My post high school goals include: Pursuing higher education in the creatives.

STEM courses I have taken: Integrated Math, Honors Integrated Math II, Honors Integrated Math III, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, Honors Science Research, IDEA, Intro to Engineering Design, Industrial Tech, Photo Imaging, Audio/Video Fundamentals, Audio/Video A & B, and Graphic Design Fundamentals.

Current research overview: I am researching the effect of the plant hormone Zeatin Riboside (ZR), when externally applied to the lawn grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, during drought stress. 

Abstract

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is a widely used cool-season turfgrass, but its susceptibility to drought has been the subject of extensive research. Previous studies have reported hormonal changes in Kentucky Bluegrass during drought conditions, including Abscisic Acid (ABA) increased, and the levels of Trans-zeatin Riboside (ZR), Isopentenyl Adenosine (IPA), and Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) decreased (Zhang, 2019). Exogenous application of ABA was beneficial and improved drought tolerance. (Wang, 2003). Similar effects were suggested for the ZR application (Man, 2011). ZR is a cytokine that maintains cell membrane integrity, increases antidosis and photosynthetic efficiency, regulates stomatal conductance, and supports root growth (Goldbio, 2025). 

This experiment was designed to see the effect of externally applied ZR on Kentucky Bluegrass under drought conditions. A mixture of 17.5 mg in 500 mL of water was made (making approximately 100µM concentration) (Chang). It was sprayed on the ZR-tested plants for an exposure period of 3 days prior to drought (Zhang, 2019). Plants were subjected to drought conditions for 28 days. Results indicate a slight, albeit not significant, trend that ZR helps with Chlorophyll concentration. As expected, there is a significant difference between well-watered plants and plants in drought conditions. There is no difference between the ZR-treated ones. The findings suggest that exogenous ZR application may potentially enhance drought tolerance in Kentucky Bluegrass, although further research is warranted to establish conclusive results.