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Allison Paolucci
PhD Student My research interests broadly focus on understanding how leaf endophytes influence plant secondary chemistry and physiology. During my PhD at UofL, I plan on taking a systems-based approach to investigate the effects of fungal endophytes in “chemically interesting” agricultural plants, such as cannabis. In 2020, I earned my master’s degree at Ohio University studying the effects of abiotic stressors on plant physiology and nutrient transport. Additionally, I am dedicated to promoting the involvement and success of underrepresented and underserved communities in science and research. |
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Kylea Garces
PhD Candidate (Emery Lab) After completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon, I joined the doctoral program at University of Louisville in 2018. Broadly, my research focuses on the ways fungal-plant interactions can shape community outcomes as well as the effects global change can have on shifting the direction and magnitude of these interactions to further alter community dynamics. My current dissertation research asks how resource addition in the form of nitrogen deposition alters fungal root endophyte community responses within American beachgrass. Furthermore, I aim to address how changes within the belowground fungal community may impose aboveground responses of the dune grass community on the shores of Lake Michigan. I also am interested in science pedagogy as a tool to breakdown learning barriers and increase inclusivity within the sciences. |
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Haley Sage
Undergraduate Researcher As an undergraduate researcher, I hope to explore many different research techniques and areas of biology. Currently, I am working on community assembly of root endophytic fungi. I am learning to subculture, make plates, and how to perform PCR. |
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Hillary Payne
Undergraduate Researcher As an undergraduate researcher, I am hoping to learn new lab techniques and research methods. I have been learning how to make plates and culture fungi and am hoping to learn how to perform PCR in the future. |
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Alexa Comissiong
Undergraduate Researcher I am an undergraduate in the Christian Lab. I am majoring in Biology (Pre-Med) and hope to attend medical school. This semester I started my individual project focusing on the growth rate on fungi dependent on a variability of resources. I hope to continue this project so that I can learn more about the field of ecology. |