Mission
We support the professional development of scientist/educators who mentor undergraduates in research and whose research and teaching directly or indirectly involves plants and related organisms (e.g., algae, soil science, or plant/microbe relationships)
Current HLPINS
Meet the ORGANIZERS
Dr. Derek Gingerich
Professor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Dr. Gingerich leads the Upper Midwest HLPIN. He uses molecular genetics to study selective protein degradation and plant light responses and comparative genomics analyses to study the evolution of gene families that encode ubiquitylation pathway components. He is a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists.
Dr. Wendy Clement
Professor, The College of New Jersey
Dr. Clement co-leads the Mid-Atlantic HLPIN. She investigates the evolution of organ fusion from a macroevolutionary perspective using genomic and morphological data. Dr. Clement is a member of the Botanical Society of America and the American Society of Plant Taxonomists.
Dr Kerry Rouhier
Associate Professor, Kenyon College
Dr. Rouhier co-leads the Eastern Great Lakes HLPIN. She studies the enzymes and intermediates involved in the degradation of branched-chain amino acids in Arabidopsis and the synthesis of acyl sugars in Solanaceae. She is a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists, the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the Phytochemical Society of America.
Dr. Melanie Bayles
Academic Program Coordinator and Data Analyst – Wheat Improvement Team, Oklahoma State University
Dr. Bayles works behind the scenes to make sure that students and professors have classes to attend and teach. She is trained as a plant breeder and works with the Wheat Improvement Team to develop and release new varieties of wheat for Oklahoma and adjacent states. Dr. Bayles is a member of the Crop Science Society of America, the American Society of Agronomy, and the National Plant Breeders Association.
Dr. Liza Conrad
Associate Professor, Eckerd College
Dr. Conrad studies epigenetic regulation of flower development in rice and maize. She is a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists and the Maize Genetics Cooperation.
Dr. Galyna Kyfryk
Professor, Grand Canyon University
Dr. Kufryk leads the Southwest HLPIN. Her research is focused on the genetic engineering of cyanobacteria and biofuels production. She is a member of the American Society for Microbiology and the International Society of Photosynthesis Research.
Dr. Leeann Thornton
Professor, The College of New Jersey
Dr. Thorton co-leads the Mid-Atlantic HLPIN. She uses genetics and biochemistry to study the regulation of plant responses to environmental stresses. Her work characterizes enzymes involved in hormone modulation and defensive chemical production as part of the acclimation response in Arabidopsis and Maize. Dr. Thornton is a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists and the Maize Genetics Cooperation.
Dr. Karen Hicks
Professor, Kenyon College
Dr. Hicks co-leads the Eastern Great Lakes HLPIN. Her research focuses on the regulation of reproductive development in land plants in response to seasonal cues. Her research group uses molecular, genetic and genomic approaches to address the mechanism and evolution of seasonal regulation in the moss Physcomitrium patens. Dr. Hicks is a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists and the International Molecular Moss Science Society.
Dr. Gregory Pec
Faculty, Pikes Peak State College
Dr. Pec is a plant ecologist focusing on plant-soil interactions. His research examines such areas as biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, plant-microbe symbioses, soil health and plant productivity, environmental stress and adaptation, as well as the role of land use and management practices on soil carbon sequestration. He is a member of the Botanical Society of America, the Ecological Society of America, the Society for Ecological Restoration, and the Soil Science Society of America.
Funding & Partners
HLPIN is funded by:
In collaboration with:
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire (lead institution for the grant)
Grand Canyon University
The College of New Jersey
Kenyon College