| Faculty Advisor |
Clemencia Rojas
|
|---|---|
| Contact Email | crojas2@unl.edu |
| Advisor College: |
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
|
| Potential UCARE Research Position? |
Yes! Student(s) must apply to UCARE by February deadline.
|
| Paid or Volunteer |
Paid by UCARE Stipend or Volunteer
|
| Hours Per Week |
10
|
| Acceptable Undergraduate Majors |
Any!
|
Opportunity Description:
Plants respond to pathogens by activating a plant defense system that has some commonalities to humans' immune system. We are advancing the characterization of plant immunity by using a model plant named Arabidopsis thaliana. We have generated genetically engineered plants that express fluorescent proteins that move inside the cell to deploy defense responses. Undergraduate students working in this project, will assist a postdoctoral researcher growing Arabidopsis seeds under sterile conditions and identify seeds that have the desirable genetic modifications.
Faculty Advisor Mentoring Philosophy:
Undergraduate students will have a dedicated mentor who will demonstrate each one of the procedures and will work side-by-side with the student until student gains proficiency to start conducting independent experiments. To gain sense of belonging to the lab, it is expected that student engages in other laboratory activities such as lab meetings and journal clubs as well as social activities such as birthday celebrations. Faculty mentor will meet with student the first day to define expectations and introduce students to lab culture. Faculty mentor will schedule bi-weekly meetings with student to evaluate progress, provide feedback and plan future steps.