Meet some of our plant science major undergraduates:

Eric Hsu: Plant Science leads to public gardens, writing

Larger view of Eric’s self-portrait.

A New Yorker at heart, I first paid heed to Cornell University due to its renown plant science program, which offered a diversity of courses in horticulture, genetics, physiology, and taxonomy, and its proximity to Cornell Plantations where I spent one memorable summer maintaining the gardens.

A few of my favorite courses included Introduction to Botany, Pathology and Entomology of Woody Plants, Public Garden Management, and Plant Physiology, as well as the Art of Horticulture.

Whilst at Cornell, I enjoyed walking through the natural areas, taking advantage of the various ice cream flavors at the Dairy Shop (I miss the ice cream now and then) and browsing through the countless volumes in the libraries. It was at Cornell where I began my writing career, much encouraged by publishing my first article in American Orchid Society's Orchids Magazine. I have never looked back and continue to write, although I am beginning to diversify into food and wine.

Since my graduation in May 2003, I have been working in various public gardens in United Kingdom and United States. Through the Frederick Dreer Award, Cornell's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture awarded me a fantastic opportunity to study horticultural taxonomy for a year at Royal Botanic Garden Kew, Cambridge University Botanic Garden, and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

In the tradition of Cornellians, I spent an informative and busy year as the curatorial intern at Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College, and as a research fellow at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. However, the year-long opportunity from the Dreer Award strengthened my resolve to return to UK again two years later in 2006 when I enrolled as the Royal Horticultural Society Fellow at University of Reading's masters program in taxonomy.

 I am currently a doctoral student studying conifers at University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, partly due to my undergraduate advisor Professor Davies who spent his sabbatical there. My career objectives are leaning heavily towards botanic garden management and possibly a garden consultancy and design firm.

Thalyana Smith-Vikos: From pathogens to pollination

Thalyana in Greece (left)

I am a Biology major in CALS with a concentration in Plant Biology. When applying to college, I was interested in Cornell due to its extensive reputation of notable scientific research, as well as the fact that Cornell is in part a land grant institution that focuses on agricultural studies.

I became interested in studying plant biology through my introductory biology classes and through my work in a plant pathology research lab. I am currently a junior Biology major, and I have taken many courses that are also part of the Plant Sciences major.

I particularly enjoyed BioPL 241: Introductory Botany, taught by Prof. Karl Niklas and BioPL 242/244: Plant Function and Growth, taught by Prof. Peter Davies. After taking these courses, I have an extensive knowledge of the diversity of the plant kingdom and the important molecular processes that occur inside plants. I have also taken PlBr 225: Plant Genetics, PlPa 301: Introductory Plant Pathology, and PlPa309: Introductory Mycology, which are courses more suited to my specific interests in plant-pathogen genetic relationships.

As mentioned, I have worked in a plant pathology lab for the past 3 years, studying the biology and genetics of Phytophthora infestans, an oomycete that causes late blight in potatoes and tomatoes. I have also done pollination research of the yellow poppy Glaucium flavum in Greece, which has medicinal properties but is currently diminishing in population size.

In terms of extracurricular activities, I am a member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity, which is an academic residential fraternity for students in CALS. I am also a member of Ho-Nun-De-Kah, the CALS honors society, as well as president of the Hellenic Student Association. My plan after graduation is to continue on to graduate school and do more plant biology research, with a goal of one day becoming a professor in plant science.

Tammy Wynne: Exploring invasive plants and fungi

I am from Las Vegas, Nevada. I came to Cornell because I loved studying plants in high school-so much so that I hung out in my botany teacher’s classroom for three years. When I researched schools that had great botany programs, Cornell had so many awesome classes and opportunities in the field and that it made me desperately want to come.

I am a junior this year (2007), and searched around for two years trying to figure out what direction to take plant science. I took an Environmental Conservation class that led me to work in an invasive species lab. I also took Magical Mushrooms Mysterious Molds, and Biology and Management of Plant Diseases, and they became my favorite classes at Cornell-I learned I loved fungi too!

I currently research Phragmites, an invasive wetland reed, in the same lab I worked in last year, and I am studying how the invasive grass spreads by means of fungi in the soil. I worked on this research project this summer to get an idea of what it would be like to be a researcher in the plant science field.

The summer before last I worked at the University of California-Riverside for a month in a lab with phytophthera, which is a soilborne fungus, and then worked at a nursery in Las Vegas. These two experiences also helped me to discover where I would most enjoy working in the plant industry.

I am also a runner on the track team. I run the 800m. I love running through nature, especially in Ithaca with beautiful woods and awesome trails. I also like to run fast, especially in winter when we run indoors to avoid the cold.

Right now my career plans are to have an independent business in plants and to continue researching the best kingdom on earth—and the second best fungi, and continue running.

Alfonso Doucette: Passionate about orchids

I’m from Woodstock, Georgia and I’m interested in orchids and their taxonomy. I grew up with a passion for orchids and in the last few years I’ve become seriously interested in orchids of the sub-tribe Pleurothallidinae.

I gained experience in the cultivation of orchid species and in identifying unidentified orchid species at Andy’s Orchids in Encinitas California.

I also recently had a Maxillaria orchid named in my honor, Maxillaria xdoucetteana, a natural hybrid found near Moyobamba, Peru. I am very pleased to be able to study at Cornell University and am more than pleased with all of the resources and opportunities Cornell offers its students.

Torben Russo: On the path to wetland conservation
I’m from Middlefield Massachusetts and major in Plant Sciences with a minor in Natural Resources. My personal interests include bicycling, bushwhacking, gardening, and sleeping when possible.

I would like to use my skills in Plant Science and Natural Resources to help delineate wetlands for conservation efforts in the future. Where that leads me I do not know, but I’m excited to take the journey. I would like to attain at least a Ph.D. in my travels and find a way to never stop learning.

Valuable advice for non-traditional students:

1. Don’t only listen to your advisor. They sometimes don’t understand your situation and may not know how your previous classes translate to the classes offered at Cornell. If concerned ask seniors or TA’s or write me at trr9@cornell.edu. We can help.
2. Don’t be afraid to take time off. Cornell offers an official “leave of absence” you can use to get your bearings. It’s there for a reason and helped me a lot.
3. Map out your schedule for every semester before you get to Cornell. It will save you valuable time and give you a unique framework to refer to if a class is canceled.

Great Classes: Intro Botany, Field Biology, Orchard Ecology, Forest Ecology

Finally, Internships at Cornell Plantations are awesome. Grab one if you can. Look to help with research in other areas if you have the time as the experience is valuable. Oh, and don’t trade sleep for work. It isn’t worth it. Organization is key.

Ben Riccardi: From vineyard management to winemaking
I’m from Dryden, New York and I’m in the Viticulture/Enology (grapes and wine) concentration.  I’m looking forward to becoming a vineyard manager.

My favorite classes have been Viticulture 1 and 2, the vineyard management classes. Winter break, 2006, I was a vine jockey at Sheldrake Point Vineyard, performing the dormant pruning. However, the bulk of my field experience has been by way of the Shaulis Scholarship.

As part of the scholarship, I spent the previous summer working out of the Geneva campus with the various members of faculty and staff involved in viticultural research. My focus over the summer was centered on a canopy management experiment for the new hybrid grape Noiret. I worked under the guidance of Dr. Justine Vanden Heuvel.

Currently, I’m taking part in both independent research on the berry chemistry of my separate summer trials, and group research, led by Kathy Arnink, vinifying the separate Noiret trials for future sensory analysis.

In my spare time, I like mountain biking, soccer, and skiing. To pass the time indoors I brew beer and make wine.