| 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 |
10-20
|
| Acceptable Undergraduate Majors |
Any!
|
Opportunity Description:
Plants detect potential pathogens and are able to deploy defense responses. Those defense responses include multiple strategies at the cell and molecular level. We use the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to dissect these processes, and we genetically engineer plants that have proteins of interest label with fluorescent markers to be visualized by fluorescent microscopy techniques. Undergraduate student will assist developing and screening genetically engineered lines and will learn basic laboratory procedures on plant biology such as seed sterilization and propagation and identifying plants having transgenic traits of interest.
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.