MPS Students
Current MPS Students
| Austin J. Alt Email: austin.alt@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Mark Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Austin graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in the Biological Sciences (Genetics, Cell, & Developmental Biology) and has since joined the MPS program as a PhD student. While at ASU, his undergraduate research was focused primarily on plastid genome evolution in Cactaceae - specifically concerning patterns of ndh gene loss and chloroplast genome rearrangement in organisms such as Carnegiea gigantea (aka saguaro) and it’s phylogenetic neighbors. Current interests encompass improving society through deeper molecular understandings and genetic manipulation of plants, in order to harness natural biological processes for innovative functional applications. This includes objectives such as bioremediation and crop development, as well as metabolic engineering to enhance bioenergy and medicine. |
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 | Jannelle Andrews Email: adrienne.andrews@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Mark Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Greetings! I’m Jannelle Andrews, and I joined Dr. Mark Lange’s lab in Fall 2022, where I delve into the substrate specificity and evolutionary activity of two pivotal enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of menthol and menthone in peppermint. My research focuses on understanding how these enzymes interact with various monoterpene substrates and how their activity has evolved over time. Additionally, I am part of the NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program and work as a Group Fitness Instructor at the University Recreation Center. When I'm not unraveling the mysteries of enzymes, you can find me hiking, hanging out with my dog, or tending to my ever-expanding collection of house plants. 2024 Phytochemical Society of North America conference poster "Investigating the Substrate Specificity of (+)-Pulegone Reductase in the Monoterpenoid Pathway of Mentha piperita", Jannelle Andrews, Narayanan Srividya, Iris Lange, Bernard Markus Lange. |
| Chase Baerlocher Email: chase.baerlocher@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: David Crowder Department: Department of Entomology |
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 | Jeremy Boutin Email: jeremy.boutin@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Mark Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Hello! My name is Jeremy Boutin, PhD student in Dr. Lange’s lab. I joined WSU and the Lange lab in Fall of 2021, where I’ve been studying the structural differences in terpene and cannabinoid synthase proteins that determine their end-product stereospecificity in Cannabis sativa. While at WSU I plan to utilize my passion for science communication, protein biochemistry, and cannabis science to design and teach my own undergraduate class called, “The Biochemistry of Cannabis”. Aside from school I enjoy baking, watching reality tv and spending time with my cat. Involvement: Molecular Plant Sciences DEI Committee: Founding Member (2022-Present) NIH Protein Biotechnology Training Program: President (2023-2024), Speaker Committee Chair (2023-2024) Graduate and Profession Student Association: College Representative (2023-2024), Senator (2022-2023) iPBS/Biotechnology Graduate Peer Mentor (2023-2024) Awards: 2024 G.I.E.S.O. LGBTQIA2S+ Student Scholarship, 2024 GPSA Excellence Award: College Representative of the Year, 2024 WSU Plant Science Symposium: Poster Competition Winner, 2023 The Worthy, DePauw & Wang Service Leadership Award, Publications: A.A. Griffith,J. Boutin, W. Holmes, A highly efficient, one-step purification of the Hsp70 chaperone Ssa1, Protein Expression and Purification (2018). |
| Corbin Chapman Email: corbin.t.chapman@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Camille Steber Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |
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| Tyler Chapman Email: tyler.chapman@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Helmut Kirchhoff Department: School of Biological Sciences |
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 | Agasthya Baby Chenna Prakash Email: a.chennaprakash@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Philip Bates Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Hi! My name is Agasthya Baby Chenna Prakash, and I joined the MPS program under Dr. Philip D. Bates' lab in the fall of 2022. My research focuses on investigating the mechanisms of triacylglycerol biosynthesis and turnover in wild-type Camelina sativa and lines engineered to produce medium-chain fatty acids for biofuel. I received my Master of Science in Industrial Microbiology from Sri Venkateswara University in India, where I studied the production and purification of rhamnolipids from Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2297 using a solid-state fermentation process. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and playing both indoor and outdoor games. Posters: 2024 (Poster): “Evaluation of the role of Camelina sativa SDP1 on the accumulation of total oil and medium chain fatty acid in engineered lines”. International symposium on plant lipids (ISPL), Nebraska, Lincoln Awards: 2023 Clarence “Bud” Ryan scholarship recipient |
