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The Visiting Scholar Program invites students and professionals to work as short-term scholars with LSU Agricultural Center Researchers. Scholars work directly with a mentor in an area of mutual interest to gain practical experience and enhanced research skills.
Spring & Fall 2023
The scholar will participate in applied and basic research on postharvest technology and physiology of horticultural crops. Tasks to be conducted include determining the effect of storage temperature, storage atmospheric conditions, cultivar, and packaging treatments on fruit and vegetable crop physiology, composition and quality. Research activities will involve sample preparation, filtration, and quantification of individual sugars, organic acids, and vitamins by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and spectrophotometry. The effect of agro-processing conditions on value-added fruit and vegetable product composition and quality will also be analyzed.
Requesting M.S. or PhD. students with previous experience working in a laboratory.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Spring Summer, & Fall 2023
Dr. Ely Oliveira-Garcia (Assistant Professor)
The intern will focus on the functional characterization of Magnaporthe oryzae effector proteins in rice cells during infection. Laboratory experiments will focus on generation of plasmids, fungal transformation, gene knockouts, protein tagging assays. Live cell imaging of fluorescently labeled effectors in rice cells undergoing infection will be performed through super-resolution confocal microscopy. Growth chamber experiments will focus on assessment of the virulence of knockout strains in rice and barley.
1. Generation of plasmid vectors
2. Generation of knockout, complemented and strains expressing fluorescently-labeled effector proteins
3. Live expressing fluorescently-labeled effector proteins
4. Fungal Virulence/Host Resistance Trials
Students will be responsible for conducting experiments related to the Specific Activities 1-4 under the supervision of Dr. Oliveira-Garcia and with the support of a Research Associate (technician) and graduate students.
Bachelors in Biology, Chemistry, Agronomy or close related fields.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Spring Summer, & Fall 2023
Dr. Ely Oliveira-Garcia (Assistant Professor)
The intern will focus on the assessment of the genetic diversity of Fusarium species causing Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) in wheat in the U.S.A. Laboratory experiments will focus on fungal pathogen isolation from diseased samples, microbial culture, fungal DNA extraction, molecular characterization of Fusarium strains, phylogenetic analyses, determination of the genetic diversity through SSR markers. Greenhouse/growth chamber experiments will focus on assessment of the virulence of Fusarium species in wheat.
1. Disease Sampling and Processing
2. Molecular characterization of Fusarium strains
3. Fungal Virulence/Host Resistance Trials
Students will be responsible for conducting experiments related to the Specific Activities 1-3 under the supervision of Dr. Oliveira-Garcia and with the support of a Research Associate (technician) and graduate students.
Bachelors in Biology, Chemistry, Agronomy or close related fields.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Summer & Fall 2023 (2-4 months. Four months preferred)
Dr. Giovanna M. Aita, PhD.
Up to two, located within the Audubon Sugar Institute.
The interns will help conduct research in the area of biomass conversion to bioproducts. Interns will be part of any on-going research projects in nanotechnology & biotechnology. Project areas involve green synthesis of nanoparticles from renewable biomass and process by-products, nanoparticle characterization and evaluation of their biological activities (e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidant), and development of biofertilizers. Interns will be trained on safety, on the use of equipment (e.g., microplate reader, autoclave, SEM, TEM, ATR-FTIR) and basic techniques needed for the project. Interns are expected to work in the laboratory full-time alongside Dr. Aita’s research team.
The student should have general knowledge and skills in the areas of microbiology (aseptic techniques, microbial growth, media preparation) biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, and should have completed at least his/her third year at a university level. MS and PhD students are encouraged to apply.
The candidate should be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and have adequate communication, writing and computational skills. Laboratory experience is required. Good housekeeping practices and techniques are a must.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Spring & Fall 2023
Dr. Terrence Tiersch (Professor & Director)
The Aquatic Germplasm and Genetic Resources Center (AGGRC, www.aggrc.com) at the LSU AgCenter is a global leader in management and protection of aquatic genetic resources through repository development for germplasm (e.g., sperm, eggs, embryos), supported by funding from state and federal agencies such the National Institutes of Health (NIH), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Researchers at the AGGRC conduct cutting-edge research with a variety (i.e., > 100) of aquatic organisms (e.g., fishes, salamanders, frogs, mollusks, algae) to support biomedical research, aquaculture, conservation of imperiled species, and fisheries management. The AGGRC has developed a one-of-its-kind interdisciplinary technology development program where researchers across diverse fields (e.g., biologists, engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, and artists) collaborate closely to create innovative technologies such as open scientific hardware with on-site facilities including more than fifty 3-D printers and a 3-D printing farm, machine shop, an electrical-cryobiology laboratory, machine learning approaches, industrial manufacturing strategies, and commercial-scale cryopreservation capabilities. We support communities through a well-established outreach and education program with various activities such as interaction with K-12 students, production of digital media, inspirational tours, opportunities for internship, interdisciplinary courses, undergraduate research projects, technology workshops, and industry partnerships. In addition, AGGRC values a diverse and inclusive environment with team members from around the world. There are opportunities for strongly motivated, independent, and innovative students to combine biology and engineering technologies in a highly interdisciplinary environment. Examples of available research opportunities include process development for cryopreservation of biological materials, assisted reproduction, and collaboration with engineers and makers to produce practical devices for germplasm preservation. Experience with reproductive biology, CAD, 3-D printing, and open hardware would be beneficial, including a strong desire for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Spring, Summer & Fall, 2023
Manufacture of fermented and frozen dairy foods and their analyses. Probiotic characteristics namely, acid tolerances and bile tolerances of culture and probiotic bacteria.
