Preyanka Mehta

Facilitating research on Thlaspi arvense (Ta.)- Pennycress (wild name) or Covercress (crop variety name) to optimize root systems for carbon absorption.

• Conducted cloning experiments on target genes using CRISPR-cas9 and further investigated the effects on root system architecture.
• Interpreted research findings and summarized data into reports.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects, interns, and coordinating meetings.
• Set up equipment, organized inventory and maintained facilities.

• Leading pilot experiments to test microbe doses on various crops grown at Coastal Roots in accordance with their farming practices for practical applications in the future.
• Creating protocols for field operations.
• Overseeing plant care, collect data, sow seeds and assist with transplanting.
• Performed preliminary analysis of targeted data research, collection and report preparation.

My research team aims to understand how plant root system signaling pathways acclimate to abiotic stressors by implementing strategies in molecular biology, biochemistry, and ecology.

• Research and experimentation on how hormones (brassinosteriods) and nutrients affect root growth.
• Conducted a large-scale phenotyping experiments: Achieved the fasted Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) in the department using 260 Arabidopsis thaliana variety which uncovered genes related to hormonal growth responses.
• Conduct biochemical analysis of protein and nutrient levels.
• Cloning of new lines.
• Isolation of new mutant lines and characterization from GWAS and root system architecture projects.
• Development of a pipeline to quantify root growth rate with high-resolution.
• Performed independent analytic analysis of results and image quantification.
• Work independently and collaborate with team members.
• Support in supervising and training interns.
• Dissemination of scientific publications in Journal Club.

My research team aimed to analyze the phenological cycles of different grass species in the Boulder Open Space area under various environmental treatments to help local ranchers understand how climate change will affect nutrient levels in grass-fed cows.

• Ability to work independently to compile, clean, and analyze phenology datasets to determine greenness over time.
• Conducted field research to identify and characterize local grass species through phenotyping.
• Aided in building plots for drought, rainfall, and grazing (livestock) treatments and captured images of different treatment sites every day for 6 months.
• Utilized RStudio and Microsoft Office to design a script to regularly store data, model results, and generate reports.
• Communicated with team members to ensure project proficiency and to share findings.

• Cultivated warm relationships with regular customers.
• Worked with POS system to place orders, manage bills, and handle complimentary items.
• Served food and beverages promptly with focused attention to customer needs.