 | Kamryn Clements Kamryn Clements Email: kamryn.clements@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Cynthia Gleason Department: Plant Pathology Hello, my name is Kamryn Clements and I joined the MPS program in fall of 2023. Shortly after starting the program, I joined the Gleason lab where I am currently working on calcium-dependent protein kinases in potato to improve the crop's immune response to plant-parasitic root-knot nematodes. Along with that, I am working on altering the sterol composition of Arabidopsis thaliana to see how this affects the nematodes. I received my Bachelor's of Science in Integrated Plant Sciences from Washington State University with a major in Agricultural Biotechnology and a minor in Horticulture. I enjoy hiking and photographing the hikes with my camera, as well as fly fishing and swimming. I also enjoy growing houseplants, specifically carnivorous sundews. 2023 Stanton & Lana Multicultural Opportunity Scholarship Recipient 2021 Wittenbach Memorial Scholarship Recipient 2021 Cox Family Scholarship Recipient |
 | Daphne Crum Email: daphne.crum@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Jacob Blauer Department: Horticulture Hello! My name is Daphne, and I joined the Blauer Lab in the Fall of 2023. My research addresses potato starch profiling, wound-healing biochemical pathways, and genetics as they relate to post-harvest challenges in the potato industry. I received a Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Genomics from UC Davis. I conducted research in the Blanco Lab at UC Davis, where I worked on prolonging shelf-life and other quality attributes in fresh market tomatoes using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to target pectin-degrading enzymes highly expressed in tomato pericarp tissue cell walls during ripening. Outside of lab and field work, I like to bake and swim, and I enjoy going to the Moscow Farmer’s Market on the weekends! |
| Ananta Devkota Email: ananta.devkota@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2024 |
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| Abigail Eaker Email: abigail.eaker@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2019 Advisor: Maren Friesen Department: Plant Pathology |
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| Joel Essien Email: joel.essien@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Sanja Roje Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Joe earned his B.S in General Agriculture at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana in 2020. His undergraduate research was focused on the effect of nodulation on yield of soybean which aimed at gaining knowledge towards the identification and breeding of selected soybean genotypes with effective nodulation to achieve higher yield in Ghana. In August 2021, he joined the MPS program under the mentorship of Dr. Sanja Roje. His research focuses on plant metabolism and biochemistry, with the aim to elucidate the participatory role of carbon one (C1) metabolism in maintaining rates of photorespiration (C2) and detoxifying photorespiratory intermediates to better understand the carbon economy of plants, minimize energy, and carbon losses. |
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| Augusta Finzel Email: augusta.finzel@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Tarah Sullivan Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |
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| Isabella Gabriel Email: isabella.gabriel@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 |
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| Andrew Gonzalez Email: andrew.gonzalez1@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: rotating Department: TBD |
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| Trinity Hanning Email: trinity.hanning@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2024 |
