Research

My STEP Summer Experience

Welcome to my summer lab!

A strawberry infected with the pathogen I studied

Me presenting my summer research at MSU’s MID-Sure symposium

This summer from May 20th to July 27th, I spent my time as a undergraduate research intern at Michigan State University within the Plant Genomics Research Experience for Undergraduates. Throughout the REU program, I spent 40 hours each week within a small fruit and hop pathology lab working on my own project focused on the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea and fungicides within FRAC group 7 (SDHIs). At the end of the 10-week program, each cohort member created their own poster and presented their research at a symposium and the MID-Sure poster conference.

While this program ultimately was focused on science and developing research skills, I was also able to learn more myself and about those around me who come from different backgrounds than myself. Generally, the Plant Genomics REU at MSU is meant for students that are attending a smaller (less research dominated) university. Within that pool, there are students of color, minorities, and students that are first generation college attendees. I came into the program with a respect and understanding for those who come from different backgrounds than myself, but you aren’t able to really understand how it affects a person until you work or live directly with them. My view was not necessarily changed, more so it was improved. I saw the impact of kindness, patience, and consideration.

My roommate as well as my lab mate came from a “rougher” background; one of less financial support, family drug use, and abuse. The opportunity to be open and learn about these people was special. We relied on each other for support during the days as we toiled through our rigorous research, these long days of trial and error allowed us to become fast friends and companions. I found that you should never shout your privilege, but always be aware that people may be coming from a very different place than yourself. If we take the time to listen, we can find so explanations.

Prior to this summer, I had very little research experience. I had spent time in a lab focused on drought resistance, enrolled in lab-based courses, and explored research facilities, but I never had my own project. The 10-week research experience was intense and quick. We began learning techniques and protocols from day one and were expected to know them or at least have them written down for the next time we would need them. This rapid exposure was something I knew I wanted going into the project, but I was unsure how it would affect me. I was able to find that I could handle this type of work and I would be cut out to continue it in the future.

Each day consisted of something a little different, but always working towards the same goal. I found that organization was key as I trekked through my project. Some days I messed up and I had to come in early the next day to fix it or tweak it and try again. This scenario did not apply to everyone though, some students did feel the need to work overtime or come in early. I found that by working hard during the day and taking time to understand my project at night, I was able to learn more and be more successful. I became confident in my abilities and in asking questions. I was no longer afraid to interject and ask a question, instead I was ready to learn, connect dots between concepts, and fully understand how different mechanisms worked or influenced others. I was even able to grasp the greatest aspect of research: the “re” part. I learned that research requires a large amount of re-doing, patience, and resilience. I failed many times; I had contaminated cultures, little help, and measurement errors. But, that is just how research goes and you learn to adapt.

My summer experience was incredibly valuable for my future; I was able to see that I truly enjoy the research experience and that I can complete my own project and then think beyond the project. I was able to gain a better understanding of how to present and discuss my work by presenting to faculty, fellow cohort members, and others at the MID-Sure Poster conference. This ability is crucial in the ever-developing world of science as we must take the information found and disperse it to the public in a readily understood manner. The issue of science communication strikes close to home as I see this within my parents and other family members. When we can clearly and adequately confer our knowledge to the general public, we are able to make a difference. There is a great gap between consumers and producers as well as the public and scientists. It is crucial that future scientists are able to discuss their findings to the public as we venture into a greater use of genetically engineered crops and climate change. If not, it is a common theme that people will not support what they do not know or understand. I hope to work with this gap, attempting to educate the population on what is happening within our fields and how we can each go about making it better. A goal of mine, strengthened this summer, is to obtain my PhD in Plant Pathology and work with local growers to develop intelligent strategies to avoid disease. This summer, I was able to network and meet many PIs (primary investigators) from incredible labs/universities across the country. This opportunity has given me the chance to have choices of places for graduate school. Within the professional relationship I formed with my PI, Tim, I would not have many of his colleagues or gained any insight into what I hope to do with a graduate degree. A goal of mine going into the program was to be one (large) step closer to finding graduate schools to apply to this fall, a mentor who would be willing to take me as a student, and potentially having the chance to author a publication. I was able to accomplish all of these goals through consistent networking and hard work, for that I am extremely proud. Without my summer experience, I would not be where I am right now: I will be grateful for this summer as I enter graduate school and begin to mentor others as I was mentored this summer.

