I applied for the IPREFER internship… because I wanted to gain field and lab experience while conducting research. In the future, I would like to pursue a career in soil conversation or reclamation, and I want to learn different aspects of agronomy, including research, outreach, and economic development.

The most important thing I learned … during my internship is how important interdisciplinary collaboration is. Collaborating with multiple disciplines helps reach a wider audience and allows a broader view of potential problems from different fields.

IPREFER Mentor: Win Phippen, Western Illinois University

I applied for the IPREFER internship… because it seemed like a great way to not only gain experience in industry but also learn about what it takes to provide for people in a sustainable way.

The most important thing I learned during my internship …was how interconnected different fields could be. Even though my project was in molecular biology, I learned so much about the field of agronomy, which I had had no experience with prior. Going to the conference and talking with other scientists (including the other interns) opened my eyes to how diverse the field of biology is and the interesting ways it intersects with other fields.

Mentor: Krishnan Rai, IPREFER Collaborator, CoverCress, Inc.

I applied for the IPREFER internship… I wanted to learn more about sustainable agriculture, explore science-related careers, and gain experience analyzing and interpreting data.

Mentor: Samantha Wells, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Influence of Corn Residue on Pennycress in the Upper Midwestern Corn Belt

Ariana Gonch. Born and raised in upstate New York, I am an undergraduate in the neighboring state of Vermont at Castleton University, where I am pursuing a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Wildlife and Forest Conservation. Upon graduation, I intend to employ my passion and dedication to using various science applications to preserve our natural environment.

I applied for the IPREFER internship because …… I strongly value the opportunity to learn how to conduct proper research, fundamentally broaden my education, and, more importantly, make an advancement in combating any environmental challenges that we currently face. The knowledge and experience that I will gain from collaboration with my peers and mentors during this internship will further my personal mission to help make a positive impact on the environment in whatever career I pursue.

The most important thing I  learned during my internship … is how to effectively and efficiently collaborate with others to achieve a common goal and successfully contribute to a larger mission for the benefit of all involved.

Mentor: Samantha Wells, IPREFER CoProject Director, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

I applied for the IPREFER internship… I want to participate in agriculture research that benefits both rural communities and the environment. This summer, I hope to grow as a researcher by working both in the field and in the lab and eventually preparing a presentation on my research.

Mentor: Lucas Roberts, IPREFER, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Promoting Pennycress Germination with Hormone Treatments

Ann Kennedy is an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry and economics at Hamilton College in upstate New York. She is originally from Chicago, Illinois. She is interested in sustainable energy systems, environmental economics, inorganic chemistry, and the history of science. After graduation, she would like to enter the field of science communication.

I applied for the IPREFER internship… because I was intrigued by the complexity of agricultural systems. I liked considering the economic implications of pennycress as a cover seed along with the chemical processes to extend its germination period.

The most important thing I learned during my internship was how a team of people from different backgrounds and institutions work together. I saw how my individual research fit into the larger goal to commercialize pennycress. I then see how everyone uncovers new information about pennycress to bring this crop one step closer to actually being planted in fields.

Mentor: Alex Lindsey, IPREFER Co-Project Director, The Ohio State University

Characterization of an F2 Population Derived from 2032 x MN106

Nicholas (Nick) Lee is a freshman undergraduate from Rancho Cucamonga, CA – about an hour east of LA. Nick attends Brown University, where he studies Biomedical Engineering and Education. Thus, he is thrilled to be interning with CoverCress in developing pennycress and sustainable biofuel! Post-graduation, Nick aspires to work as a professor or in the biotechnology industry and conduct research in genetic engineering, especially in improving agricultural yield and photosynthesis.  

Outside of STEM, he is passionate about educational equity and spoken word poetry. In his free time, Nick enjoys water sports, planning get-togethers, and trying new fried chicken spots (although Popeyes will always have his heart).

I applied for the IPREFER internship… because I…am passionate about sustainable agriculture and bioengineering. I have worked on small-scale, sustainable farms for the last five years, and I look forward to working in bioengineering and plant/genetic development. I am also excited to intern with a start-up and experience the bustling biotech industry in St. Louis and beyond!

The most important thing I learned during my internship… is the interdisciplinary nature of start-ups and plant research. During my internship, I was not limited to just laboratory work or fieldwork – rather, I was involved in the collection, analysis, and development processes of CoverCress™, and I was invited to explore start-up culture on all levels.  Furthermore, laboratory research is inherently collaborative; the work is never “really done”, and proactively assisting other team members enabled me to work within many steps of the research pipeline.  By the end of the internship, I tried every machine within the lab!