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 | Vincent James Email: vincent.james@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor:Dr. Michael Knoblauch Department: School of Biological Sciences My research focuses on using electron and confocal microscopy to perform functional and structural investigations of plasmodesmata. I received my B.S. in biochemistry from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. I serve as vice president of the Molecular Plant Sciences (MPS) Graduate Student Organization and the student liaison for the MPS Curriculum Committee. I evaluate stream health for the Palouse Conservation District through their volunteer scientist program. I enjoy hiking, nature photography, and reading science fiction. Publications: James, V., Peters, W.S., 2023. Cell wall is a dead metaphor. Journal of Plant Physiology 290, 154099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154099 Howell, A.H., Christensen, A.H., James, V., Vasina, V.V., Jensen, K.H., Stone, H.A., Peters, W.S., Knoblauch, M., [in preparation]. Plasmodesma conductivity depends on electric charge. Presentations: James, V., February 2024. Plasmodesma conductivity depends on electric charge, poster presentation. Molecular Plant Sciences Symposium. Pullman, WA. Awards: 2024 Vincent Franceschi Graduate Research Fellowship in Plant Biology 2024 Registered Student Organization Excellence Award |
| Eric Jaramillo Email: eric.jaramillo@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2024 |
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| Nan Jiang Email: nan.jiang@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2024 |
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| Brandon Johnson Email: brandon.johnson4@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Philip Bates Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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 | Se Eun Jung Email: seeun.jung@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Andrei Smertenko Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Publications First author “Overexpression of OsERF83, a Vascular Tissue-Specific Transcription Factor Gene, Confers Drought Tolerance in Rice.” Jung, S.E.; Bang, S.W.; Kim, S.H.; Seo, J.S.; Yoon, H.-B.; Kim, Y.S.; Kim, J.-K. International Journal of Molecular Science (2021) 22, 7656. [PDF] “OsNAC17, transcription factor, regulates lignin biosynthesis that confers drought tolerance.” Jung, S.E.; Kim, T. H.; Shim, J.S.; Bang, S.W.; Yoon, H.B.; Oh, S.H.; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. Plant Science (2022) Co-author “Efficiency of Recombinant CRISPR/rCas9-Mediated miRNA Gene Editing in Rice.” Chung, P.J.; Chung, H.; Oh, N.; Choi, J.; Bang, S.W.; Jung, S.E.; Jung, H.; Shim, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. International Journal of Molecular Science (2020) 21, 9606. [PDF] “Transcriptional activation of rice CINNAMOYL-CoA REDUCTASE 10 by OsNAC5, contributes to drought tolerance by modulating lignin accumulation in roots.” Bang, S.W.; Choi, S.; Jin, X.; Jung, S.E.; Choi, J.W.; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. Plant Biotechnology Journal. (2021) [PDF] “DROUGHT-INDUCED BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO ACID AMINOTRANSFERASE enhances drought tolerance in rice.” Shim, J.S.; Jeong, H.I., Bang, S.W.; Jung, S.E.; Kim, Y.S.; Redillas, M.C.F.R.; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-k. Plant physiology. (2022) [PDF] “Rice microRNA171f /SCL6 module enhances drought tolerance by regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis genes.” Um, T.Y.; Choi, J.; Park, T.; Chung, P.J.; Jung, S.E.; Shim, J.S.; Kim, Y.S.; Choi, I.-Y.; Park, S.-C.; Oh, S.-J; Seo, J.S.; Kim, J.-K. Plant Direct. (2022) [PDF] |
| Itsuhiro Ko Email: itsuhiro.ko@wsu.edu Enrolled: Spring 2022 Advisor: Cynthia Gleason Department: Plant Pathology My name is Itsuhiro Ko, from Japan (feel free to call me “Ko”!). I love tennis and use to play bass guitar in a band. (Love playing Nintendo games as well!). I also play a Japanese traditional martial art called Kendo. I finished my B.S. degree in Plant Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University researching the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event in parasitic plants in Dr. Claude W. dePamphilis’s lab. Since then, I have a keen interest in molecular interaction between plants and pathogens. After graduating, I received an offer from the University of Cambridge, UK, to start my MPhil research of plant-nematode interaction in Dr. Sebastian Eves van-den Akker’s group. I also hold a minor degree in Entrepreneurship at Penn State and want to start up a new venture involved in biotechnology, agriculture, and horticulture. Now, I’m joining Dr. Cynthia Gleason’s lab at WSU as a Ph.D. student, continuing to study plant nematode interaction and wanting to translate fundamental biology into real agriculture solutions. |
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| Sophia Matylis Email: sophia.matylis@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2024 |
