
Adams, Julia
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Ayyad, Asma
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Bellinger, Marschal
Faculty: Carolyn Rasmussen
Degrees: BS, Biological Science, California State University, East Bay, CA
Research Interest: I am currently researching molecular plant microbial interactions, observing how plants react to biotic stress factors.
Awards:
- Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship Recipient (2013-14)
- Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Fellowship Recipient (2013)

Blair, Emily
Faculty: Dawn Nagel
Degrees: BS, Biology, Pepperdine University, CA
Research Interest:I'm interested in understanding how the circadian clock regulates the plant temperature stress response.
Awards/Prizes: 2017-2018 Distinguished Award for Graduate Students; American Society of Plant Biology Travel Grant

Bohner, Teresa
Faculty: Jeff Diez
Degrees: BS Biological Science, Florida State University
Research Interest:
Research interests include plant community ecology. I am particularly interested in integrating population dynamic tools with experimental field studies to understand the consequences of global climate change on plant communities and how evolutionary processes affect populations.

Borowsky, Alexander
Faculty:
Degrees: B.A. Molecular and Cellular Biology, Vanderbilt University
Research Interest: Gene regulation; Plant metabolism; Computational biology

Burke, Selena
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Chang, Sun Hyun
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Collins, Courtney
Faculty: Jeff Diez
Degrees:
B.A. Environmental Science, University of Florida
M.S. Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development, University of Georgia
Research Interest: My research interests center on plant-soil feedbacks and how the interaction between plants and their soil environment affects species distributions, coexistence, and community composition, in particular with regards to range expanding native species.
Awards: 2015 Mary DeDecker Botanical Grant

Dedow, Lauren
(951) 827-6376
lauren.dedow@email.ucr.edu
Faculty: Julia Bailey Serres
Degrees: B.S, Biological Sciences- Plant Sciences, Michigan Technological University, MI
Research Interest: Post-transcriptional gene regulation is an important, yet relatively unstudied area of gene expression regulation, the role of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in these processes is understood even less. In animals, the RBP family of Pumillio-Puf domains proteins (PUMs) has been shown to control both developmental and stress related processes. Arabidopsis thaliana has 26 PUMs (APUMs) most of which are poorly understood. My research focuses on the investigation of the Group 3 APUMs including their localization, RNA targets and biological role in an effort to better understand the role RBPs play in gene regulation.
Awards: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Recipient (2012-2015)
Publications: Wang L, Si Y, Dedow LK, Shao Y, Lui P, Brutnell TP. (2011) A Low-Cost Library
Construction Protocol and Data Analysis Pipeline for Illumina-Based Strand-Specific Multiplex RNA-Seq. PLoS ONE 6: e26426.
Leadership and Outreach: Development of a Molecular Biology Undergraduate lab with Dr. Joanna Werner-Fraczek of Moreno Valley College

Hiraoka, Yoko (formerly Yoko Eck)
Faculty: Mike Roose
Degrees: BS, Neuroscience, Riverside, CA

Eckhardt, James
Faculty:
Degrees: B.A. Biological Sciences, Gustavus Adolphus College
Research Interest:

Focht, Eric
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Garceau, Danielle
Faculty: Linda Walling
Degrees: BS, Biology - Stonehill College
Research Interest: Plant defense; whitefly resistance mechanisms in cassava

Guzman, Michael
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Hann, Elizabeth
Faculty: Robert Jinkerson
Degrees: B.S. Environmental Systems, Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, minor in Marine Science, University of California, San Diego
Research Interests:In my research, I am using high-throughput genetic screening methods in a model green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to answer basic biological questions. Utilizing a mutant knockout library, I am working to identify genes important to lipid accumulation to improve engineering strategies to create an improved algae biofuel feedstock. I am also interested in chloroplast genomes and how they evolve. I am doing research into how, why, and at what frequency endosymbiotic gene transfer occurs from the chloroplast to the nuclear genome.
Publications:
Bauman, Nicholas, Srividya Akella, Elizabeth Hann, Robert Morey, Ariel S. Schwartz, Rob Brown, and Toby H. Richardson. "Next-Generation Sequencing of Haematococcus lacustris Reveals and Extremely Large 1.35-Megabase Chloroplast Genome." Genome Announcements 6, no. 12 (2019): e00181-18.

