My research experience with Neurospora crassa and Phytophthora infestans encompasses a wide range of molecular techniques, including PCR, RT-qPCR, fusion protein design and development, DNA- and RNP-based transformation of fungal and oomycete tissues, and confocal microscopy.
Summary of Molecular Scientific and Technical Achievements
In N. crassa
Developed a successful “double-selection procedure” for N. crassa to improve targeted genome integration using low-efficiency selectable markers. This technique worked and saved the lab significant resources.
Discovered a major limitation in Cas9 expression that laid the groundwork for future research into fungal gene expression. *
*Burrell, N., Rhoades, N., Boyd, A., Mierendorf, J., Yusifov, A., Harvey, A., Edwards, K., Vogel, L. & Hammond, T. M. (n.d.). Investigating expression of a human optimized cas9 transgene in Neurospora crassa. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.29.424703
In P. infestans
Demonstrated the catalytically active form of Cas9 is not readily expressed*
*Ah-Fong, A. M. V., Boyd, A. M., Matson, M. E. H., & Judelson, H. S. (2021). A Cas12a-based gene editing system for Phytophthora infestans reveals monoallelic expression of an elicitor. Molecular Plant Pathology, 22(6), 737–752. https://doi.org/10.1111/mpp.13051
Additional statements from Master of Science advisor
Research and Academic Excellence
Deep understanding of CRISPR literature, even surpassing advisor’s knowledge in the field.
Conducted experiments independently with minimal guidance.
Among the top graduate students in intelligence, maturity, teaching, motivation, and independence.
High GRE scores and strong academic performance throughout graduate studies.
Leadership and Collaboration
One of only two students elected to the ISU Graduate Student Council during advisor’s 12-year tenure.
Volunteered extensively to mentor peers, spending an estimated 40 hours helping struggling undergraduates in programming and genomics.
Collaborated across disciplines, adapting plant DNA extraction techniques for crayfish to support another lab’s neuroscience research, leading to a new research direction in that lab.
Demonstrated adaptability and problem-solving, successfully modifying molecular methods for new systems.
Communication and Personal Qualities
Strong scientific communication skills, delivering an excellent M.S. thesis presentation.
Confident and collegial, engaging comfortably with both faculty and students.