Alison R. Willette
Faculty Research Assistant
Corvallis,OR
Summary
Diligent research assistant with proven track record in supporting research projects and academic initiatives. Adept in coordinating and executing experiments, contributing to published research, and providing comprehensive data analysis. Demonstrated ability in utilizing statistical software and maintaining laboratory equipment.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Pesticide Applicator License
1
1
Advanced degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics
5
5
Years experience as a research assistant
Work History
Faculty Research Assistant / Laboratory Manager
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR
05.2022 - Current
- Responsible for managing field and lab research activities supporting entomology research and outreach education.
- Achieved effective management of undergraduate students in maintaining insect colonies through systematic task checklists on daily, weekly, and bi-weekly intervals. Enhanced greenhouse operations for fresh living plant materials, contributing to overall productivity. Improved research outcomes through successful facilitation of field sample analysis and bioassay procedures.
- Advise graduate students in the organization of their research projects.
- Scholarly and outreach education activities, including writing research reports, extension publications, teaching growers at field days and seed producers’ meetings.
Senior Field Scout
Stahlbush Farms
Corvallis, OR
08.2021 - 04.2022
- Created an algorithm for accurate yield calculation of multiple winter squash varieties.
- Improved data collection in corn fields by the implementation of infield moisture meter use with programmed tracking for projection of moisture based on temperatures and humidity.
- Analyzed and reported on the quality and harvestability of blueberry, beet, sweet corn, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, and diverse winter squash varieties to support effective farming practices.
- Enhanced seed inventory processes through implementation of a systematic program to streamline stock seed organization and track grower seed levels.
- Conducted analysis and organization of 15-year soil reports to support field supervisors and berry production team in identifying improvement areas for effective water runoff management.
- Produced a program for the Food Safety Team to quickly identify chemical constraints within countries our product would be shipped to.
Field and Warehouse Supervisor and Lead Field Technician
KWS Inc.
Tangent, OR
08.2019 - 02.2021
- Achieved targeted seed production with great seed quality by reliably managing seven field locations of over 50 acres for pre-commercial seed production ground.
- Maintained valuable observation plots and implemented purity measures, preventing cross-pollination of outside fields by restricting entry during pollination periods as well as providing decontamination of equipment used in the OB field.
- Managed field disease and weed pressure through data collection and analyzed timing based on temperature, humidity, and degree day analysis.
- Developed several SOPs that improved field quality control, and seed planting organization in the OB plot through streamlined packaging, field mapping, and IPM optimization.
- Pre-Commercial Department
- Pre-commercial Field Supervisor: Brandon Burgess
- Maintained high levels of accuracy in daily operations.
Research Associate
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
08.2017 - 11.2018
- Managed comprehensive testing of soybean and silage corn varieties, supporting seed producers in optimizing crop performance in the southeastern U.S.
- Improved relationships with seed producers to ensure new varieties were entered annually into field trials.
- Facilitated collaboration among staff to streamline field note collection processes at various locations.
- Conducted comprehensive analysis and evaluation of data from eight Tennessee environments, focusing on three distinct field crops to assess maturity, disease resistance, seed and plant quality, purity, and yield using SAS statistical programming.
- Executed timely submission of three publications annually for soybean, corn, and corn silage producers.
- Conducted comprehensive research to evaluate the economic and environmental benefits of implementing multi-use cover crop species in Tennessee's no-till soybean/corn rotation.
- Analyzed and synthesized relevant literature to provide foundational insights for active research projects.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design and implement experiments.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Tennessee, College of Agriculture
Knoxville, TN
01.2016 - 08.2017
- Produced several posters, and two peer-reviewed manuscripts, and assisted in grant writing processes by analyzing and presenting yield and quality data to grant comity.
- Completed thesis for a Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Genetics.
- Facilitated team-building exercises with the soybean team both during seasonal activities as well as after work.
- Ran teams as a substitute for the Research Associate for field production activities, such as planting, harvesting, weeding, and performed crosses for the production of new varieties. Facilitated data collection and maintained seed purity.
