Taylor Aguiar
Thesis or dissertation title: Transposable Element Analysis during Infection & Testing Growth Inhibition with Pepper Extracts using Fusarium oxysporum
Degree: MS, 2018
Advisor: Li–Jun Ma
Education: BS, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2017
Ahmed Gameel Meselhy Ali
Advisor: Om Parkash Dhankher
Education: Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
Elisha Allan–Perkins
Thesis or dissertation title: The Effect of Management Practices on Bacterial, Fungal, and Nematode Communities on Cool Season Turfgrass
Degree: PhD, 2017
Advisor: Geunhwa Jung
Education: MS in Zoology, 2008, University of New Hampshire
BS in Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Science concentration, 2006, University of New Hampshire
Kelly Allen
Degree: PhD, 2022
Advisor: Li–Jun Ma
Education: BS in Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, 2015, UMass Amherst
Christina Arther
Thesis or dissertation title: Origin of gene specificity in the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis
Degree: PhD, 2020
Advisor: Dong Wang
Education: BS in Biology, 2012, Sacred Heart University
Robert Augustine
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Washington University in St. Louis, Vierstra Lab
Thesis or dissertation title: The Role of Actin Depolymerizing Factor and its Regulatory Mechanisms in Moss Tip Growth
Degree: PhD, 2011
Advisor: Dr. Magdalena Bezanilla
Education: BS in Biochemistry, 2005, SUNY at Binghamton
CJ Bascom
Thesis or dissertation title: The Interplay Between Polarity Regulators, Calcium, and the Actin Cytoskeleton During Tip Growth
Degree: PhD, 2018
Advisor: Dong Wang
Education: BS in Biological Sciences, 2012, University of Rhode Island
Rachael Preston Bernstein
Thesis or dissertation title: The Characterization of Traits Associated with Freezing Tolerance in Perennial Ryegrass
Degree: PhD, 2021
Advisor: Michelle DaCosta
Education: BS in Animal Science, 2015, UMass Amherst
Rebecca Brennan
Thesis or dissertation title: Processes, Patterns, and Predictions of Soil Moisture Variation in Upland and Peatland Cranberry Farms in Massachusetts
Degree: MS, 2020
Advisor: Hilary Sandler
Education: University of Delaware
Graham Burkart
Position: Postdoctoral researcher, Dixit Lab, Washington University in St. Louis
Thesis or dissertation title: The role of myosin XI and ROP in moss tip growth
Degree: PhD, 2014
Advisor: Magdalena Bezanilla
Education: BS in Botany, 2006, University of Vermont
David Chan Rodriguez
Thesis or dissertation title: Grass-specific mechanisms of iron uptake: investigation of phytosiderophore transporters and discovery of novel iron deficiency loci
Degree: PhD, 2018
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: BS in Biochemical Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico de Merida, Mexico
Mingqin Chang
Thesis or dissertation title: Isoform Specialization Among the Sec23 Gene Family Has Significant Consequences For Growth
Degree: PhD, 2019
Advisor: Tobias Baskin
Education: Education: MS in Cell Biology, 2014, Beijing Normal University
Jeff Chiecko
Position: Research Scientist II at Bristol-Myers Squibb
Thesis or dissertation title: Investigating the role of YSLs in Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana through RT-PCR and Yeast Functional Complementation
Degree: MS, 2009
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: BS in Electrical Engineering, 1999, UMass Amherst
Heng-Hsuan Chu
Position: Postdoctoral fellow, Guerinot Lab, Dartmouth
Thesis or dissertation title: Analyses of Arabidopsis Yellow Stripe-Like (YSL) Family of Metal Transporters
Degree: PhD, 2010
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: BS in Botany, 2001, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
Josh Coomey
Thesis or dissertation title: Investigating the transcriptional regulation of secondary cell wall synthesis and thigmomorphogenesis in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon
Degree: PhD, 2020
Advisor: Sam Hazen
Education: BS in Environmental Science, 2012, UMass Amherst
Greg Deiulio
Thesis or dissertation title: Genomics and Plant Disease: a Study of Fusarium oxysporum Kinases and Downy Mildew Resistance in Basil
Degree: PhD, 2018
Advisor: Li–Jun Ma
Education: BS in Biochemistry, 2011, SUNY Albany
Dennis DePaolo
Position: Director of Cultivation at Maine Organic Therapy
Thesis or dissertation title: Sequence analysis of maize yellow stripe3 candidate genes
Degree: MS, 2014
Advisor: Sam Hazen
Education: BS in Biology, 2009, SUNY Cortland
