Andie Gonzales Diaz (M.S. student)

M.S. Plant Pathology, Physiology & Weed Science, Virginia Tech, 2020

B.S. Engineer-Agronomy, Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, 2012

Email: agonzalesdiaz@agcenter.lsu.edu

Research: 

Identifying miRNA functions in host plant and aphid interactions. 

Srabani Saha (Ph.D. student)

M.S. Agriculture and Agrifood, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2024

Email: ssaha9@lsu.edu

Research: Deciphering the influence of miRNA in enhancing pest management; insight from soybean and stinkbug interaction dynamics.

Learning and exploring continuously fuel my curiosity and zest for life. It is a journey I am excited to continue, forever expanding my horizons.  

Yaping Ding (Ph.D. student)

M.S. Plant Protection, Jilin university, 2024

B.S. Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, 2021

Email: YDing@agcenter.lsu.edu

Research interest: 

Focus on elucidating the regulatory mechanisms, particularly microRNA dictating gene expression in aphid bacteriocytes.

Leighton E Flanagan

Under graduate student, 2024

Junior in Applied Coastal Environmental Science with a Minor in Music

Louisiana State University

Email: lflana2@lsu.edu

Research: 

Identifying genes that influence aphid fitness through plant-mediated virus-induced gene silencing. 

Hobbies: 

Everything art, particularly music. I love to play in the concert ensembles at LSU, practice solo repertoire, sing, and play in smaller ensembles such as duets or the LSU tuba-euphonium ensemble. I also love to be out in nature and to be active outside, particularly through walking, hiking, playing soccer, or playing pickleball.