2024 Plant Direct Author Features (Third Edition)
Read all about why these Plant Direct First Authors chose to pursue plant sciences and see their manuscripts here.
Lauren Cole-Osborn
Lauren Cole-Osborn (she/her) is the first author of Critical parameters for robust Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation and quantitative promoter assays in Catharanthus roseus seedlings published 05 June 2024. She is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Northeastern University. Education background includes 2022 PhD Bioengineering, Northeastern University; 2015 BS Biochemistry, Tufts University. Research interests include Genetic and metabolic engineering, regulatory pathways, specialized metabolism. Personal interests include Hiking, reading, crafts.
“I love learning about the hidden microscopic worlds inside biological organisms.”
Daniel Frieboese
Daniel Frieboese (he/him) is the first author of Identification and characterization of the COPII vesicle-forming GTPase Sar1 in Chlamydomonas published 16 June 2024. He is a Lab assistant at biotechrabbit GmbH. Education background includes: 2023 MSc industrial biotechnology at TU Berlin; 2021 BSc biotechnology also at TU Berlin. Research interests are Cell biology, protein trafficking. Personal interests include Photography.
“I find the process of life fascinating because it is so elegant yet incredibly complex. This fascination began at a very young age in my parents’ backyard. The more I learn and understand about organisms, the more I am captivated. I am very grateful to my former colleagues in AG Bock for inspiring me and feeding my curiosity in plant science. The potential of plant research for a better future is almost limitless, and I am glad to have met some of the people who are at the forefront of it. And I see it as a fact that in general humanity should rely more on biological processes for a sustainable future. The basic research we all do lays the groundwork for it.”
Nilanjan Roy
Nilanjan Roy is the first author of Genome Wide Association Studies on 7 Yield-related Traits of 183 Rice Varieties in Bangladesh published 17 June 2024. Roy is a Ph.D Candidate at The University of Kansas. Education background includes: 2021-Present Ph.D Molecular Biosciences at The University of Kansas, 2020 BSc Biomedical Engineering at The Military Institute of Science and Technology. Research interests are Genomics, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.Personal interests include Travelling.
As a computational biologist and bioinformatician, Nilanjan became intrigued by plant science during his work on the Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS), focusing on rice varieties in Bangladesh. This is the first known GWAS study on various yield-related traits in the varieties of Rice available in Bangladesh – the fourth largest rice producing country.
Sneha Nath
Sneha Nath (she/her) is the first author of DNA Barcoding of Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species in Southwest Michigan published July 2024. She is a Pre-PA (physician assistant) student at Western Michigan University and a Medical Scribe at KAPC. Education background includes a BSc in Biomedical Sciences at Western Michigan University, USA.Research interests include Terrestrial invasive plant species identification, Plant morphology, DNA barcoding, Genomics, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Molecular biology.Personal interests include singing, learning to play guitar, swimming, spending time with family, and watching thriller/suspense/comedy type movies/shows.
“From a young age, I have been passionate about science, primarily biology. During my undergraduate studies, I have explored topics ranging from atoms and molecules to cells and beyond, and working in Dr. Lu’s lab has further fueled my curiosity. In the near future, I am looking forward to pursuing a Master’s in Science in Medicine (Physician Assistant) degree at WMU to deepen my understanding of the science of life. I am eager to explore microorganisms and their impacts (both beneficial and harmful) and to delve into the complexities of the human body as a whole.”
Chunli Wang
Chunli Wang (she/her) is the first author of Albino lethal 13, a chloroplast imported protein required for chloroplast development in rice published June 20 2024. Wang is a Doctor student at Rice Research Institute, Yunnan Agricultural University. Education background includes: 2020 Ph.D , Crop genetics and breeding ，Yunnan Agricultural University； 2012 MSc phytopathology, Yunnan Agricultural University； 2005 BSc agronomy Honghe University. Research interests are Rice subspecies crosses, Drought stress, Gene function.
Personal interests include Running and playing table tennis.
“In my research, my supervisor often encourages me, especially when the experiment is not going well. At the same time works with me to find a solution.”
Guo Xiaoqiong
Guo Xiaoqiong(she/her) is the first author of Albino lethal 13, a chloroplast imported protein required for chloroplast development in rice published June 20 2024. She is a Lecturer at Qujing Normal University Beijing. Education background includes: 2016 Ph.D Crop gentics and breeding, Yunnan Agricultural University; 2013 MSc Biochemistry and molecular biology, Yunnan Agricultural University ; 2006 BSc Agronomy, Hunan Agricultural University.Research interests are Rice breeding, Gene function.
Seiji Takeda
Seiji Takeda (he/his) is the first author of Exploring the diversity of galls on Artemisia indica induced by Rhopalomyia species through morphological and transcriptome analyses published 02 July 2024. He is an Associate Professor at Kyoto Prefectural University. Education background includes: 2004 Ph.D Plant Biology at Kyoto University; 2001 MSc at Kyoto University; 1999 BSc at Kyoto University. Research interests are Plant development, Plant-insect interaction.Personal interests include Cycling, Classic guitar, Piano.
“First impact was the double flower mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana – agamous – that I learned in the lecture at the university. Dynamic change of the phenotype can be caused by only one nucleotide change! Then I studied the plant organ development. Recently I am interested in the development of plant galls generated on plants by insects.”
Manuel Bellucci
Manuel Bellucci (he/him) is the first author of The effect of constitutive root isoprene emission on root phenotype and physiology under control and salt stress conditions published 06 July 2024.
He is currently going to join Purdue University as Postdoc research assistant .
Education background includes: PhD in Plant Science [Campus Bio medico University], [Rome, Italy], [2024]; Master’s degree in food science and human nutrition, [Campus bio-medico University of Rome, Italy], [2019] • Bachelor’s degree in food science and human nutrition, [Campus bio-medico University of Rome, Italy], [2017]. Research interests include Isoprene emission, abiotic stress, root development, plant metabolism, terpenoids, isoprenoids. Personal interests include running.
“I became interested in plant science by studying their complexity, their crucial role in ecosystems, and their potential to address global challenges like food security and climate change. I love plant science because it reveals the intricate mechanisms of plant life, showcases their vital importance to our ecosystems, and holds the potential to solve critical issues. My research is inspired and mentored by dedicated scientists who are pioneers in plant biology, as well as by my colleagues and professors who continuously share their knowledge and passion for the field.”
Paula Beronilla
Paula Beronilla (she/her) is the first author of Investigating a role for PUB17 and PUB16 in the self-incompatibility signalling pathway in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana published July 23 2024. She is currently a PhD at the University of Toronto.Education background includes: 2024 Ph.D Cell and Systems Biology at the University of Toronto, 2018 BSc Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Toronto. Research interests are Plant reproduction, Pollen-pistil interactions.Personal interests include Coffee, Cooking, Traveling.
“I took an undergraduate research project that allowed me to utilize genetic engineering tools to study gene function and this experience ignited my curiosity!”