Anirudha Dixit
Position: NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, Kennedy Space Center
Thesis or dissertation title: Functional Characterization of Stress Associated Proteins (SAPs) from Arabidopsis
Degree: PhD, 2011
Advisor: Om Parkash Dhankher
Education: MS in Biotechnology, 2002, SRTM University
Hailey Erb
Degree: MS, 2021
Advisor: Kristen M. DeAngelis
Education: BS, Environmental Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2020
Natalie Feliciano
Position: Science Division Safety Officer, Greenfield Community College
Thesis or dissertation title: Self-incompatibility and patterns of S-RNase evolution in African Lycium
Degree: MS, 2008
Advisor: Jill Miller
Education: BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2002, University of Rochester
Stavroula Fili
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: MS, Biological Technology, University of Patras, 2017
BS, Biology, University of Patras, 2015
Julie Stultz Fine
Thesis or dissertation title: Integrating no-till and cover crop mixtures for sustainable sweet corn production in the Northeast
Degree: MS, 2018
Advisor: Masoud Hashemi
Education: BA in Comparative Religion, 2000, Vassar
Nishadi Gamage
Degree: MS, 2021
Advisor: Geunhwa Jung
Education: BS Pharmacy, University of Colombo, 2016
Ian Gillis
Thesis or dissertation title: Variation and Evolution of Fruit Ripening Traits in Tomato Species
Degree: PhD, 2018
Advisor: Ana Caicedo
Education: BS in Plant Biology, 2007, University of Washington
Peter van Gisbergen
Position: Postdoctoral fellow, Martin Lab, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
Thesis or dissertation title: The Role of the Formin Protein Family in Membrane Dynamics
Degree: PhD, 2016
Advisor: Magdalena Bezanilla
Education: MS Plant Cell Biology, 2008, Wageningen Agricultural University
Samantha Glaze–Corcoran
Thesis or dissertation title: Developing alternative forage production strategies for environmental and economic resiliency on New England dairy farms
Degree: PhD, 2019
Advisor: Masoud Hashemi
Education: BS, 2013, Biology, Fitchburg State University
Robbie Green
Thesis or dissertation title: Investigation of Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases in S. homoeocarpa for Chlorothalonil Biotransformation
Degree: MS, 2017
Advisor: Geunhwa Jung
Education: UMass Amherst
Huiyuan Guo
Thesis or dissertation title: Silver nanoparticles in environmental and biological systems: source, transformation, and detection
Degree: PhD, 2018
Advisor: Baoshan Xing
Education: BS in Environmental Science, 2013, Beijing Normal University
Pubudu Handakumbura
Position: Postdoctoral fellow, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Thesis or dissertation title: Understanding the transcriptional regulation of secondary cell wall biosynthesis in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon
Degree: PhD, 2014
Advisor: Sam Hazen
Education: BS in Plant Biotechnology, 2007, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Miriam Hernandez Romero
Advisor: Dong Wang
Education: California State University, Fresno
Kristen Hladun
Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, Entomology, UC Riverside
Thesis or dissertation title: Effects of perimeter trap crop pollen, herbivory and pollination on reproduction and plant performance in Cucurbita moschata
Degree: MS, 2007
Advisor: Lynn Adler
Education: BA in Biology, 1999, Boston University
Zhongyun Huang
Thesis or dissertation title: All roads lead to weediness: stories about weedy rice origins, weedy genes and weed competitiveness
Degree: PhD, 2017
Advisor: Ana Caicedo
Education: BS in Biology, 2011, Fudan University
Harry Klein
Thesis or dissertation title: A DORMANCY PROGRAM REGULATES CARPEL SUPPRESSION IN Zea mays (maize)
Degree: PhD, 2020
Advisor: Madelaine Bartlett
Education: BS in Biology, 2015, St. Michael's College
Rakesh Kumar
Thesis or dissertation title: Tracking a long distance iron deficiency signal
Degree: PhD, 2019
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: MS in Biotechnology, 2014, Fresno State University
Jeonghwa Lee
Thesis or dissertation title: The role of TOC receptor interactions in controlling protein import into chloroplasts
Degree: PhD, 2009
Advisor: Danny Schnell
Education: MS in Biological science, 2002, Seoul National University
Scott Lee
Position: Postdoctoral Associate, Mockler Lab, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO
Thesis or dissertation title: Uncovering the Genetic Basis for Biofuel-related Traits in Brachypodium distachyon
