Dr. Suchismita Ghosh
I am a highly motivated plant biologist, interested in plant-pathogen interactions and disease resistance. My research includes identifying novel structures at plant-fungal interaction sites and identifying plant extracellular vesicles as defense structures against pathogens. I am currently developing expansion microscopy in plants to identify novel regulators for plant defense. I am a passionate molecular and cell biologist with experience in cloning, protein biology, RNA biology, Scanning Electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, plant transformation and greenhouse studies. I am also passionate about scientific outreach and science communication, especially amongst first-generation college students like me, to cultivate the next generation of scientists and leaders.
Keywords
Molecular Biology, Microscopy, RNA biology, Plant Genetics, Plant Expansion Microscopy, Plant-Fungal Interaction studies, SEM of Plant-Pathogen Interaction Sites
Dr. Mitiku Mengistu
I am a Plant Geneticist and Computational Data Scientist with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. My expertise spans plant functional genomics, genome assembly, plant breeding, CRISPR-Cas genome editing, and transcriptomics, complemented by Cornell certificates in Data Science, Applied Machine Learning, and AI. I specialize in bridging molecular biology with computational analysis, using R and Python to construct statistical models and data pipelines. Relocating to the St. Louis area this summer, I am eager to connect with industry leaders and research teams to advance innovative, sustainable crop science solutions.
Keywords
CRISPR, Breeding, Bioinformatics, R/Python, Genome Editing, Field Research, Data Analysis
Dr. Kuo-En Chen
I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, where I use molecular biology and LC-MS/MS-based quantitative proteomics to study plant defense, protein quality control, and crop improvement. My research has been published in Nature Plants, Nature Communications, and Plant Direct. Earlier in my career, my work led to the development of a molecular marker for postharvest ripening that is now used in guava breeding in Taiwan. More recently, I developed a patented nitrogen-use-efficiency (NUE) technology that improved rice yields by 10% in field trials. My research experience spans plant molecular biology, crop science, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, and proteomics. I enjoy tackling challenging research problems and work effectively both independently and as part of collaborative, cross-functional teams.
Keywords
Plant Molecular Biology, LC-MS/MS-proteomics, Crop Science, Crop Improvement, Quantitative Proteomics, Project Leadership
Dr. Catherine Odhiambo
I am a Protein Engineer and Molecular Biologist with a Ph.D. in Chemistry and a minor in Molecular Biotechnology from North Carolina State University. My research focused on engineering proteins via directed evolution, developing technologies to accelerate protein engineering and optimizing biosynthesis pathways. I have experience in recombinant protein expression, protein library construction, molecular cloning, assay development, and structure-guided protein engineering. During my internship at Bayer Crop Science, I applied these skills in a collaborative industrial research environment supporting early-stage discovery programs. I enjoy developing technologies that enable scientific discovery and am seeking opportunities in biotechnology, agricultural research, and pharmaceuticals.
Keywords
Protein Engineering, Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Protein Library Construction, Assay Development, Recombinant DNA Construction
Dr. Emily Indriolo
I am a plant biology leader with deep experience designing, implementing, and interpreting controlled-environment plant studies. I have developed novel transformation methods and applied my technical expertise in plant development, physiology, and reproductive biology to understand plant responses to abiotic and biotic stimuli. This was possible by the use of cross- functional collaboration between teams, with expertise in microscopy-driven and molecular analyses in model and non-model plant species. My experience is broad from academic environments to early stage AgTech startup evaluating product concepts in row crops. I am a strong communicator able to deliver presentations to a wide range of audiences and writing skills for grants, publications, and general audiences.
Keywords
Plant Development, Phenotyping, Experimental Design/Analysis, Project Management
Sofía Gerena Godoy
Sofia performed as Graduate Researcher and Project Manager at Purdue University, where she recently completed her MSc in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. She builds data systems and analytics pipelines that support decision-making in agriculture — from dashboards used for daily tasks by the dairy farm staff to geospatial analysis and bioinformatics projects with industry partners like Syngenta and Elanco. As Project Manager for The Data Mine, she led a cross-discipline team to deliver insights for corporate sponsors. Her background spans Python, SQL, Docker, and Grafana, with a focus on turning operational data into tools that improve efficiency and support sustainable agriculture. She's looking to bring that experience into data science roles in agtech, biotech, or applied science.
