Do leaf shape and other features correlate with evolutionary relationships in Cycads? What are effective strategies for removing invasive plants when restoring natural areas? Can grapes be gene edited using biolistic transformation? How can information about gardening and food systems be effectively communicated to diverse age groups?  These are some of the many questions that Plant Sciences Majors have investigated during research experiences and internships while at Cornell. On Wednesday May 13, 25 seniors delivered virtual 10 minute presentations from locations in Ithaca, other parts of the country, and around the globe to an audience of 60+ faculty, staff, students, and family members.

The talks provided an opportunity for students to demonstrate presentation skills learned in PLSCI 4950 Senior Seminar in Plant Sciences, the senior capstone class taught by Mike Scanlon and Chris Smart. This year presented unique challenges owing to course instruction going virtual for the last six weeks of class, but students rose to the challenge with thoughtful and engaging presentations, delivered without technological difficulty. It was especially gratifying to see so many family members attending. Congratulations to all of our graduating Plant Sciences Majors! A recording of the presentations can be viewed online (time stamps for individual talks listed)

Presentations:

Note that the list order here differs from the order of presentation

• Yihe Zhang
  The CITF1-mediated Regulatory Network of Cu homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana
• Martha Williams
  Garden-based Learning at Cornell Cooperative Extension Nassau County
• Jesse Zhou
  Maize genome prediction with human-based RNA Splicing models
• Lingwei Wan
  Molecular Differences between Tomato Immune Receptors Fls2 and Fls3
• Lily-Anne Trainor
  Evaluation of Plenty Belize Garden-Based Learning Programs
• Haoguang Yang
  Locating the genetic locus associated with weeping phenotype in Malus
• Matthew Szarzanowicz – Transgene-free editing of crop plants
• Ziqing Wei – Genetic Basis for Carotenoid Stability in Arabidopsis thaliana
• Zhaoqi Wang – Environmental Effects on Zamia integrifolia Leaflet Morphology
• Daniel Santander
  Computer Modeling for Greenhouses
• Benjamin Rouse
  Understanding How Inherent Noise Measurements Place Limits on High-Throughput Phenotyping
• Cassandra Proctor
  Investigating the role of replication factor C (RFC) genes during arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis
• Peter J. Oppenheimer
  Using Mass Spectrometry to Analyze the Host Response in Nicotiana Benthamiana to superinfection by Two Unrelated Viruses
• Claire Morrow
  Tarping for Weed Management in Reduced Tillage Systems
• Alexander Liu
  Comparing drought response in two C4 grasses using transcriptomic analysis
• Emma Kubinski
  Ecological Restoration at Ganondagan State Historic Site
• Jennifer King
  Herbaria for the Modern Day Botanist
• Christian Kanlian
  Reflections on Controlled Environment Agriculture
• Olivia Gomez
  Biofilm in the Rhizosphere
• Rosemary Glos
  Investigating Leaflet Anatomical Variation in the Cycad Genus Zamia
• Marlie Lukach
  The Future of Carbs
• Isabella Magna Yannuzzi
  How do we test for thrips resistance?
• David Xuecheng Zhang
  Developmental Changes of Carbohydrates in Peach Flesh
• Samuel Sterinbach
  The Effects of Herbicide on Loblolly Silviculture
• Raul Campo Lizama
  Grandma’s Potions: Discussion on Herbal Remedies and Cultural Identity among LatinX individuals