Samantha Altaffer

As the Perennial Demonstration Garden Coordinator, I am involved in general upkeep of the garden, including pruning, deadheading, weeding, mulching, and seasonal garden-wide pruning. I have also participated in a full inventory of the garden and help plan for new additions. Not only are my responsibilities physical, but I also identify disease and pest problems, irrigation, and interact with the public as-needed.

As part of Dr. Pankaj Trivedi's plant and soil microbiome laboratory, I was involved in a number of research projects as well as general lab maintenance. I have experience in multiple types of DNA extraction, pipetting, bacteria culturing, and online skills such as Microsoft Excel. I was also responsible for restocking materials, autoclaving, and data collection. One notable study I was directly involved in was a Global Microbiome Project, which involved over 10 different countries and focused on data taken from corn, cotton, beetroot, and rice.

Over the course of a summer I worked with a state park in my hometown, where I managed multiple kiosks. I was responsible for working directly with guests in the park, processing fees, and offering information on native plants, animals, and nearby trails. I gained experience in understanding the nearby environment, including but not limited to fire and rapid water safety. Within that, I was also responsible for contacting law authority and fire rescue during emergency situations.