{"id":1481,"date":"2025-09-04T12:26:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T16:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/?p=1481"},"modified":"2025-09-04T12:28:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T16:28:38","slug":"claire-cooke","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/claire-cooke\/","title":{"rendered":"Claire Cooke"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Entomology and Plant Pathology<\/a> PhD student finds community and purpose through fieldwork and fellowship at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Where are you from, and how did your journey lead you to the Herbert College of Agriculture<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m from Crockett Mills, Tennessee, a small town that locals would describe as \u201chead past the co-op and Safari Park, then take a right by them horses.\u201d For non-Tennessee natives, it\u2019s somewhere between Memphis and Nashville. My journey with the Herbert College of Agriculture began as an undergraduate intern at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. There, I gained experience in both plant pathology and entomology during my time in the USDA-funded Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU)<\/a> program. This sparked my passion for agricultural research and showed me how impactful this work can be. I went on to Auburn University to earn a master\u2019s degree in entomology, then returned to the Center to pursue my PhD in plant pathology with the University of Tennessee under Dr. Heather Kelly <\/a>\u2013 bringing me full circle to where it all started.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What inspired you to major in plant pathology, and what interests you most about this field?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in a family of row crop farmers, agriculture has always been a big part of my life. Along with that, I\u2019ve always had a love for science and nature. As a kid, I filled sketchbooks with native plants and animals I\u2019d identified and spent my allowance on aquariums and different plant species. Plant pathology perfectly combines my love for science and my roots in agriculture. What interests me the most about the research I do is the overall focus on sustainability. Not only does it benefit farmers, but it also drives for integrated pest management (IPM) solutions that are better for our environment without compromising safety or effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Have there been any specific classes, research experiences, or professors at Herbert that have had a significant impact on your academic journey?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So many. Although I\u2019m a distance learner, meaning I take my UT Knoxville classes online while conducting research at the Center, I\u2019ve learned so much from both my online professors and the ones here at the center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the things I love most about working under Dr. Kelly is that she heavily encourages her students to network \u2013 whether it\u2019s through Extension events, industry internships, or conferences to present our research. Being a more introverted person, it\u2019s difficult for me to put myself out there. But being able to attend these programs has pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to develop skills that I likely never would have improved without her nudge. I\u2019m not only a better presenter, but I\u2019m also a more skilled communicator and collaborator than ever before, which are necessary skills to have in scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another professor I\u2019d like to shine a light on is Dr. Emine Fidan<\/a> and her Data Analytics in Agricultural and Ecological Systems course. Although I\u2019ve had classes on data analysis before, I\u2019ve always struggled with wrapping my head around these concepts. It has always felt like my Achilles\u2019 heel going into research, but she made learning analytics engaging, rewarding, and most of all, fun! Although I still don\u2019t consider myself a data wizard, her course increased my confidence in my coding and debugging abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Congratulations on being named a Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) fellow<\/a> for the 2025 cohort! Can you tell us about this achievement and what the program entails?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you! Words cannot describe how thrilled I was to be selected as a 2025-2028 FFAR Fellow. This program supports graduate students working on agricultural innovations, with the focus of this cohort being on cultivating thriving production systems, sustaining vibrant ecosystems, and bolstering healthy food systems. Apart from this research focus, the FFAR program also works with graduate students to foster professional development, leadership training, and connect us with industry professionals that will help map our career paths. Two of my mentors, Dr. Autumn McLaughlin and fellow graduate student Elias Zuchelli, were also in the FFAR program. They cannot overstate how much it taught them about themselves, Elias often says that \u201cprofessional development is closely related to personal development.\u201d I find this to be very true.<\/p>\n\n\n

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How has being located at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center contributed to your research and accomplishments?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n