Graduate Research Assistant / January — Present

• Prepared research articles for publication • Designed experiments and analyzed data. • Diagnosed plant diseases including those caused by viruses, nematodes, fungi, and bacteria. • Characterized fungal and bacterial pathogens using biochemical and molecular methods. • Analyzed gene fragments and whole genomes of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata using Geneious, R, and Python software and platforms such as Integrated Microbial Genomes and Microbes of the Joint Genomic Institute (US Department of Energy), and High-Performance Computing Cluster to handle large data sets. • Monitored colonization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata tagged with a green fluorescent protein by employing confocal microscopy and analyzed images in FIJI. • Ensured proper procurement of microbial specimens and stored them under the right environmental conditions using required permits. • Wrote progress reports to stakeholders. • Presented research progress to stakeholders.

Research Technician / August, 2019 — December, 2019

• Worked with soilborne pathogens Aphanomyces euteiches and Fusarium species affecting field pea crops. • Evaluated the impacts of seed treatments on commercial rhizobial inoculants and the relative nodulation of chickpea using different rhizobial isolates native to western North Dakota.

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant / August, 2017 — August, 2019

• Taught undergraduate students laboratory techniques in General Biology (153) and Microbiology (231) through active learning. • Set up greenhouse and field experiments. • Applied pesticides to crops in the greenhouse and in the field. • Prepared medium for bacterial isolates. • Characterized bacteria from wheat seeds using biochemical and molecular methods. • Prepared research articles for publication. • Presented research findings during the American Phytopathological Society, field days, and during meetings organized by the Plant Science Department. • Set up experimental field plots. • Identified small grain diseases and rated their incidence and severity. • Set up irrigation systems, and established alleys to set plot boundaries. Isolated fungal and bacterial pathogens, and prepared fungal, bacterial, and viral inoculum for field applications.

Passion Fruit Grower / August, 2016 — July, 2017

• Ran my own passion fruit orchard. Procured passion fruit varieties, sowed seeds, cared for seedlings, applied fertilizer, and managed diseases and weeds.

Horticultural Technician / April, 2016 — July, 2016

• Monitored and controlled pests, diseases, and disorders through identification, procuring relevant pesticides, and applying pesticides. • Managed seed sowing operations and other standard soft fruit production practices. • Monitored and recorded environmental conditions for protected crops, mainly raspberries and strawberries. Managed fruit crops to deliver to customers in good condition. • Ensured hygiene and biosecurity measures were implemented in the workplace.