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| Sean McGuire Email: sean.mcguire@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: Philip Bates Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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 | Kaone Mookodi Email: kaone.mookodi@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Tarah Sullivan Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Hi! My name is Kaone Mookodi, Ph.D student in Dr. Tarah Sullivan Lab. I joined the Sullivan lab in fall of 2023, where I focus on both the biological and physical soil health at Vetter farm, Eastern Washington. I have pursued my master’s degree in plant science (soils) at the University of Idaho, where I studied several lime materials as lime amendments for Idaho Soils. My bachelor’s degree was obtained in soil and water conservation engineering from Botswana University of Agricultural and Natural Resources (BUAN), in my home country, Botswana. On my spare time, I enjoy cooking and learning new recipes. Otherwise, I will be sleeping, just to take a break from school! Presentations Oral (2022). “Urea Ammonium Nitrate as the carrier for pre-plant burndown herbicides”. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, 2022. Baltimore, Maryland. Poster (2022). “Comparison of Hybrid Rye to other small grains in Southern Idaho”. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, 2022. Baltimore, Maryland. Poster (2023). “Precipitated Calcium Carbonate as Lime Amendment in Southern Idaho”. Western Nutrient Management Conference 2023. Reno, Nevada. Scholarships & Awards 2023: Corteva DELTA Recruitment Symposium participant, Johnston, Iowa. 2023: Western Crop Science Society of Agronomy Travel Award. 2023: University of Idaho Graduate and Professional Student Association Travel Award. 2023: member of the SSSA Soil Chemistry and Minerology Award. 2022: Oral presentation (2nd position, Weedy and Invasive Plant Species Student Presentation Oral II. ASA, CSSA, SSSA, 2022. Baltimore, Maryland. Publications Mookodi KL, Adjesiwor AT (2022). “Urea Ammonium Nitrate as the carrier for pre-plant burndown herbicides”. (2022) Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment Journal. https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/agg2.20404 |
 | Chun-Yeung Ng Email: chun-yeung.ng@wsu.edu Enrolled: Spring 17 Advisor: Thomas Okita Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
| Niharika Nonavinakere Chandrakanth Email: n.nonavinakerechand@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: Laura Bartley Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Dylan Oates Email: dylan.oates@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2019 Advisor: Karen Sanguinet Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Dylan joined the MPS program as a PhD student in August of 2019 under the advisory of Dr. Karen Sanguinet. He received his undergraduate in biology with a minor in chemistry at Nebraska Wesleyan University. During his time as an undergraduate he was employed by the USDA-ARS under the supervision of Dr. Scott Sattler, where he researched alternative bioenergy by targeting monolignol biosynthesis in sorghum. Dylan continued in the field of plant science by obtaining a MSc in Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His graduate research was on understanding the systematic, functional, and molecular genetics underlying organ development in maize. He is passionate about studying the physiological and molecular genetic processes that regulate cold response in wheat. By researching vernalization and photoperiod mechanisms involved in cold response, Dylan and the Sanguinet’s lab hope to reveal how these complex networks work. These discoveries may lead to new and innovative approaches in crop bioengineering to help lessen the impact of climate change on agriculture. |
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| Jessica Ortiz-Eriamiatoe Email: jessica.ortiz@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2015 Advisor: Michael Neff Department: Crop and Soil Sciences I earned my B.S. in Biochemistry at University of California, Riverside in 2011 while doing Systematics research on parasitic chalcid wasps of the genus Orasema. I then moved on to earning a M.S. in Chemistry at California State University, Los Angeles in 2016. During my master’s degree I did molecular genetics research to elucidate the functional role of lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) on senescence in Arabidopsis. I am currently interested in using molecular, genetic, biochemical, bioinformatic and biotechnological approaches to understand the role of AT-HOOK MOTIF NUCLEAR LOCALIZED (AHL) genes in plant growth and developments in Arabidopsis and Brachypodium. I aim to investigate the structure-function relationships of AHLs in Arabidopsis via physical and genetic interaction analyses. I am also interested in exploring the potential role of AHLs in the model monocot Brachypodium and their effect on seedling and root development and flowering time. Lastly, I work to testing whether the development of brassinosteroid receptor mutants in tetraploid wheat is suitable for conferring a dwarf variety with improved yield and lodging. |
