Interactive Effects of Genetics and Environment on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Seedling Performance in drought resistance.
Interactive Effects of Genetics and Environment on Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Seedling Performance in drought resistance.
Graduate Student Name:
Esther Andrade Meirelles
Email Address:
Faculty mentor/Supervisor:
Prof. Dr. Carlos Gonzales-Benecke
Email Address (Faculty mentor/Supervisor):
Department Affiliation:
Forest Engineering Resources & Management
Job Location:
OSU Campus Corvallis
Description of project or research opportunity:
My research focuses on drought resistance in different genotypes of Douglas fir, aiming to determine whether genetic control influences drought response. The study assesses stomatal conductance, vulnerability to cavitation, and leaf area, providing insights into which genotypes are more drought-resistant and which are more productive. Our goals is to assess stomatal conductance and its response to varying drought conditions, evaluate vulnerability to cavitation to determine hydraulic failure risks, and measure leaf area as an indicator of productivity in order to identify genotypes with greater drought resistance and higher productivity.
Tasks student will perform:
The undergraduate student will assist in various aspects of the research, contributing to both green house work and laboratory activities:
Help prepare and transport seedlings for measurements in controlled environments.
Support in leaf collection and preparation for leaf area measurements.
Assist with the setup and maintenance of plants in the green house.
Laboratory Tasks:
Help with the generation of vulnerability to cavitation curves, including sample preparation and data recording.
Conduct leaf area scans and process samples for productivity analysis.
Assist with basic data entry and organization of physiological measurements.
Data and Organization:
Organize datasets and maintain clear records of plant measurements.
Collaborate with the research team to track the progress of individual genotypes.
Assist in preliminary statistical analysis or figure preparation, depending on interest and experience.
Special skills required:
No special skills are required. The ideal student will:
Be curious and interested in learning about plant physiology and forest ecology.
Be proactive, organized, and reliable in completing tasks.
Be comfortable working both outdoors (the greenhouse and field) and indoors (in the lab with computer).
Be willing to follow protocols and ask questions when in doubt.
Proposed dates of employment (must be between June 19 and September 4):
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 to Thursday, September 4, 2025
Anticipated hours worked per week:
10