JUSTYN CARRASCO

Listed below are relevant experiences for laboratory and plant production settings. A wide range of research experiences focusing on conservation and genetics. With some time spent working in organic crop production. Most recently gaining familiarity working in a quality assurance and state compliance lab for the last 4 years.

• Fall 2017- May 2021: Lab Member, D.L. Byers Lab, School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL Research, Recent Projects: Testing the hermaphrodite to female frequencies of gynodioecious prairie plant species according to soil nutrient composition. Preliminary studies have shown that prairie species Lobelia spicata displays different frequencies according to habitat type. Tall grass prairies having more organic matter and nitrogen tends to have more females to hermaphrodites. Sand prairies overall have less organic matter while displaying lower nitrogen and higher phosphorus, these populations tend to show more hermaphroditic plants. These soil types have different microbial communities that may or may not influence plant sex expression., Past Projects: “Using Flowering Phenology to Better Understand the Flowing Times in Three Species of Prairie Plants: Lobelia spicata, Echinacea pallida & Echinacea angustifolia” Weekly meetings are assigned to each lab member(student), assessing progress in their research. A sampling plan for herbarium specimens will be used for data collection, analyzing the difference in phenophases vs. climate given at a given time.
• 2017 Summer: Research Experiences for Undergraduates: From Genes to Ecosystems, ChicagoBotanic, Garden Glencoe, IL, Research Project: “Ex situ Management in Quercus oglethorpenis”, Conducted independent research in plant conservation genetics. Perform DNA extractions, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and genotyping. Analyzed genetic marker data using population genetic software and prepared results for poster presentation. Applying data to make outcrosses that would otherwise preform better in-situ than their inbred counterparts.
• 2016 Summer: Intern, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ, Research Project: “Development of genetic resources for the study of acuña cactus (Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acuensis) and its close relatives.”, Utilized GIS to track the sampling of wild populations. Performed DNA extractions and was introduced to neutral genetic markers for conservation genetics to compare genetic relationships between captive and wild populations as well as comparing populations from different environments(elevation, latitude, longitude).
• 2015 SummerCollege First High School Intern, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL, Research Project: “Genetic Diversity in Marasmiellus genus” Constructed phylogenetic trees of fungi group using “Figtree”. DNA sequences were utilized to understand the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the fungi genus Marasmiellus.

• 2019-Current: Cultivation consultant- Aiding growers on how to grow in coco coir, living soil, and hydroponic mediums. propagating plants via callus induction, understanding plant nutrition.
• 2018 Spring: Volunteer, Fell Arboretum, Normal, Illinois Project: “Illinois State University Fell Arboretum germplasm development”