STEP Reflection: Agronomy Internship

Name: Kaitlyn Evans

Type of Project: Internship at Mid-Wood Inc. Agronomy Services

 

This summer I interned with Mid-Wood, Inc. Agronomy Services in Plymouth, Ohio. Mid-Wood, Inc. Agronomy Services is a Cooperative that provides farm crop recommendation to customers. Mid-Wood also conducts research on farm crops and works with farmers to increase production. The main activities throughout my project including scouting farmers’ fields using Marvrx, a scouting app that analyzed field data. I had to learn and identify disease, weeds, and pests in row crops. I also had to haul fertilizer tanks, take soil samples, tissue samples, hand spray, and do test plot research.

Putting FS HISOY soybean seeds in the planter for our soybean research plots in Plymouth, Ohio.

While completing my STEP Signature Project my view of the world of row crop production changed. I knew people who worked in the industry worked hard, but I had never saw it first-hand. There was hardly a week that I did not get 40 hours of work in. These people work day in and day out and even on the weekends. I transformed myself because of this. I because apart of the agronomy industry. Working long and hard hours makes you really close to your co-workers. My co-workers soon felt like a big family. They taught me how to work hard, but also how to have fun when the work was done. I also felt a part of the bigger picture of production agriculture. Mid-Wood Inc. Agronomy Services provides services to farmers to help increase production. I was helping farmers increase yields to feed the world along with so many other people in the industry. I learned about jobs in the industry that I did not even know existed.

A genetic mutation that I found in a variety of corn.

The agronomy industry involved a lot of driving. Sometimes you’re scouting a field that is an hour away and you have an hour of drive-time with your co-workers. You end up learning a lot of inside information about the industry and the people you work with. Rainy days also made for a lot of shop work or office work because you can’t be farming while it’s raining. Lots of times we would grill lunch on rainy days and bond with co-workers.

A lot of times I was sent out with a task that would take all day. I had to figure out a lot of stuff on my own throughout the day because of this. I also had to learn how to keep on task working independently. I also had to learn how to interact with farmers especially because I was scouting their corn and soybeans on their property. I had to report to farmers about their yield estimated and any problems in their field. Sometimes, I would have to haul fertilizer to a farmer and help them set a spreader, so it was properly distributed throughout a field. I learned how to balance a business relationship and a friendship with these farmers because no farmer wants to feel like you’re a business man.

Hauling dry fertilizer to farmers in May before the crops were up!

Some days, I even got to experience other jobs in the agronomy industry. One day, I rode along with one of the applicators and learned how a sprayer works. I learned how to fill a sprayer and mix the sprayer solutions. I helped change nozzles and clean out the sprayer as well. My boss was the precision specialist and I got to set up NDVI flights for fields. I even got to see planes crop dusting in July. I rode along with one of the salesmen a couple times. I even helped the Office Manager with paperwork.

Hand spraying a patch of giant ragweed with Dicamba on a genetically modified Dicamba ready soybean variety.

This transformation is significant and valuable for my life in many ways. My co-workers became people I will be friends with for the rest of my life. I know if I asked them to do something for me they would, and I would do the same for them. As an Agriscience Education major, I will be teaching agriculture to high school students. Working in agronomy also gave me the confidence to teach agronomy in my future agricultural classroom. The standards I have to teach my students includes agronomy. There is even an agronomy career development event that students can participate in.

This internship also gave me the confidence to talk to farmer’s who are very experienced with row crop farming. Academically, my internship is helping me in my ASM 4300 course. In this course, I have to drive farming equipment which I learned a lot about over the summer. It also is helping me because I already know how to do yield estimates when we do our harvest lab. Overall, I would recommend this internship to anyone interested in production agriculture.

Scouting FS Invision 60ZV1 corn that was 6ft high by the 4th of July.