Caleb Mahr I was born and raised on a family farm in Hanna City, Illinois. Being surrounded by agriculture my entire life persuaded me to want to become a larger part of the agricultural industry, such as Precision Agronomy; I worked in that field for a while during my attendance at Illinois Central College.

I applied for the IPREFER internship… because after my time at Illinois Central College, I decided to attend Western Illinois University and became very intrigued by Dr. Phippen’s genetics and plant breeding classes, which drew me to apply for the IPREFER internship program. After graduation, my goal is to become an Agricultural Project Engineer for Nestle in Morton, IL, or continue working with farmers in the field of Precision Agronomy.

The most important thing I learned during my time in the internship was how important it is to double check the work being done constantly, being precise, and communicating with everyone around me to minimize errors in the research study and staying organized in the lab to keep from misplacing important parts of a study.  Overall, communication, organization and teamwork were very important.

Mentor: Win Phippen, IPREFER PD, Western Illinois University

Influence of Corn Residue on Pennycress in the Upper Midwestern Corn Belt

Jayleen Perez I am pursuing my Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida. I have continuously strived to make a positive impact within my community, primarily through volunteering. As an international honor society president, I initiated a hydroponic garden college campus. The project’s mission is to offer support for students facing food insecurities and increase awareness of nutrition and sustainability. I enjoy caring for my houseplants and scuba diving in my free time. After graduation, I would like to attend medical school and find ways to increase access to health care in underserved communities. I am passionate about educating others and helping them live a happier and healthier life.

I applied for the IPREFER internship… because it was a perfect combination of my passions and interests. This includes genetics, environmental conservation, and sustainable agriculture. It was apparent that the research team was highly qualified, and I was eager to learn more from them through the program.

Mentor: Samantha Wells, IPREFER Co-Pd, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Investigating the Inheritance of Four Domestication Traits
in Five Elite Pennycress Breeding Lines

Nadia Phillips: Next fall, I will be a junior at the University of Minnesota. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science with a minor in Horticulture and a minor in Urban and Community Forestry. Alongside pursuing my degree, I work part-time at the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease lab in Dr. Matthew Rouse’s Lab, specializing in wheat stem rust. After graduation, I would love to work in a lab specializing in creating new disease-resistant horticultural crops or trees or a position where I monitor and treat plant diseases, for example, working for a city as an Urban Forester or working for USDA-APHIS. I am also extremely interested in working to expand sustainable cropping systems involving perennial crops like the Forever Green Initiative does. I would like to specifically work with researching and implementing woody perennial crops for Northern Minnesota.

I applied for the IPREFER internship… I applied for the IPREFER internship program to expand my knowledge of the process of molecular markers and how they are used in plant breeding. I am also very interested in the uses of pennycress and learning much more about this crop!

The most important thing I learned during my internship… was how connected the different crop departments are at the University of Minnesota. I met and worked with Kernza, Camelina, Wheat undergraduates, researchers, plant breeders, and those on the Pennycress team. I made so many connections through this internship that have helped me understand my own career goals but that have also simply become great friendships. Through this internship, I have also gained so many new skills and knowledge in plant breeding that will help me tremendously in my future positions in plant science.

IPREFER Mentor: Julia Zhang, IPREFER Co-Pd, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Riley Retzer: My name is Riley Retzer, and I currently go to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I am currently enrolled in their undergraduate biochemistry program. After graduation, I plan to enroll in graduate school to gain a higher education. With this, I plan to study major issues in the medical field, like oncology or prosthetics, in a more lab-based setting.

I applied for the IPREFER internship… I applied for the IPREFER internship to gain real laboratory experience under a professional company. Outside the alchemic lab, the atmospheres for a laboratory occupation are much more different and individualistic. I want to gain more work experience in my respective field to build an array of skills to perform my scientific work in the future better.

The most important thing I learned from the internship… was how professional labs are run and what instruments are used.

IPREFER Mentor: Micheal Stutelburg, IPREFER Collaborator, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

Effects of Added Nitrogen on Golden Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.)

Audrianna Torrey was born and raised in Northern Pennsylvania. Currently, she is working on completing a BS in both Environmental Science and Ecology & Evolution at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. She will work with Dr. Win Phippen’s team at Western Illinois University.

I applied for the IPREFER internship because… I grew up in an agriculture-based community on a farm, and I wanted to work on something impactful that I already had a love for.

The most important thing I learned during my internship …is how ever-changing fields of study are, even ones that have long since been established. There is always something new to be discovered, a new question to answer, a new technique to be developed. I enjoyed being able to see this process in real time and get a better understanding of how fast a field of study can change.

Mentor: Win Phippen, IPREFER PD, Western Illinois University