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Sydney D

- Research Program Mentor

PhD at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)

Expertise

plant based renewable resources, plant biology, environmental biology, biofuels/bioplastics, agriculture

Bio

I currently use advanced super-resolution microscopes to study how plants make cellulose for their cell walls. My overarching goal is to better understand how we can use plants to create more efficient biofuels and better bioplastics for a more sustainable future. In my free time I like to play cello, guitar, and ukulele, and I often attend partner dancing events. I love animals and currently care for a group of mischievous but sweet pet rats!

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Write a song about a scientific process

Writing a catchy song can help others remember key parts of a scientific process. Things like photosynthesis, natural selection, or mitosis are examples of processes you could turn into songs.

Write a blog post

Blog posts can be more creative ways to integrate science into the public sphere. You can fit new scientific information into a context that matters more to the public and is more fun to read

Languages I know

French- conversational

Teaching experience

I have taught several college level courses as well as single classes and lessons from Kindergarten level through graduate level courses. I have also mentored several undergraduates in a laboratory setting on different projects.

Credentials

Education

University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
BS Bachelor of Science (2017)
Genetics and Plant Biology
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Plant Biology

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