Degree: PhD, 2016
Advisor: Sam Hazen
Education: BS in Biology, 2010, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Levi Lilly
Thesis or dissertation title: Impact of Oyster Mushroom Mycelium on the Growth of Kale and Forage Radish
Degree: MS, 2018
Advisor: Geunhwa Jung
Education: BS, Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2017
Jarrett Man
Thesis or dissertation title: Dynamic evolution in the Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor-Like Kinase (LRR-RLK) family of receptors
Degree: PhD, 2021
Advisor: Madelaine Bartlett
Education: BA with a Biochemistry concentration, 2005, Hampshire College
Andrea Marroquin
Degree: MS, 2022
Advisor: Masoud Hashemi
Education: BS, Biology, Northern Kentucky University, 2020
Erin Mostoller
Position: Lab Manager and Chemical Hygiene Officer at Trinity College - Hartford
Thesis or dissertation title: Site Characteristics and Plant Invasion: Light Limitation of Invasive Establishment and Impacts of Elaeagnus umbellata on soil nitrogen availability and co-occuring species
Degree: MS, 2008
Advisor: Dr. Robin Harrington
Education: BS in Environmental and Natural Resources, 2004, Clemson University
N. Ezekiel (Zeke) Nims
Position: Scientist III at RA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Thesis or dissertation title: Transcriptional analysis and metabolic profiling of Taxol-producing Taxus cell cultures
Degree: PhD, 2008
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: BA in Biology, 2000, Ithaca College
Faith Olszewski (Ndlovu)
Position: Biology Teaching and Research Support Specialist, Lafayette College
Thesis or dissertation title: Evaluation of Spring Frost Damage Control Methods and an Assessment of Cold Hardiness in Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait)
Degree: PhD, 2015
Advisor: Peter Jeranyama
Education: BS in Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe
Sydne Record
Position: Assistant Professor, Computational Ecology at Bryn Mawr College
Thesis or dissertation title: Impacts of invasive species on the demography and persistence of a rare, hemiparasitic plant, Swamp Lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata)
Degree: PhD, 2010
Advisor: Dr. Aaron Ellison (Harvard Forest)
Education: BS in Biology, 2003, University of Puget Sound
Julie Anna Ritchie
Position: Scientist III Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals
Thesis or dissertation title: Analysis of Myosin VIII Function in the Moss Physcomitrella patens
Degree: MS, 2009
Advisor: Dr. Magdalena Bezanilla
Education: BS in Biology, 2005, SUNY Plattsburgh
Sandra Romero Gamboa
Thesis or dissertation title: Brachypodium distachyon GNRF, SWAM1, and SWAM4 are transcriptional regulators of secondary cell wall biosynthesis
Degree: PhD, 2019
Advisor: Sam Hazen
Education: BS in Microbiology, 2005, Universidad de Los Andes
Caleb Rounds
Position: Lecturer at University of Massachusetts Amherst
Thesis or dissertation title: Assembly of structurally and functionally distinct protein import translocons in chloroplasts
Degree: PhD, 2007
Advisor: Dr. Danny Schnell
Education: MA in English, 1995, Brown University
Ayousha Shahi
Degree: MS, 2021
Advisor: Sibongile Mafu
Education: MS Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, 2015
BS Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, 2013
Ryan Shepard
Degree: MS, 2016
Advisor: Om Parkash Dhankher
Education: BS in Biology, 2012, Florida Gulf Coast University
Mini Aggarwal Singla
Position: IT Product Specialist, Monsanto Corporation
Thesis or dissertation title: Functional Analysis of Receptor-Like Kinases in Pollen-Pistil Interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana
Degree: MS, 2009
Advisor: Alice Cheung
Education: MS in Botany, Panjab University-Chandigarh, India
Ashley Smith
Degree: MS, 2019
Advisor: Michelle DaCosta
Education: BS, Biology, Bridgewater State University, 2017
Nicole Soper Gorden
Position: Assistant Professor of Biology/Botany, Natural Sciences, Mars Hill University
Thesis or dissertation title: Interactions between floral mutualists and antagonists, and consequences for plant reproduction
Degree: PhD, 2013
Advisor: Lynn Adler
Education: BA in Biology and English, 2007, Gustavus Adolphus College
Carrie Thurber
Position: Assistant Professor, School of Science and Mathematics, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Thesis or dissertation title: The Evolutionary Genetics of Seed Shattering and Flowering Time, Two Weed Adaptive Traits in US Weedy Rice
