Hometown: Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania
B.S.: Cornell University (2011)
Research Interests: Broadly, my research interests are in using marker-based breeding strategies to improve crops in terms of their nutritional quality and adaptation to lower input systems. Currently, one of my projects focuses on using association mapping to identify chromosomal regions associated with improved nitrogen use efficiency in barley. My other project seeks to evaluate how well genomic selection works in terms of gain from selection and maintenance of genetic variation when implemented to initiate a breeding program for winter barley. Looking forward, I hope to pursue these types of research questions as a professor in plant breeding.
Fun Fact: In 2014, I won a ribbon (and $2!!) at the MN State Fair for a sweater I knitted entered in the needlecrafts competition!
