Bio

I am a fourth year undergraduate student at Iowa State University double majoring in Genetics and Agronomy. Since my freshman year, I have been part of Dr. Matthew Hufford's lab studying evolutionary maize genetics. I am particularly interested in the diversity of maize and have worked extensively with Zea mays ssp. parviglumis for a variety of projects. I have been able to present my research at the Maize Genetics Conference in Saint-Malo, France, and the National Conference for Undergraduate Research in Edmond, Oklahoma. Additionally, I have spent the summer and winter growing seasons (in Marshalltown, Iowa and Kauai, Hawaii, respectively) with Beck's Superior Hybrids as a plant breeding and research intern. This past summer, I was a NSF REU intern at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center where I studied maize root architecture in Dr. Christopher Topp's lab. 

This fall I will be applying to plant genetics and plant breeding PhD programs. My long term goals include becoming a university researcher where I can combine my passions for research and teaching. 

In my free time, I love to ride and compete on horseback and was Iowa State's Equestrian Team Captain for two years. I also take my one-eyed rescue Miniature Horse to nursing homes for pet therapy visits. 

Research Areas:
Evolution, Genetics, Genomics

Volunteer Activities

  • Therapy horse visits with Lulu the Miniature Horse at nursing homes and hospitals
Interests
Current Affiliations
Experience & Education