| Alyssa Parish Email: a.parish@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2017 Advisor: Andrei Smertenko Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Publications: Zwack, P.J., De Clercq, I., Howton, T.C., Hallmark, H.T., Hurny, A., Keshishian, E.A., Parish, A.M., Benkova, E., Mukhtar, M.S., Van Breusegem, F., Rashotte, A.M. (2016) Cytokinin Reponse Factor 6 Represses Cytokinin-Associated Genes during Oxidative Stress. Plant Physiology. Doi:10.1104/pp.16.00415. |
 | Janice Parks Email: janice.parks@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2020 Advisor: Maren Friesen Department: Plant Pathology Janice graduated from Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Spanish in May 2020. Her research in Dr. Maren Friesen's lab has been focused on understanding the role of the soil bacterial community in the success of a pea-canola intercropped system (peaola) and how this community differs from monoculture pea and canola. Publications: Weissman JL, Chappell CR, Rodrigues de Oliviera BF, Evans N, Fagre AC, Forsythe D, Frese SA, Gregor R, Ishaq SL, Johnston J, Bittu KR, Matsuda SB, McCarren S, Roepke TA, Sinnott-Armstrong N, Stobie CS, Talluto L, Vargas-Muñiz JM, The Queer and Trans in Biology Consortium. Running a queer- and trans-inclusive faculty hiring process. In Review. PLoS Biology. • Consortium Author Aydin D, Parks JM, Tirkes S, Collins CE, Akin ID, Friesen ML, Call DR, Beyenal H. Microbial diversity in active and abandoned Desert Kangaroo Rat burrows and from proximal surface sand. In Review. Microbiology Spectrum. Petipas R, Peru C, Parks J, Friesen M, Jack C. Prairie soil affects wheat establishment and the developmental transition to flowering but these effects are not mediated by microbes. In Press. Canadian Journal of Microbiology. Parks JM, Friesen ML. The role of plant-microbe interactions in legume non-legume intercropping success. 2024. Plant and Soil. 10.1007/s11104-024-06550-9. Madsen I, Parks J, Friesen M, Clark R. Increasing biodiversity and land use efficiency through pea-canola intercropping (peaola). 2022. Frontiers in Soil Science. Parks JM, Askew N, Creagh-Grave JW, Nyerges G. 2020. Presence and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes at an organic goat dairy farm. International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. 12(1):1–12. doi: http://doi.org/10.7710/2168-0620.0309. Reports: Parks, J.M., Morford, I., Anderson, V., Schnorr, J., and Sardinia, L.M. 2020. Identification of yeast species throughout fermentation in samples from a biodynamic winery. Report to Montinore Estate Winery. Andrews, A., AnDyke, K., Askew, N., Baclay, C., Bailey, G., Beadell, B., Castro, M., Fujiuchi, A., Galang, B., Hoiland, J., Jones, A., Lacaden, N., Knecht, K., Lee, A., Mayer, M., Morford, I., Osbrink-McInroy, A., Parks, J., Phan, D., Riehlman, E., Rivera, K., Rosebrook, C., Shankar, R., Sutton, C., Tanaka, L., Tran, H., Tran, K., Uehara, T., Wagner, K., Yavuz, E., and Sardinia, L.M. 2019. Comparison of microbial metabolic diversity at four locations through the flowpath at Fernhill Treatment Wetlands: A report to Clean Water Services. Report to Clean Water Services in Forest Grove, OR. Talks: 2024 Nitrogen fertilizer application impacts the composition and predicted function of the microbial community in a pea (Pisum sativum) and canola (Brassica napus) intercropping system (peaola). MPS Seminar. Pullman, WA 2024 Management impacts on the peaola microbiome. WSU Farmer’s Network Soil Health Coffee Hour. Virtual 2023 Microbial underpinnings of pea-canola intercropping success. MPS Seminar. Pullman, WA 2023 Testing microbial mechanisms of nitrogen provisioning to canola. WA Oilseed Commission Annual Meeting. Pullman, WA 2022 Understanding the impact of pea and canola (peaola) intercropping on microbial diversity and function. WSU Farmer’s Network Soil Health Coffee Hour. Virtual 2022 Understanding How Plant-Plant Interactions Mediated via the Microbiome can Benefit Conservation and Agricultural Practices. US Fish and Wildlife Service: Science of the Service Conference. Virtual 2022 Understanding the impact of pea (Pisum aestivum) and canola (Brassica napus) intercropping on microbial diversity and function. Washington Soil Con. Virtual Posters: 2024 Pea and canola intercropping (Peaola) causes minor shifts in the microbiome. WSU Plant Sciences Retreat. Pullman, WA 2024 Pea and canola intercropping (Peaola) causes minor shifts in the microbiome. PNW Canola Association Annual Meeting. Moscow, ID 2023 The role of microorganisms in nutrient provisioning in Peaola. WSU Plant Sciences Retreat. Pullman, WA 2022 Understanding the impact of pea (Pisum aestivum) and canola (Brassica napus) intercropping on bacterial diversity. Soil Ecology Society Conference. Richland, WA Grants and Fellowships: 2024 Molecular Plant Sciences Travel Grant $1,000 2024 Lawrence Hickman Graduate Fellowship $1,500 2024 R.C. McCroskey Fellowship $1,000 2023 WA Oilseed Commission Grant $19,570.80 2022 Molecular Plant Sciences Travel Grant $500 2021 Western SARE Graduate Student Grant $29,982 2020 ARCS Foundation Fellowship $17,500 Awards: 2024 Worthy, DePauw and Wang Service Leadership Award $500 2024 Graduate and Professional Student Association Excellent Registered Student Organization (Related to: President of MPS GSO) $500 |