Harland-Dunaway, Marcus
Faculty:
Degrees:
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Herniter, Ira
Faculty: Timothy Close
Degrees: BS, Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Maryland College Park, MD
Research Interest:Plant breeding, orphan crops, consumer-related traits, seed coat color, seed coat pattern, leaf shape
Awards/Prizes: Research Innovation Fellowship for Agriculture (2018); James and Margaret Lesley Annual Prize (2018); Appleman-Norton Award in Botany (2015)

Huang, Yi
Faculty: Amy Litt
Degrees: BS, Bioscience, Beijing Normal University, China - Peoples Republic Of
Research Interest:

Ibsen, Peter
Faculty: Darrell Jenerette
Degrees: B.A. - University of San Francisco
Research Interest:

Jimenez Luna, Israel
Faculty: Philippe Rolshausen
Degree:
BS, Biology, UCLA, CA
MS, Biology, UCLA, CA
Research:

Kargul, Meg
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Kettenburg, Alek
Faculty: Julia Bailey-Serres
Degrees: BS, Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, UC Riverside
Research Interest: Abiotic stresses, such as flooding, drought, and nutrient poor soil are major obstacles limiting global crop production. My research focuses on understanding molecular responses to abiotic stress in Oryza sativa (rice) and Triticum aestivium (wheat).
aculty: Meng Chen
Degrees: BA Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
Research Interest: Plant response to changes in environment cues such as light and temperature; Nuclear Organization; Genetics, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Awards/Prizes: Chancellor's Distinguish Fellowship Award; 2018-2019 ASPB Conviron Scholar
Publications: Qiu, YJ., M., Kim, R.J., Moore, C. and Chen, M. (2018) Daytime temperature is sense by phytochrome B in Arabidopsis through a transcriptional activator HEMERA. Nat. Commun.

Kucera, Dion
Faculty: Darrel Jenerette
Degree:
BS, Humboldt State University, CA
MS Indiana University Blooming, IN
Research:

Lee, Travis
(951) 827-6376
travis.lee@email.ucr.edu
Faculty: Julia Bailey-Serres
Degrees:
BS, Biological Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA
MS, Molecular Biology, California State University Long Beach, CA
Research Interest: My research focuses on plant responses under low oxygen (hypoxia). Natural events, such as flooding, lead to decreased oxygen levels within the plant. To survive prolonged hypoxia stress, changes in metabolism must occur as a result of differential gene regulation, which is mediated by specific transcription factors. A specific group of ethylene response factors (ERFs) have been found to be important for hypoxia and submergence tolerance. The focus of my research aims to elucidate the roles and functions, as well as the network of genes and proteins associated with these specific ERFs.
Publications:
Lee, T. A., Vande Wetering, S. W., and Brusslan, J. A. (2013). Stromal protein degradation is incomplete in Arabidopsis thaliana autophagy mutants undergoing natural senescence. BMC Res Notes, 6, 17. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-17
Gasch P, Fundinger M, Muller JT, Lee T, Bailey-Serres J, Mustroph A (2016) Redundant ERF-VII Transcription Factors Bind to an Evolutionarily Conserved cis-Motif to Regulate Hypoxia-Responsive Gene Expression in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell 28: 160-180

Liu, Li
951-827-3178
Faculty: Xuemei Chen
Degrees:
BA, Biotechnology, South China Tropical Agricultural University, CHINA
MS, Botany, Shenzhen University, CHINA
Research Interest: My current research is focused on microRNA degradation and microRNA movement.

Lo, Sassoum
Faculty: Timothy Close
Degrees: BS Chemistry and Applied Biology, Cheikh Anta Diop University Dakar, Senegal
Research Interest: I am interested in crop domestication and crop genetic improvement. Specifically, my research is focused on determining the genetic basis of domestication-related traits in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), including pod shattering and seed size, and on studying the effect of increasing seed size on the nutritional quality of the cowpea grain.
Awards:
Travel award, PanAfrican Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference, Legume Innovation Lab (2016)
Graduate Studies Fellowship, West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (World Bank funds) (2014-2016)
Graduate Research Fellowship, Kirkhouse Trust Foundation, University of Virginia (2012)
Leadership and Outreach: Volunteer, “Where does food come from?” Outreach event for elementary school students (2015)
Publications:

Luscher, Elizabeth
(951) 827-7056
elizabeth.luscher@email.ucr.edu
Faculty: Patricia Springer
Degrees: BS, Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology, The Ohio State University
Research Interest: My research interests involve understanding the control of shoot architecture in monocots and dicots. Current work is focused on dissecting the relationship between the plant hormone brassinosteroid (BR) and the development of the ligular region in the maize leaf. The ligular region, which forms at the junction between the blade and sheath, regulates leaf inclination, which when altered can increase plant density and yield overall.
Awards:
- GAANN Fellowship Award - 16W

Maheepala, Dinusha
(951) 827-3914
dinusha.maheepala@email.ucr.edu
Degrees:
MS, Plant Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA
BS, Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA
Research Interest: Fleshy fruits have evolved multiple times during the evolution of angiosperms. My research involves studying the evolution and development of fleshy fruits in Solanaceae. I pay special attention to the role of FRUITFULL genes in these processes.
Awards:
- GAANN Fellowship Award - 16W
Leadership and Outreach:
- Volunteer, "Where Does Food Come From?", Botany and Plant Sciences outreach event at UCR (2013)
- Science fair judge, St. Catherine of Alexandria, Riverside CA (2013)

Marzolino, Jill
Faculty: Daniel Koenig
Degree: B.S. Plant Biology/ B.A. English , University of California, Davis
Research Interests:Plant Environmental Adaptation

Meza, Leticia
Faculty: Patricia Springer
Degree:
BS, Biology, Chicago State University, IL
Research:

Mills, Mystyn
Faculty:
Degree:
Research:

Mody, Tejasvinee Atul
Faculty: Dawn Nagel
Degrees: BS-MS, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India
Research Interest:Temperature regulation of Arabidopsis circadian clock by heat shock transcription factors
Awards: 2017, Dean's Distinguished Fellowship

Montgomery, Jonathan
Faculty: Milt McGiffen
Degrees: BS, Botany, Humboldt State University, CA
Research Interest: I am interested in plant/environment interactions, especially those relating to water use. My research is primarily focused on the manipulation of plant physiology through genetics with the goal of increasing drought tolerance.
Awards:
- GAANN Fellowship Award - 16W

Morrison, Glen
Faculty:
Degree:
Research:

Neher, Wesley
Faculty:
Degree:
Research:

Nejad, Dariush
Faculty:
Degree:
Research:

Ortiz, Irma
Faculty: Linda Walling
Degrees: BS, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, UCLA
Research Interest: Plants encounter biotic stresses in the field and they coordinate many signal transduction pathways for an effective defense. The Walling lab identified leucyl aminopeptidase A (LAP-A) is important to protect tomatoes against insect feeding. I am interested in understanding the key players downstream of LAP-A in the wound signaling pathway.
Awards:
- Ford Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship (2013-2016)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Honorable Mention (2013)
- ASPB Travel Grant (2013)
- NSF California Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship (2012-2013)
Publications:
- Schwartz AR, Ortiz I, Maymon M, Herbold C, Fujishige NA, Vijanderan J, Villella W, Hanamoto K, Diener A, Sanders ER, DeMason DA, and Hirsch AM (2013) Bacillus simplex- a little known PGPB with anti-fungal activity- alters pea legume root architecture and nodule morphology when coinoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae. Agronomy 3: 595.
- Grigorian M, Mandal L, Hakimi M, Ortiz I, Hartenstein V (2011) The convergence of Notch and MAPK signaling specifies the blood progenitor fate in the Drosophila mesoderm. Developmental Biology 353: 105.
- Spindler SR, Ortiz I, Fung S, Takashima S, Hartenstein V (2009) Drosophila cortex and neuropile glia influence secondary axon tract growth, pathfinding, and fasciculation in the developing larval brain. Developmental Biology 334: 355.
Leadership and Outreach:
- UCR Chicano Link Peer Mentor to incoming undergraduate students (2013)
- Annual Inland Empire Science Olympiad assistant (2013)
- Bridge to the Doctorate Graduate Student Panelist to an undergraduate student audience in UCR and UCI (2012)
- Led a “Fruit and Veggies” station for one hundred elementary students in Annual Botany and Plant Sciences event “Where Does Food Come From?” (2012-2013)

