Plant sciences student’s experience in undergraduate research fosters growth in specialty crop production
Where are you from, and why did you decide to attend the UT Herbert College of Agriculture?
I am from Nashville, Tennessee, and I became interested in attending UT after the campus tour I took while I was in high school. I fell in love with the city of Knoxville and its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains. After I decided my heart was set on attending UT, I started looking into the different departments offered to see which aligned with my passions. The departments within the Herbert College of Agriculture intrigued me because I felt there were many opportunities available that I could pick a major that made me happy to study and build a career towards.
What is your major and why?
My major is plant sciences with a concentration in horticulture science and production. I originally was undecided in my concentration, but after taking a few plant science courses I felt studying horticulture science and production would help bring me closer to my career goals and passions.
What has been your favorite class and who is your favorite professor? Why?
My favorite professor definitely has to be Dr. Jerome Grant. I’ve taken many of his classes, and he always does a wonderful job creating a fun and welcoming environment to learn about insects. My favorite class is the first entomology course I took, it was introduction to entomology (EPP321) taught by Dr. Grant. I had never paid much attention to insects, so it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about some very under-appreciated beings.
He has an extensive insect collection, so we were able to see thousands of different insects up close during our lab periods. Our final project was creating our own insect collection where we found and pinned 50 unique insect specimens. This was my favorite part of the class, as it helped me become more observant of the insects around me that I might have previously overlooked. Overall, this course gave me a new perspective and appreciation towards insects and the important roles they play in our lives.
Can you tell us about your experience participating in undergraduate research?
In my sophomore year, I learned that undergraduate students were able to work with faculty members to assist with their research. The potential to work under a faculty member and become more familiar with the field I chose helped me feel more secure in navigating what I want in my career. I spoke with my advisor about my interests, and she put me in contact with Dr. Mitchell Richmond of the UT Specialty Crops Program. After joining as an intern in the summer of 2022, Dr. Richmond encouraged me to conduct my own trial. I had been helping with his tobacco trials all summer, so I was really excited to have a trial of my own. My first trial investigated the effects of supplemental lighting on the growth and germination of industrial hemp. I had the opportunity to present this study at the EURēCA and plant sciences poster competition. From this experience, I found that I enjoyed presenting much more than I had expected and discovered how fulfilling it is to share my research with others. Since then, I have run more trials on fiber hemp production and have been presented with the opportunity to pursue my masters studying fiber hemp.
What skills or insights have you gained through your experience working on the innovative hopyard research project?
Being a part of the development of the hopyard project from the early stages has helped me understand the level of planning and collaboration that is required for a project this large. I’ve also learned of how you need to embrace the “learning curve” when doing a new trial or working with a new crop.
What has been your most memorable or fulfilling experience at Herbert so far?
My most fulfilling experience has been building relationships with students, faculty, and staff here on campus. Herbert is small enough that you can see a familiar face anytime you walk around, which is really comforting. This is something I was surprised to experience when coming to UT since there are so many students. There really is a wonderful community here at Herbert which has helped this campus feel like home.
How has your experience at Herbert prepared you to enter the field?
The opportunities at Herbert to apply what I’ve learned in class to real-world scenarios has deepened my understanding of concepts needed for my career. There have also been many opportunities for networking with industry professionals which has also helped guide me towards my passions and interests that will shape my career path. I want to work in research or extension, so being able to have so many resources available to me as a student has been incredibly beneficial.
What advice would you give to undergraduates looking to get involved in research at Herbert?
My advice is to get involved in undergraduate research early. Participating early on in your studies gives you time to have many opportunities to work with different projects and faculty members. This way, you can experience working with a variety of crops and research methods. Undergraduate research is very fulfilling, especially if you can work with the topics/crops that interest you.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After I graduate this December, I have plans to stay at UT to pursue my master’s degree. I will work on a project studying the nitrogen fertility effects on fiber hemp. This has been a project I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, and it’s so exciting to see it just around the corner!
What do you like to do outside of work and/or what is a fun fact about yourself that your fellow graduate students and professors may not know?
Outside of work/school I enjoy cooking and doing puzzles. My typical evening is experimenting with a new recipe then winding down with a puzzle. A fun fact that most people don’t know about me is that I breed/keep Neocaridina shrimp.