| Janel Poisson Email: janel.poisson@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Karen Sanguinet Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |
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| Kristopher Rapeta Email: kristopher.rapeta@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Andrei Smertenko Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Tana Rayburn Email: montana.rayburn@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Sanja Roje Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry Hi! My name is Tana Rayburn, and I joined the Roje lab in spring of 2022. My research focuses on long noncoding RNAs and their connection to flavin metabolism (Riboflavin, FMN, and FAD) in Arabidopsis thaliana. I received my Bachelors of Science from the University of Idaho in plant genomics and biotechnology, where I studied a putative nematode resistance gene in Solanum sisymbriifolium. When not doing research I am active in the MPS DEI committee, the MPS speaker committee, the MPS visibility committee, and the IBC DEI committee, along with volunteering at science outreach events. I enjoy rock climbing, reading, and spending time with my husband and cat. Awards, posters, and publications: 2023 Greek national conference in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology poster “melinoe mutant uncovers the role of AtFMN/FHy enzyme as a biochemical hub for flavin synthesis in plants”, Gerasimos Daras, Dikran Tsitsekian, Dimitris Templalexis, Montana Rayburn, Fengoula Avgeri, Sanja Roje, Polydefkis Hatzopoulos, and Stamatis Rigas 2023 national ASPB conference poster “the predicted role of two long noncoding RNAs in flavin homeostasis of Arabidopsis thaliana”, Tana Rayburn, Clay Bailies, Sanja Roje 2023 Graduate Student Travel Seed Grant recipient 2023 ASPB Science Outreach Hackathon winner 2023 NSF GRFP honorable mention 2022 Clarence “Bud” Ryan scholarship recipient |
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| Kaitlin Riggan Email: kaitlin.riggan@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2024 |
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 | Miguel Rosas Email: miguel.rosas2@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Karen Sanguinet Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Miguel Rosas is a first year rotating PhD student in the Plant Molecular Sciences Program. Miguel earned his Bachelors of Science in Biology from California State University San Marcos. He is currently studying brassinosteroid inactivation genes. In his spare time Miguel likes to go backpacking with friends, have bonfires at the beach, go on hikes with his dog, read science-fiction novels, and enjoy pizza with his family. |
| Rachel Snyder Email: rachel.snyder@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2016 Advisor: Mechthild Tegeder Department: School of Biological Sciences Publications: Lu MZ, Snyder R, Grant J, Tegeder M. (2020) Manipulation of sucrose phloem and embryo loading affects pea leaf metabolism, carbon and nitrogen partitioning to sinks as well as seed storage pools. The Plant Journal 101: 217-236. doi: 10.1111/tpj.14533 The SV, Snyder R, Tegeder M. (2021) Targeting nitrogen metabolism and transport processes to improve plant nitrogen use efficiency. Frontiers in Plant Science 11: 628366. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2020.628366 |
| Andrew Spishakoff Email: andrew.spishakoff@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Tarah Sullivan Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |
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| Vaclav Svoboda Email: vaclav.svoboda@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2017 Advisor: Helmut Kirchhoff Department: School of Biological Sciences |
| Jorgen Tacetta Email: jorgen.tacetta@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: Norman G. Lewis Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Ameneh Tarakemeh Email: ameneh.tarakemeh@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2023 Advisor: David Gang Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
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| Jordan Tolley Email: jordan.tolley@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2024 |