Degree: PhD, 2012
Advisor: Ana Caicedo
Education: MS in Biology, 2007, SUNY Buffalo
Muvari Tjiurutue
Position: Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Namibia
Thesis or dissertation title: Chemically Mediated Interactions between Parasitic Plants, Hosts and Insect Herbivores
Degree: PhD, 2016
Advisor: Lynn Adler
Education: BS in Molecular, Physiological and Environmental Biology, 2006, University of Namibia
Adam Trautwig
Thesis or dissertation title: The Effect of Disturbance and Invasion on Fungal and Plant Communities Over an Elevation Gradient
Degree: PhD, 2021
Advisor: Kristina Stinson
Education: Auburn University (MS)
SUNY ESF (BS)
Donna Tremonte
Position: Manager of Technology Training, Communications and Information at Harvard Kennedy School
Thesis or dissertation title: The Relationship Between Phragmites Australis (Common Reed) and Inorganic Nitrogen Pools in Interdunal Swales
Degree: MS, 2003
Advisor: Dr. Robin Harrington
Education: B.A. in Environmental Science,1998, Boston University
Michael Urbanowski
Position: PhD Program in Pathobiology at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute
Thesis or dissertation title: Development of a Cytosolic pH Reporter for Tobacco BY2 Cells
Degree: MS, 2012
Advisor: Tobias Baskin
Education: BS in Microbiology/Public Health, 2010, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Kenny Vasques
Position: Clinical Trial Coordinator Trainer at inVentiv Health Clinical
Thesis or dissertation title: Investigation of YS1 and Iron Signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana
Degree: MS, 2012
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: BS in Biology, 2010, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Kathryn Vescio
Thesis or dissertation title: Characterizing the interaction between non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum and Arabidopsis thaliana to determine beneficial effects conferred to the model host plant
Degree: MS, 2019
Advisor: Li–Jun Ma
Education: BS in Biology, 2014, Pennsylvania State University
Kham Vongpaseuth
Position: Science Fellow, USDA APHIS BRS, Rockville, MD
Thesis or dissertation title: Novel Systems for the Functional Characterization of Genes Related to Paclitaxel Metabolism in Taxus Cell Cultures
Degree: PhD, 2011
Advisor: Dr. Susan Roberts
Education: MS in Botany, 2003, University College Dublin, Ireland
Alenka Lovy Wheeler
Position: Research Assistant Professor & Manager, Tufts/NEMC Imaging Facility
Thesis or dissertation title: Actin organization and activity in lily pollen tube growth: a role for pH
Degree: PhD, 2006
Advisor: Peter Hepler
Education: MS in Plant Physiology, 1999, University of Washington, Pullman
Caroline Wise
Degree: MS, 2017
Advisor: Masoud Hashemi
Education: BA in Biology, 2010, Smith College
Shu Zon Wu
Position: Postdoctoral fellow, Bezanilla Lab, UMass Amherst
Thesis or dissertation title: Functional Analysis of Moss Class VII Myosin and its role in Plant Cell Division
Degree: PhD, 2014
Advisor: Magdalena Bezanilla
Education: BS in Botany, 2003, National Taiwan University
Shuang Wu
Position: Professor, Horticulture Plant Biology and Metabolomics Center, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, China
Thesis or dissertation title: Separase: linking cell division and root morphology in Arabidopsis
Degree: PhD, 2010
Advisor: Tobias Baskin
Education: MS in Biology, 2003, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
Burcu Kokturk Yordem
Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, USDA-ARS, Cereal Disease Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Kistler Lab
Thesis or dissertation title: Establishing Brachypodium distachyon as a New Model System for Understanding Iron Homeostatis in Grasses
Degree: PhD, 2012
Advisor: Elsbeth Walker
Education: MS in Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, 2006, Sabanci University, Turkey
Altynay Zhanayeva
Thesis or dissertation title: Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Of Wild Tomato Species During Fruit Development
Degree: MS, 2016
Advisor: Ana Caicedo
Education: MS in Biotechnology, 2014, Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan
Thompson Zhang
Thesis or dissertation title: Uncovering tasselsheath3. A genomic and phenotypic analysis of a maize floral mutant.
Degree: MS, 2017
Advisor: Madelaine Bartlett
Education: UMass Amherst
Maura Zimmermann
Degree: PhD, 2022
Advisor: Tobias Baskin
Education: Susquehanna University