Research Area
The goal of my research is to evaluate whether vegetables infected by plant pathogens are more prone to contamination of noroviruses (NoV) and other enteric caliciviruses. It is hypothesized that vegetables infected with plant pathogens may permit more efficient attachment, internalization, dissemination, or persistence of NoV, as plant pathogen invasions frequently weaken plant defense responses and cause changes in extra- and intracellular environments. Results from my research will provide guidance for improved management of NoV contamination of fresh vegetables.
Education
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MS Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University, 2013
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BS Environmental Science (concentration: Plants); minor in Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Presentations
Does infection of leafy greens by plant pathogens influence the attachment, internalization, dissemination, and persistence of enteric caliciviruses? Department of Plant Pathology Spring Symposium, June 18, 2012.
2009 ASA-CSSA-SSA Conference, Poster Presentation: "Seed Coat Mottling in Food-Grade Soybean Cultivars in Response to Infection with BPMV and SMV."
Professional Experience
July 2010 - September 2012, Field Assistant for Cornell's Plant Breeding and Genetics Department: Aided PhD candidate's research for identifying QTLs in Gray Leaf Spot resistance in maize.
May 2008 - June 2011, Field and Lab Assistant in the Soybean Breeding and Genetics Program at Virginia Tech under Katy M. Rainey.
May 2009 - August 2009, Intern for Soils Database Entry Project at Virginia Tech: Entered pedon lab data in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Lab Database.
Memberships and Activities
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Plant Pathology Graduate Students Association
Spring Symposium Chair (2013)
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International Association of Food Protection
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American Phytopathological Society