Research Assistant
University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Science: Plant Physiology
Knoxville, TN
08.2013 - 12.2013
- Produced valuable data for graduate projects and contracts with private industry by starting, maintaining, and evaluating greenhouse and growth chamber experiments.
- Produced a manuscript on improving carotenoid production in brassica using LED light treatments in a greenhouse setting.
Lab Technician, Lab Manager
Carbon Capture Corporation
11.2010 - 01.2013
- Expanded spirulina production ponds while reducing nutrient costs by introducing digester-produced nitrogen to the facility.
- Constructed research models for nutrient availability and alternative production methods.
- Created new algae harvesting, algae drying, and storage methods.
- Increased research group by gaining funding for summer support staff from UCSD and Scripts College of Oceanography.
- Martin Gordon
Education
Master of Science - Plant Sciences, Plant Breeding and Genetics
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN07.2018
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Science, Horticulture Science and Production
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN12.2015
Associate of Science - Agriculture Science and Physical Science
Imperial Valley College
Imperial, CA12.2012
Skills
- Academic writing
- Data collection
- Qualitative research
- Technical report writing
- Research design
- Quantitative research
- Experimental design
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Critical thinking
Certification
- Private Pesticide Applicator License - 2019 - 2028
Timeline
Faculty Research Assistant / Laboratory Manager
Oregon State University
05.2022 - Current
Senior Field Scout
Stahlbush Farms
08.2021 - 04.2022
Field and Warehouse Supervisor and Lead Field Technician
KWS Inc.
08.2019 - 02.2021
Research Associate
University of Tennessee
08.2017 - 11.2018
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Tennessee, College of Agriculture
01.2016 - 08.2017
Research Assistant
University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Science: Plant Physiology
08.2013 - 12.2013
Lab Technician, Lab Manager
Carbon Capture Corporation
11.2010 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Science, Horticulture Science and Production
University of Tennessee
Master of Science - Plant Sciences, Plant Breeding and Genetics
University of Tennessee
Associate of Science - Agriculture Science and Physical Science
Imperial Valley College
PUBLICATIONS
- Willette, A.R., N.P. Anderson, and S.J. Dorman, N. Kaur. 2024. Comparative efficacy of pyrethroid insecticides against symphylans in tall fescue seed crops. In N.P. Anderson, C.A. MallorySmith, D.L. Walenta, and J.F. Spring (eds.). 2023 Seed Production Research Report. At Oregon State University, USDA-ARS Cooperating, Department of Crop and Soil Science, Ext/CrS 170, 4/24.
- Willette, A.R., N. Kaur, N.P. Anderson, and S.J. Dorman. 2023. Do newer pesticide chemistries provide enough symphylan control in grass seed crops? (year 1). In N.P. Anderson, C.A. MallorySmith, D.L. Walenta, and J.F. Spring (eds.). 2022 Seed Production Research Report. Oregon State University, Ext/CrS 168.
- H. Duncan, J. Eicher, W.M. Bracey, V.R. Sykes C.N. Boyer, A. Willette, G. Bates, X. Yin, D.M. Butler. Breakeven Price for Harvesting Cover Crops for Hay in Tennessee. Agronomy. 2022. Under Review
- A. Willette, B. Fallen, H. Bhandari, C. Sams, F. Chen, V.R. Sykes, C. Smallwood, K. Bilyeu, Z. Li, V. Pantalone. Agronomic performance of high oleic, low linolenic soybean in Tennessee. J Am Oil Chem Soc. 2021;98:861–869.
- V.R. Sykes, A. Willette, R.H. Blair, D. West, D. Kincer, and A.T. McClure. 2017. Corn Grain Hybrid Tests in Tennessee 2017. UT Ext. PB 1864.
- V.R. Sykes, A. Willette, G. Bates, D. McIntosh. 2017. Corn Silage Tests in Tennessee 2017. UT Ext. PB 1859.