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| Ruth Uwugiaren Email: ruth.uwugiaren@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: Michael Pumphrey Department: Crop and Soil Sciences Ruth Uwugiaren joined the MPS program as a Ph.D. student in 2021. She is interested in plant molecular genetics and her Ph.D. research will be focused on Spring wheat improvement via genetics and breeding. She did both her BSc and MSc in Biochemistry. Before moving to the US, she worked with the cassava breeding team at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria which focuses on using molecular tools to improve disease resistance thereby increasing yield as well as enhanced dry matter, pro-vitamin A, and low cyanide content. Publications: Esperance CODIJA, Bunmi Olasanmi, Paterne Agre, Ruth Uwugiaren, Adenike D. Ige, Ismail Yusuf Rabbi. (Accepted). Selection of resistance to cassava mosaic disease in Africa cassava germplasm using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers. South African Journal of Science. Rabbi Ismail Yusuf, Kayondo Siraj Ismail, Bauchet Guillaume, Yusuf Muyideen, Aghogho Cynthia Idhigu, Ogunpaimo Kayode, Uwugiaren Ruth, Smith Ikpan Andrew, Peteti Prasad, Agbona Afolabi, Parkes Elizabeth, Lydia Ezenwaka, Wolfe Marnin, Jannink Jean-Luc, Egesi Chiedozie, Kulakow Peter. (2020) Genome-wide association analysis reveals new insights into the genetic architecture of defensive, agro-morphological and quality-related traits in cassava. Plant Molecular Biology. |
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| Liam Vance Email: liam.vance@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor:Dr. Michael Knoblauch Department: School of Biological Sciences |
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| Joel Velasco Email: joel.velasco@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2017 Advisor: Bernd (Mark) Lange Department: Institute of Biological Chemistry |
 | Camille Wagstaff Email: camille.wagstaff@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2021 Advisor: David Crowder Department: Entomology My research focuses on insect vectored diseases and precision pest management in vegetable and cannabis crops. I received my Bachelor of Science from Boise State University in Anthropology, where I studied ethnobotany, music, and dance. When not doing research, I am active in the MPS seminar committee, volunteering at entomology outreach and education events, or meeting with politicians to promote local hemp production. I enjoy rafting, playing guitar, and gardening. Awards, Posters, and Publications: •2021-2023 Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Fellowship recipient of 2ND Floyd Rogers Memorial Scholarship •2022 Western Hemp Integrated Pest Management Meeting Poster, “Gut Content Analysis of Beet Leafhoppers in Columbia Basin 2019”, Camille Wagstaff, David Crowder •2022 Entomological Society of America Joint Annual Meeting Poster, “Gut Content Analysis of Beet Leafhoppers in Columbia Basin 2019”, Camille Wagstaff, David Crowder •2022 Debate Entomological Society of America Joint Annual Meeting, 2nd Place •2023 CAHNRS 3 Minute Thesis Competition PhD Level, 2nd Place •2023 Speaker at ARCS Annual Luncheon •2024 WERA 1007 Curly Top Multistate Project Meeting Presentation, “Assessing Seasonal Host Use and BCTV Transmission by Beet Leafhopper in Vegetable and Hemp Crop Systems of the Columbia Basin” •2024 Potato Field Day Presentation, “Assessing Seasonal Host Use and Pathogen Transmission by Beet Leafhopper in Vegetable Crop Systems”, Camille Wagstaff, David Crowder •2024 Cannabis Research Conference Presentation, “Assessing Seasonal Host Use and Pathogen Transmission by Beet Leafhopper in Hemp Crop Systems”, Camille Wagstaff, David Crowder •2024 Entomological Society of America Joint Annual Meeting Presentation, “Assessing Seasonal Host Use and Pathogen Transmission by Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) in Vegetable and Hemp Crop Systems”, Camille Wagstaff, David Crowder •2024 Molecular Plant Sciences Seminar Presentation, “Assessing Seasonal Host Use and Pathogen Transmission by Beet Leafhopper (Circulifer tenellus) in Vegetable and Hemp Crop Systems”, Camille Wagstaff, David Crowder •Sandhi RK, Pickens V, Bello E, Elzay S, Salgado S, Hauri KC, Ternest JJ, Constancio N, Gula S, Gearner OM, Anderson M, Edeburn M, Hall B, Maille J, Toth M, Khadka A, Doherty E, Musgrove T, Silva T, Desoto A, Rampone E, Jocson D, Luppino M, Pautzke K, Wagstaff C. Entomology beyond research and education: 2022 student debates. J Insect Sci. 2023 May 1;23(3):11. doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iead036. PMID: 37279995; PMCID: PMC10243969. •Jarugula S, Wagstaff C, Mitra A, Crowder D, Gang D, Rayapati N. First reports of Beet curly top virus, Citrus yellow vein-associated virus, and Hop latent viroid in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) in Washington State. Plant Dis. 2023 Feb 21. doi: 10.1094/PDIS-12-22-2981-PDN. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36802299. Additional Information: Here |
| Marita White Email: marita.white@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2022 Advisor: Kimberly Garland-Campbell Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |
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| Xin Xin Email: xin.xin@wsu.edu Enrolled: Fall 2018 Advisor: Michael Neff Department: Crop and Soil Sciences |