Phillips, Michala
Faculty: Edith Allen
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Piña, Michael
Faculty: Milton McGiffen
Degrees: B.S., Biology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Research Interest: My dissertation work investigates the effects of the soil amendment biochar on the ability of agronomic legumes to add nitrogen to the soil. I am broadly interested in sustainable food systems and cultural practices that enhance soil fertility and reduce energy inputs in agriculture. I believe that food security and environmental sustainability are critical to a healthy and vibrant world community.
Awards:
- Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation, 2014
- Fellow, Borlaug Summer Institute on Global Food Security, Purdue University, 2015

Piper, Stephanie
Faculty: Darrel Jenerette
Degrees:B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University; M.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University
Research Interests:Urban ecology, nitrogen cycling, landscape ecology

Plong, Alexander
Faculty: Venu Gonehal
Degrees: BS, MS - Cal State Long Beach
Research Interest:

Qu, Han
Faculty: Arthur Jia
Degree: BAR, Ornamental Horticulture, Beijing Forestry University, China
Research:

Rajewski, Alex
Faculty: Amy Litt
Degrees: MS - University of Georgia Athens, GA, BS - Drake University, IA
Research Interest: During the evolution of angiosperms, there has frequently been a transition from dry to fleshy fruits. I study the evolution of dry vs fleshy fruits in the nightshade (Solanaceae) plant family focusing on the dry fruit of tabacco and the role of the transcription factor FRUITFULL.
Awards:
- Eugene Cota-Robles - 15F
- American Society for Horticultural Science Travel Grant - 15S, 16S, 17S
- American Society for Horticultural Science 3-Minute Thesis 1st Place- 15S, 16S
- GAANN Fellowship Award - 16F
- American Society of Plant Biologists, Conviron Fellow- 17S
- UCR Grad Slam, Honorable Mention- 17W, 18W
Leadership and Outreach:
- Graduate Student Peer Mentor, 2016-Present
- American Society for Horticultural Science, Membership and Member Services Task Force, 2016-Present
- American Society for Horticultural Science, Grad Student Working Group Co-Chair, 2015-2016
Publications:
Classification and phylogenetic analyses of the Arabidopsis and tomato G-type lectin receptor kinases. Teixeira, M., A. Rajewski, J. He, O. Castaneda, A. Litt, I. Kaloshian. 2018. BMC Genomics. 19(1):239. DOI:10.1186/s12864-018-4606-0

Rattner, Rachel
Faculty: Mikeal Roose
Degrees: BS, Biotechnology, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Research Interest: My research project involves investigating the importance of small RNA molecules, which regulate the expression of genes, during citrus development and their impact on citrus fruit quality. There is evidence that some of these molecules can move from shoots to roots and from roots to shoots. Therefore, small RNAs produced in citrus roots may regulate gene expression in the fruits. The results from this project will be useful to citrus breeders in the future.
Awards:
- Frontiers and Techniques in Plant Science - a Cold Spring Harbor Workshop, Travel Grant (2012)
- Charles W. Coggins Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund (2013)
Leadership and Outreach:
- Co-Chair, Botany Graduate Student Association (2013-2014)
- Graduate Student Representative, Educational Advisory Committee, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences (2013-2014)

Roche, Paul
Faculty: Linda Walling Degrees: BS, Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside Research Interest: Enzyme leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and its role as a molecular chaperone within the cell. |

Rodriguez, Clarissa
Faculty:Loralee Larios
Degrees: BS, Environmental Biology, California State University Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA
Research Interest:

Santana, Israel
Faculty: Juan Pablo Giraldo
Degree:
BS, Natural and Social Science, Cal State University Los Angeles, CA
Research:

Schwartz, Michael
Faculty: Patricia Springer
Degrees: BS, Biological Sciences and Plant Biology, North Carolina State University
Research Interest:

Sears, Colin
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Semotiuk, Andrew
(951) 827-3546
andrew.semotiuk@email.ucr.edu
Website:
ezcurralab.ucr.edu/asemotiuk/
asemotiuk.html
Faculty: Exequiel Ezcurra
Degrees:
BS, Biochemistry, Walla Walla University, WA
MS, Biochemistry, Loma Linda University, CA
Research Interest: My research interests include ethnobotany and ecology of medicinal plant communities. Currently, I am investigating the medicinal plant populations and collecting practices in the Yaqui and Mayo River Valleys of Sonora, Mexico. Understanding the interactions between people and these natural resources gives insight to the sustainability of the ecosystem and cultural diversity that depends on it.
Awards:
- Grant, UC MEXUS Small Grant (2013)
Publications:
- Semotiuk A, Cus M, Semotiuk N (2012) Modern education and culture impact on both language and botanical healing traditions of the Maya in Belize. Acta Horticulturae 1: 205-210.
- Adeoye OO, Butler SM, Hubbell MC, Semotiuk A, Williams JM, Pearce WJ (2013) Contribution of increased VEGF receptors to hypoxic changes in fetal ovine carotid artery contractile proteins. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 304: C656-665.
- Hubbell MC, Semotiuk AJ, Thorpe RB, Adeoye OO, Butler SM, Williams JM, Khorram O, Pearce WJ (2012) Chronic hypoxia and VEGF differentially modulate abundance and organization of myosin heavy chain isoforms in fetal and adult ovine arteries. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 303: C1090-1103.
- Butler SM, Abrassart JM, Hubbell MC, Adeoye O, Semotiuk A, Williams JM, Mata-Greenwood E, Khorram O, Pearce WJ (2011) Contributions of VEGF to age-dependent transmural gradients in contractile protein expression in ovine carotid arteries. American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 301: C653-C666.
Leadership and Outreach:
- Planting Science Mentor, Society for Economic Botany (online) (2012-present)
- Participant, Plant biology experimental afternoons, Casa Hogar de Niños Betesda, Navojoa, Mexico)

Shirai, Miwa
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Teller, Noah
Faculty: Travis Bean
Degree: BA, Biology, Whitman College, WA
Research: I am broadly interested in investigating novel strategies and refining existing restoration techniques that improve ecological sequestration of greenhouse gases in working landscapes and wild lands without significantly compromising on traditional restoration goals such as protecting biodiversity and safeguarding ecosystem services. I would like to develop strategies of minimal intervention and disturbance that reduce the use of heavy machinery, herbicides, and chemical inputs to control cost and that are feasible in highly restricted or rugged areas such as designated Wilderness. I hope to orient my research towards informing concrete policies and advocating for interagency and private-public coordinated action to protect the lands we depend on for our survival, quality of life, economy, and culture.Target systems for these goals include grazed lands dominated by invasive annual grasses in California’s lower elevations and forest systems impacted by severe fire in the Sierra Nevada and California Coast ranges.

Thomas, Patrick
Faculty: Linda Walling
Degrees: BS, Agricultural Science, Pennsylvania State University, PA
Research Interest:

Thomas, Zachary
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

To, Kevin
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Toth, Jessica
(951) 827-6991
jtoth001@ucr.edu
Faculty: Jaimie Van Norman
Degrees:
B.S. Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside
B.S. Plant Biology, University of California, Riverside
Research Interest: I am interested in studying the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) and its pathway and corresponding receptors within the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. ABA has many potential agricultural applications and promotes drought tolerance in plants

Uyehara, Aimee
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Valenzuela, Alex
Faculty:
Degrees: BS, Biology, California State University Bakersfield
Research Interest:

Villanueva-Almanza, Lorena
(951) 8272869
lorena.villanuevaalmanza@email.ucr.edu
Faculty: Exequiel Ezcurra
Degrees: BS, Biology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico. MSc, Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
Research Interest: I am interested in the origins and ecology of the native and introduced plants of the missions of the Baja California Peninsula. Understanding their origin and interactions amongst themselves, the surrounding human populations and the abiotic factors can help tailor conservation strategies.
Awards:
- 2014-2018 National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT-UCMEXUS) Scholarship
- 2014-2015 Mexican Ministry of Education (SEP) Scholarship
- 2013 Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Distinction for dissertation titled Risk Assessment of Seven Timber Species in the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Kenya and Tanzania
- 2012-2013 National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) Scholarship
Publications:
Villanueva-Almanza L. 2014. Garryaceae. In: Medina-Lemos R., J.G. Sánchez-Ken, A. García-Mendoza & S. Arias-Montes (eds.). Flora del Valle de Tehuacán- Cuicatlán 116: 1-9. Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
Villanueva-Almanza L. 2012. Phytolaccaceae. In: Medina-Lemos R., J.G. Sánchez-Ken, A. García-Mendoza & S. Arias-Montes (eds.). Flora del Valle de Tehuacán- Cuicatlán 105: 1-17. Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
http://www.ibiologia.unam.mx/barra/publicaciones/floras_tehuacan/2013/F105_Phy.pdf
Martínez-López M. & L. Villanueva-Almanza. 2012. Primulaceae. In: Medina-Lemos R., J.G. Sánchez-Ken, A. García-Mendoza & S. Arias-Montes (eds.). Flora del Valle de Tehuacán- Cuicatlán 101: 1-24. Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
http://www.ibiologia.unam.mx/barra/publicaciones/floras_tehuacan/F101_Pri.pdf
Villanueva-Almanza L. 2011. Loasaceae. In: Medina-Lemos R., J.G. Sánchez-Ken, A. García-Mendoza & S. Arias-Montes (eds.). Flora del Valle de Tehuacán- Cuicatlán 93: 1-24. Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
http://www.ibiologia.unam.mx/barra/publicaciones/floras_tehuacan/2012/F93_Loas.pdf
Villanueva-Almanza L. & R. María Fonseca-Juárez. 2011. Revisión Taxonómica y Distribución Geográfica de Ephedra en México. (Taxonomic revision of genus Ephedra in Mexico) Acta Botánica Mexicana 96: 79-116

Wang, Jianqiang
Faculty: Thomas Eulgem
Degree:
BS, Biological Sciences, Fujian Agriculture& Forestry University, China
MS, Plant Pathology, Fujian Agriculture& Forestry University, China
Research:

Wang, Meiyue
Faculty: Shizhong Xu
Degrees: BS, Plant Science-Crop Production Management, California State University, Fresno
Research Interest: My research focuses on developing new statistical methods for testing population differentiation due to selection using genome-wide molecular marker data.

Wendlandt, Camille
(951) 827-3455
cwend001@ucr.edu
Faculty: Joel Sachs
Degrees: BS, Biology, Seattle Pacific University, WA
Research Interest: I am broadly interested in the ecology of legume root nodulation by symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Specifically, I want to understand how legumes integrate signals from the rhizosphere, such as nutrient availability and microbe community dynamics, in the decision to initiate nodulation with potential symbionts.
Publications: Campbell DF, Wendlandt CE (2013). Altered precipitation affects plant hybrids differently than their parental species. American Journal of Botany 100: 1322-1331.

White, Alexandra
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Williams, Courun
cwill019@ucr.edu
Faculty:
Degrees: BS, Biology, North Carolina University
Research Interests:

Winte, Sonja
Faculty: Julia Bailey-Serres
Degrees: BS-Genetics and BA-English, UC Davis--Davis, CA
Research Interest: Plant development; plant plasticity in response to environmental stress
Publications: Ron M, Kajala K, Pauluzzi G, Wang D, Reynoso MA, Zumstein K, Garcha J, Winte S, Masson H, Inagaki S, Federici F, Sinha N, Deal RB, Bailey-Serres J, and Brady SM (2014). Hairy root transformation using Agrobacterium rhizogenes as a tool for exploring cell type-specific gene expression and function using tomato as a model. Plant Physiology; 166(2): 455-469.
Awards:
- GAANN Fellowship Award - 16W

Xi, Meng
Faculty:
Degrees:
Research Interest:

Xing, Zenan
Faculty: Sean Cutler
Degree:
BS, Biotechnology, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
MS, Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Research

Zhu, Yi
(951) 827-4413
yi.zhu@email.ucr.edu
Faculty: Mikeal Roose
Degrees: BS, Biology, University of Science and Technology of China
Research Interest: I'm interested in molecular analysis of induced mutation in citrus varieties. It includes both bioinformatics prediction and molecular validations for the differences between parent and mutant.
Publications: Fang P, Wang J, Li X, Guo M, Xing L, Cao X, Zhu Y, Gao Y, Niu L, Teng M. (2009) Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of Escherichia coli RNase G. Acta Cryst. F65, 586-588