- A. Willette, H. Singh Bhandari, F. Chen, C. E. Sams, V.R. Sykes, V.Pantalone, Breeding for improved oil quality in high yielding soybean lines using molecular markers for selecting FAD2-1A, FAD2-1B, FAD3A and FAD3C mutant alleles to produce a high oleic, low linolenic (HOLL) soybean. Master of Science Thesis, Tennessee 2018.
- V.R. Sykes, R. Blair, H. Kelly, A. Willette, V. Pantalone, C. Smallwood, A. Thompson McClure, Soybean Variety Tests in Tennessee 2018. UT Ext. PB 1871
- V.R. Sykes, R. Blair, A. Willette, D. West, D. Kincer, A. Thompson McClure. Corn Variety Tests in Tennessee 2018. UT Ext. PB 1864
- V.R. Sykes, A. Willette, W. Bracey, G. Bates, D. McIntosh, Corn Silage Tests in Tennessee 2018. UT Ext. PB 1859
- A. Willette, G. Bates, D.M. Butler, H. Bhandari, V. Sykes, Economic and Environmental Impact of Multi-use Cover Crop Species in Tennessee No-till Soybean and Corn Rotations, Milan TN No-Till Field Day. Milan, TN, September 2018
- A. Willette, C. Smallwood, V. Pantalone, Molecular Marker Assisted Development of Tennessee High Oleic, Low Linolenic Soybeans, TSBP Grant Presentation, Report 17-86-R, Pigeon Forge, February 2017
- A. Willette, C. Smallwood, M. Cunicelli, L. Richardson-Darr, V. Pantalone, High Oleic, Low Linolenic Soybean Varieties and the Economic Value to Tennessee Growers, Milan Research and Education Center Field Day, July 2016 Milan, TN
- A. Willette, Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener. Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee, April 2016
- A. Willette, C. Smallwood, L. Richardson-Darr, V. Pantalone, Molecular Marker Assisted Development of Tennessee High Oleic, Low Linolenic Soybeans, TSBP Grant Presentation, Report 17-86-R, Pigeon Forge, February 2016
- A. Willette, V.R. Sykes, W. Bracey, D.M. Butler, H. Bhandari, G. Bates, Breeding Common Vetch for Improved Utility as a Cover Crop in the Mid-South. ASA Conference, November 2018, Baltimore, MD
- A. Willette, C. Smallwood, H. Bhandari, F. Chen, C. Sams, V.R. Sykes, V.R. Pantalone., Breeding Soybeans for Improved Oil Quality in High Yielding Lines using Molecular Markers for Selecting FAD2-1A, FAD2-1B, FAD3A and FAD3C Mutant Alleles. Soybean Breeders Workshop, February 2018 Indianapolis, IN
- A. Willette, H. Bhandari, F. Chen, C. Smallwood, V.R. Sykes, and V. R. Pantalone. Breeding for Improved Oil Quality in High Yielding Soybean Lines using Molecular Markers for Selecting FAD3A and FAD3C Mutant Alleles. World Soybean Research Conference (WSRC) 10, September 2017, Savanah, GA
- A. Willette, J. Boehm Jr. F. Walker, H. Bhandari, D. Kopsell, K. Bilyeu, V. R. Pantalone, Multi-Location Field Testing of New Environmentally Friendly, High Yielding, Low Phytate Soybean Lines Developed Via Molecular Breeding. ASA 2014, Long Beach, CA
GRANTS RECEIVED
- A. Willette, C. Smallwood, L. Richardson-Darr, V. Pantalone, Molecular Marker Assisted Development of Tennessee High Oleic, Low Linolenic Soybeans, Tennessee Soy Promotion Board, S34, 573, Project # 16-86-R, TN 2016-2018
- Research Assistant Internship Grant, BioCollaborative Institute, $12,000 August 2012
- Farm Bureau of Imperial Valley, $17,000 August 2010
2025 Faculty Research Assistant/Research Associate Excellence Award
I have presented at nine pest management workshops, three conferences and three extension fields days, disseminating information for farmers and growers. I also have published one too two extension publications per year for the last four years.