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Mentor Areas

Our lab studies the ecology and evolution of plant-microbe symbioses. We're especially interested in how symbiotic microbes influence their host's resistance to parasites and herbivores. We study these questions in Medicago plants (alfalfa and its relatives), focusing on the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia bacteria that live on their roots.

Description:

Projects will vary. Interested students should contact us to discuss possibilities. Typical lab work involves plant care; assisting in planting and harvesting experiments; and weighing and imaging harvested plants. Most projects involve greenhouse or growth chamber experiments that manipulate plant-microbe interactions to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses.

Preferred Qualifications

Our lab welcomes students from all backgrounds, including students with little prior research experience. We are looking for students with 

  • Interest in plants, microbes, or ecology and evolution
  • Ability to complete work carefully and on time, and follow through on commitments
  • Prior lab experience (in a class is fine!)
  • Experience working with plants or microbes; collecting or analyzing data; or working in a lab is preferred but not required

Project Website

Learn more about the researcher and/or the project here.
The Wood Lab

Details:

Preferred Student Year

First-year, Second-Year, Junior, Senior

Academic Term

Spring, Summer, Fall

I prefer to have students start during the above term(s).

Volunteer

No

Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.

Paid

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.

Work Study

Yes

Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.

Researcher


Assistant Professor of Biology