Keywords
Data Analytics, Python, Agricultural Systems, Frame Problems, Design Systems
Shreya Veeravelli
My name is Shreya Veeravelli, and I am passionate about creating food products that are safe and benefit people. I hold a B.S. in Food Science & Technology from Texas A&M University with minors in Environmental Soil Science and Chemistry and have completed an internship in the food manufacturing space at Land O’ Lakes. I recently graduated with my M.S. in Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University and produced two first-author publications to detail two separate projects. These projects together evaluated how the physiology (i.e. whole-plant nonstructural carbohydrate allocation and storage) of almond trees can be impacted by agricultural practices (i.e. breeding) and a changing environment (i.e. drought). Since then, I have been committed to working at the intersection of agricultural practices, agroecosystem resilience, and nutritional quality (e.g. consultant for local nonprofits advocating for environmental resilience and localized food systems, research fellowship in Sydney, Australia).
Keywords
R coding, Quantitative Analysis, Plant Ecophysiology, Project Management, Fieldwork, Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Callie Fitzgerald
Established professional in inventory management and quality compliance with experience across agricultural biotechnology, cannabis cultivation, and spirits manufacturing. Proven track record of overhauling inventory systems, implementing RFID technology, and building Quality Management Systems that strengthen operational effectiveness. Well-versed in regulatory compliance, including FDA, HACCP, and SDS documentation, with hands-on proficiency across multiple ERP and LIMS platforms. Skilled in writing Standard Operating Procedures, leading process improvement initiatives, and supporting audit readiness through meticulous documentation. Experienced in cross-functional collaboration, employee onboarding, and safety committee leadership, with a background in international shipment compliance. Holds a Bachelor of Science in Plant and Environmental Soil Science from Texas A&M University, bringing a strong scientific foundation to inventory and quality operations.
Keywords
Controlled Environment growing, Regulatory Shipping, Project Management, Process Improvement, Documentation
Maya O'Callaghan
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Dr. Mae Mercado
I am a plant molecular physiologist experienced in integrating molecular biology, plant genetics, photosynthesis, and climate resilience. I am experienced in using forward and reverse genetics approaches to study gene function in plant systems. I am also trained in managing multiple research projects that involve wet laboratory experimental design and execution, controlled environment studies and field research. I am passionate about advancing and communicating fundamental plant science discoveries to breeding approaches for crop improvement in terms of yield, climate resilience, and sustainability.
Keywords
Plant Genetics, RNAseq, Plant Physiology, Data Analysis, Field and Controlled Environment Research, Science Communication
Dr. Tyler Thrash
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Samantha Nuzzi
I am a plant molecular and cell biologist with extensive imaging experience, as well as knowledge of cloning and disease resistance. Currently, I’m a PhD candidate from the University of Missouri at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, scheduled to defend Fall 2026. I thrive in diverse environments that value communication and impactful, collaborative research. I am driven to build a better future in two ways: by improving plant resistance to disease, and by educating others - whether through scientific and professional mentoring or by connecting with the general public. I look forward to meeting professionals who share these goals and exploring opportunities to collaborate.
Keywords
Cloning, Microscopy, Viruses, Bench Work, Imaging
Dr. Brianna Griffin
Brianna Griffin earned a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Biological Sciences from Florida State University in 2017, where she served as Program Coordinator for the Women in Math, Science, and Engineering (WIMSE) program. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Plant Biology with a specialization in Predictive Plant Phenomics from Iowa State University. Her research focuses on understanding how post-translational modifications regulate plant-pathogen interactions and affect plant immunity. Brianna is a USDA NIFA Fellow and served as Chair of the Early Career Plant Scientists (ECPS) section of the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), where she helped support professional development and engagement within the plant science community. Outside of the lab, she enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and camping.
Keywords
Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Proteomics, Science Communication, Cross-team Collaboration, Data Analysis
Sasi Velchuri
I'm a Pivot to Plants Fellow at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, contributing to the Shakoor Lab. Where I turn messy, real-world field and drone data into tools that plant scientists trust and use. I came into this program to pivot into data science and plant research, and I've spent the year building skills in remote sensing, machine learning, and research computing alongside scientists, while co-mentoring undergraduates. I like working at the seam between science and engineering, digging into the biology to know what a canopy trait or vegetation index means, then building the pipelines and models that put insight into a researcher's hands. I take ownership of problems end-to-end, from what's needed to something the lab can rely on. I'm comfortable moving between deep technical work and non-technical collaborators, and I'm looking to bring that curiosity and ownership to a data science role within an industry setting.
Keywords
Python, Machine Learning Modeling, Geospatial/Remote Sensing, Data Analysis, Automation/Pipelines
Kristiana Thong
I am currently a Pivot to Plants Research Fellow at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, where I study how maize responds to environmental stresses using metabolomics and data analysis in R. Before joining the fellowship, I spent several years working in Cambodia in both agriculture and marketing. My interests include plant science, entomology, and data analysis, and I'm excited to continue exploring where those fields intersect. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, hearing about their career journeys, and learning about the many career paths within the AgTech space.
Keywords
Agriculture, integrated pest management (IPM), entomology, R, marketing, laboratory work & data analysis