Original Article posted here.
What program are you in, and what drew you to this field of study?
I’m a 4th-year PhD candidate in the ecology, evolution, environment, and society graduate program (EEES). I study the dispersal ecology of mycorrhizal fungi, which are fungi that live in mutually-beneficial relationships with plants.
One reason I’m interested in studying the dispersal of these fungi is because of climate change. With climate change, we expect many ecologically and societally important tree species in the U.S. to shift their range via seed dispersal north or up in elevation to account for a warmer climate.
However, we do not yet know if these fungi—that support tree growth and survival, especially in the seedling phase—can also shift their ranges via spore dispersal in response to the changing climate. So, better predictions of how mycorrhizal fungi disperse across the landscape can help us better picture what our changing terrestrial ecosystems will look like.
Where do you consider your hometown, and how has your background or early experiences influenced your path into your field of study?
I’m from Cranford, a town in Union County, New Jersey. Union County is part of the New York Metro Area and unfortunately earned the nickname “The Chemical Coast” due to the density of heavy industry. In addition, my home county is in the 99.5th percentile for population density in the U.S.—the number of residents per square mile is more than double Los Angeles County, for example!
Given where I’m from, coupled with my passion for service, I originally planned to be a social worker and went to college with that goal in mind. It wasn’t until I was in college and I was introduced to environmental remediation that I decided to enter my current field of study.
The environment I saw most while growing up led me to believe that humans have an irreparably negative impact on nature, but learning about ecosystem restoration, environmental policy, and soil clean-up techniques gave me hope that we can make positive change.
Where did you earn your undergraduate degree, and how did your academic journey lead you to Dartmouth?
I went to the University of Vermont for my undergraduate degree in environmental science. I was fortunate to receive a liberal arts education and I thoroughly enjoyed taking courses from across the spectrum of disciplines that make up environmental science.
After working at an environmental testing lab in Burlington for a year, I then went on to earn my master’s in forest ecology from Purdue University. There I worked on a project assessing the use of prescribed forest fires with the goal of regenerating more oak seedlings into the canopy.
I became increasingly interested in the belowground dynamics of forests, which led me to start another project on how these fires may impact mycorrhizal fungi, and that eventually led me to my current lab and projects at Dartmouth!
What excites you about your research?
What excites me the most are the potential applications to real-world scenarios. There are mycorrhizal fungi in the soil and plants right outside your window, they’re found in nearly all terrestrial ecosystems on Earth. Understanding how these plentiful and helpful fungi move around can, for example, assist foresters with regenerating seedlings, sustain a farmer’s crop yields during a drought, or boost a land manager’s prairie restoration project.
I’m also excited to be in such a dynamic, flourishing field. New technologies, like DNA sequencing and powerful microscopes, are revealing interesting features of mycorrhizal fungi nearly every day. I’m looking forward to seeing where the field goes and what role it will play in developing and implementing climate and sustainability solutions.
Which faculty members are you collaborating with on your research, and how have their mentorship or research perspectives shaped your approach?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with many faculty members both in and outside of the EEES program. I’ve worked closely with my advisor, Bala Chaudhary, and our lab group to develop my projects and carry them out.
I also collaborate with my graduate committee members—Lauren Culler, Theresa Ong, and Ross Virginia—to refine research questions and analytical approaches. Through this award, I was able to collaborate with my external graduate committee member, Dr. Ryan Stephens at East Tennessee State University.
Being able to work closely with so many faculty members has been supremely beneficial for my professional development as I can learn different approaches to the research process and receive various types of mentorship that often complement each other.
How will the Alumni Research Award help advance your current project, and what new possibilities will it create for your upcoming field and lab work?
The Alumni Research Award enabled me to carry out a laboratory experiment to complement one of my dissertation projects. The experiment I carried out through this award allowed me to directly test the viability of various mycorrhizal fungal spores that were consumed by mice, mimicking what happens in the wild.
This experiment adds depth to my other research project which aims to identify fungi found in rodent scat without assessing the viability (and thus dispersal capability) of those fungi. If we know which spores stay viable after being eaten by rodents, we can better predict how those spores might move from place to place and establish new populations of fungi.
If we find that spores don’t stay viable after being eaten, then that means the fungal DNA I find in rodent scat may be old and degraded and will not meaningfully contribute to dispersal. However, if these spores can survive, then I anticipate follow-up projects to investigate which traits support their survival so we can generalize results beyond the six species we tested.
Why did you choose Dartmouth to pursue your degree?
I chose Dartmouth because of the people. I have unparalleled support and a great community around me. The Chaudhary Lab is one of a handful of labs that explicitly study the dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi. My advisor’s approach to research and mentorship drew me in, and the excellent lab group she’s curated keeps me coming back.
The support we receive in the ENVS department, especially from Kim Wind and Paul Metzler, is unlike anywhere else. Finally, the EEES grad student community is THE BEST. We have a culture of rigorous research, but also compassion and encouragement.
Which resources, career support programs, or professional development opportunities at Dartmouth have been most valuable to you, and how have they impacted your experience?
There are so many resources and opportunities at Dartmouth that at times it’s overwhelming! Our graduate student union (GOLD-UE) has been a great resource for information and support. The CIMER mentorship training is another great resource for mentorship best practices and provides an opportunity to reflect on your professional self.
The library is the resource I probably use most often. In this wild academic publishing landscape where so much research only exists behind paywalls, I really appreciate that they’re able to provide free scans of any journal article I request. They’re even able to find digitized versions of old, obscure papers which is just remarkable!
Outside of your studies, what are some of your hobbies or creative interests?
My favorite hobby is hanging out with my dog, Marla. She’s a 7-year-old Australian cattle dog who loves to play frisbee and soccer, go on hikes, and swim in any type of water.
Another hobby I’ve had for most of my life is reading. Some of my favorite recent reads include: The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin, The Wax Child by Olga Ravn (translated by Martin Aitken), The Antidote by Karen Russell, One Day, Everyone will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad, Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico (translated by Sophie Hughes), Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner, and Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius (translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles).
What is your favourite place or activity at Dartmouth or in the Upper Valley, and why?
One of my favorite spots in the Upper Valley is Dan & Whit’s in Norwich. If they don’t have it, you truly do not need it! Another great place is the Quechee Green, which is where I take my dog to play and swim. My favorite place on campus is Rauner Special Collections Library. The building is so beautiful and has great natural lighting. Plus, there’s a taxidermied penguin on display. How cool is that?