Dr. Cristy Portales-Reyes Postdoctoral researcher 2020-2022 Cristy is now an assistant professor at St. Louis University Dep. of Biology Cristy's research website I am interested in understanding how feedbacks between plants, microbes, and soils, might promote or perpetuate shifts in diversity and ecosystem states. As a postdoc in the Chung lab, I will use theory and models to think about the role of these feedbacks in ecosystem transitions from grassland to shrubland in the Southwest US. Nicolas Louw PBIO MSc 2021 Nic is now a PhD student in the Wolfe lab at Tufts University My research interest is to study how and why relationships in nature persists between organisms from different kingdoms to ones from the same species, and how these relationships can influence whole ecosystems. During my time in the Chung lab, I hope to gain a deeper understanding on ecological patterns occurring with plant-microbe interactions and how these patterns influence plant communities. Zianya Solis Genetics BS 2022 Zianya is a Clinical Research Coordinator at Emory I am a genetics major with a minor in human development and family science. I am interested in observing different organisms and how they are affected by disturbances to their naturally occurring state. I will be observing the effects microbes have on plant roots and developing my lab skills, as well as assisting in sample prep and day-to-day lab activities. Adam Mauzy REEU student 2021, Biology BS 2023 Adam is attending Dental Colleg of Georgia I am a REEU intern in the Chung Lab. I will be studying and working to understand the interactions between plants and mycorrhizal fungi. I am looking forward to learning new skills, improving my current lab skills, and learning about something incredibly interesting and right beneath our feet. Ashlynn Little REEU student 2022, NM State graduate 2023 Ashlynn is working for the US Forest Service I am a fourth year undergraduate student from New Mexico State University majoring in Conservation Ecology. I am interested in plant ecological interactions as well as plant responses to climate change. During my time in Dr. Chung's lab and at UGA, I hope to gain important laboratory skills vital for a career in academia and build relationships, learning from those around me in hopes of gaining knowledge I can take into my future career. Lemor Carlton Microbiology BS 2023 Lemor is now a PhD student in the at Long lab at NC State I am a fourth-year undergraduate microbiology major with a pharmaceutical science minor. I am interested in the metabolic pathways of medicinal plants and how microbe-plant interactions can be used to expedite these pathways. In my time in Dr. Chung's lab, I hope to learn more about the different methods that can be used to analyze plant-microbe interactions so that I can one day apply them to my own research. Kelly Vu Psychology BS 2023 Kelly is a medical assistant at Emory and pursuing further education in medicine I am a third year Psychology major with a minor in Communication Studies. I am interested in learning more about plant-microbe interactions and its effects on plants living in a competitive environment. I am also interested in how these relationships can influence a plant's resilience to change due to climate change. During my time here, I am hoping to gain a better understanding of these interactions while also developing my lab skills! Shafat Zaman Biology BS 2023 Shafat is pursuing his career goals in medicine and research I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Biology. I am interested in learning about interactions between plants and microorganisms and how they can impact the diversity of environments. During my time in the Chung lab, I hope to expand my knowledge on the various methods that allow for such interactions to answer questions about species rarity in plant populations and how plants coexist amongst other species. Nayna Jooma CURO Fall 2021, Biology BS 2023 Nayna is attending Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry I am interested in learning how plant-microbe interactions affect the growth and survival of plants as well as how this relationship impacts the plant’s surrounding ecosystem. During my time in Dr. Chung’s lab, I hope to gain a better understanding of microbial communities associated with plants and to obtain valuable laboratory skills. Danielle Watson Fungal genetics REU student 2023 I am a REU participant attending the illustrious Clark Atlanta University studying Biology in the hopes of becoming a Physician Assistant catering to minority women in minority communities. This summer I will be working in Anny Chungs lab working alongside other researchers to gain more knowledge about plant diseases through our Dragnet Project. I am super excited to see firsthand how the disturbance of the land will change the trajectory of how the plant communities interacts with the environment. And one fun fact about myself is that I’m Jamaican, but was born and raised in the Bronx, New York and moved throughout the city for majority of my life. Kyle miller Crop genetics and genomics REEU 2023 I joined the Chung Lab for the summer through the Crop Genomics REEU at UGA, and I am excited to be here! I am a rising senior at Gettysburg College majoring in Biology with a focus in Genetics. I have a large interest in how endophytic fungal communities impact the more visible organisms in our day to day lives and exploring the biological/agricultural applications of understudied species, especially in the face of climate change induced stressors. In my free time, I like to garden and grow edible/medicinal mushrooms. Katherine Kane Biology BS and Spanish 2024 Katherine is pusuing her career goals in medicine I am a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Spanish. I am interested in studying plant relationships, adaptations, and resistances in the context of different and changing climates and geographies. In Dr. Chung's lab, I hope to gain skills and experience in research while learning more about plant relationships and responses in different environments. Neha vennapusa Genetics BS 2024 Neha is a research technician in the Ellison Lab at UGA I am A fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Genetics with a minor in Japanese and a certificate in Bioinformatics. I am interested in studying the effects of DSE fungi on plant growth, specifically whether or not endophytic fungi can be used to confer heat and drought tolerance to cereal crops. Under the mentorship of Dr. Chung, I aim to further improve my research skills as well as my understanding of plant-fungi relationships. Tia Whiteside Biology BS 2024 Tia is pursing her career goals in medicine I am a fourth-year undergraduate Biology major and Public Health minor at UGA. I am interested in learning about plant-microbe interactions in different environmental conditions, specifically looking at DSE fungi. I am excited to learn new things, strengthen my research skills, and contribute to the Chung lab in the best way that I can!
