could see
myself working on the increasingly detrimental problem of antibiotic resistance or
contributing to the expanding research into the human microbiome. I could also see
myself working within food development and continuing with plant research to
bioengineer plants that are more suitable for our changing planet. Continuing my
education offers me the opportunity to explore these different specialties and
research opportunities. For example, I am interested in working with Charles Gasser
and his research with plant evolution through ovule development. I am also
interested in working with Katherine Ralston and her research on amoebic
trogocytosis and host-pathogen interactions with Entamoeba histolytica.