Graduate student
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853

2005-present PhD student, General Plant Pathology; Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University

2005, M.S., Soil Science, Cornell University

2000, B.A., Biology, Reed College

1997, Undergraduate Semester Abroad Program, Organization for Tropical Studies, Duke University

Graduate Advisor: Dr. Eric Nelson

Research Focus     

My dissertation research focuses on understanding the microbial mechanisms behind compost-mediated disease suppression. I work with the model seed infecting oomycete pathogen, Pythium aphanidermatum or seedling damping off. I’m currently working towards taxonomically and functionally characterizing the seed-colonizing microbial communities associated with disease suppressive composts and vermicomposts. I’m especially interested in how different composting processes can affect the disease suppressive properties of the final product. My work focuses on the interaction of Pythium and microbial communities in the spermosphere as a model system for increasing our understanding of the ecology behind biologically based pest management.

For my minor in Adult and Extension Education I seek to understand how effective communication between agricultural scientists and extension educators can facilitate research and programs that are relevant to community stakeholders. I’m currently using a qualitative tool, narrative inquiry, to develop profiles of agricultural science educators who successfully engage with both researchers and growers.

Links to Recent and Current Projects    

New extension publication http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/announcements/000485.php

Professional Experience    

1999-2000 Teaching Assistant
Reed College
Bio322 Plant Physiology

2000-2002 AmeriCorps*VISTA (Full time)
Portland Public Schools: Environmental Middle School
Waste reduction educator & Service learning coordinator

2002 Research Assistant
Cornell University: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Apple Replant Disease & Bt Corn: Non-target effects

2002-2004 Teaching Assistant
Cornell University: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
CSS 260 Introductory Soil Science & CSS 466 Soil Ecology

2005-ongoing Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University: Department of Plant Pathology
Spermosphere microbial communities

Awards and Honors     

2006–Andrew W. Mellon Student Research Grant
2004–MacDonald/Musgrave Graduate Student Award for Excellence: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
2005–Towards Sustainability Foundation: research grant (J.E. Thies, A. Rangarajan, A. L. Hornor, T. Pilinaro) Evaluating Impacts of Organic
Transplant Media on Plant Growth and Root Rhizosphere Bacterial
Communities – Year 2
2004–Towards Sustainability Foundation: research grant (J.E. Thies, A. Rangarajan, A.L. Hornor) Evaluating Impacts of Organic
Transplant Media on Plant Growth and Root Rhizosphere Bacterial
Communities
2004–Organic Farming Research Foundation: research grant (A.L. Hornor and J.E. Thies): Detecting and monitoring human pathogens in vermicompost and compost tea – Year 2. [$8,203]
2003–Organic Farming Research Foundation: research grant (A.L. Hornor): Brewing and handling vermicompost tea to avoid human and plant pathogens. [$4,500]
2002–Outstanding Teaching Assistant: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
2002 & 2003–NSF Graduate Research Fellowship: Honorable Mention
2002–AmeriCorps*VISTA Education Award
1999–National Science Foundation AIRE Fellowship Recipient

Elected and Appointed Offices     

2004-2005 –Treasurer, Soil and Crop Sciences Graduate Student Association

2005-2006 – Treasurer, New World Agriculture and Ecology Group

2006-ongoing – Secretary, New World Agriculture and Ecology Group www.rso.cornell.edu/nwaeg

Volunteer Work

2003-ongoing – Master Composter with Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension

2006- ongoing – Compost co-coordinator at the Ithaca Community Garden

AAAS
APS
Cornell University Managing Organic Residuals Program Work Team
Cornell University Organic Production and Marketing Program Work Team
Sustainable Agriculture Education Association
NWAEG International

Publications    

Jack, A.L.H. and J.E. Thies, Compost and vermicompost as amendments promoting soil health, in Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems, N.T. Uphoff, Editor. 2006, CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL. p. 453-466.

Peters, S.J., O’Connell, D.J., Alter, T.R., and Jack, A. L. H. (2006) Catalyzing Change.
Profiles of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators from Greene,
Tompkins, and Erie Counties, NY. Cornell University