To assist in some / all or a combination of the following activities
1) lab analyses
2) dairy product manufacture
3) food processing plant activities,
4) recording and analyzing data
5) scientific literature search
6) report / manuscript writing.
To work as a lab team member and / or individually on assigned activities described in 1-6 above.
Eagerness to learn and ability to conduct lab / processing plant activities as shown/instructed.
Internship is open to Bachelors, Masters, & Ph.D. students.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Summer & Fall, 2023
Research interns will collect and process data for various projects on tree ecophysiology in forests near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Current projects include an assessment of residual water loss through tree bark, an experiment testing how bending whole loblolly pine trees affects their vascular system, and an observational study looking at the effects of nutrient addition on water use in bald cypress trees.
Interns will use pressure chambers to measure leaf water potential, portable gas exchange systems to measure photosynthesis and transpiration, and a field spectroradiometer to measure leaf hyperspectral reflectance. They will also help to organize data and perform preliminary analyses.
Interns must be willing to work outdoors in hot and humid weather. They must be able to walk with a backpack over rough and sometimes muddy terrain. Some field days will include predawn (5AM) measurements.
Interns should have completed at least one course in plant biology and be familiar with Windows OS and Microsoft Office.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
Summer & Fall, 2023 (2-4 month internship)
Dr. Todd D. Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Forest Entomology in the Department of Entomology at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. His research program uses laboratory and field bioassays to understand how natural variation in the environment impacts the evolution and maintenance of chemicals produced by insects and plants in tri-trophic systems. Johnson seeks to use research findings to improve management of insects of conservation or economic concern.
The intern(s) will help conduct research on projects related to behavioral and chemical ecology, as well as conservation in forest ecosystems. These projects can include but are not limited to:
Sampling, processing, and identifying biodiversity of arthropods associated with bottomland species of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees threatened by the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis),
Testing attractants and repellents of native and non-native wood boring insects in the field,
Field studies evaluating the importance of multi-modal cues (e.g., visual and chemical) for longhorn beetle mate-location and predator-avoidance,
Collection of volatiles from insects and plants under variable environmental conditions
Development of automated monitoring systems (e.g., computer vision) to observe and test hypotheses related to insect behavior under ecologically relevant conditions.
Interns will be trained on safety, use of dichotomous keys for insect and plant identification, use of equipment (e.g., chainsaw [if desired], collection of volatiles, GC/MS) and insect collection techniques. Interns are expected to work in the laboratory or field full-time (40 hr/wk) alongside Dr. Johnson’s research team.
Depending on the project and interests of the student, they should have general knowledge and skills in at least two of the following areas: ecology, entomology, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, or electrical engineering, and should have completed at least their third year at a university level. MS and PhD students are encouraged to apply.
Prior fieldwork experience, plant or insect identification, sampling and analysis of volatile compounds, automated data collection and analysis, analysis of images and videos with neural networks or other computer vision tools
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
April- December, 2023 Long-Term Research Opportunity
Dr. Tristan Watson (Assistant Professor)
The intern will focus on evaluating integrated pest management strategies for plant-parasitic nematodes on cotton in Louisiana. The study will involve conducting field trials in two locations (Winnsboro and St. Joseph, Louisiana) to evaluate the impact of cotton host resistance and in-furrow applied nematicides on reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) populations. The experimental design will be multifactorial and will include evaluation of various cotton cultivars and nematicide chemistries in small-plot field trials conducted from April 2023 to November 2023. Complimentary greenhouse trials with nematode-infested field soil will also be conducted. The intern will learn how to conduct small-plot field studies, greenhouse pot experiments, nematology laboratory techniques, data analysis, and write scientific reports/manuscripts.
1. Conduct two field trials to evaluate new resistant cotton cultivars and nematicides for suppression of reniform nematode
2. Conduct complimentary greenhouse trials to evaluate new resistant cotton cultivars and nematicides for suppression of reniform nematode on cotton.
Students will be responsible for conducting experiments related to the Specific Activities 1-2 under the supervision of Dr. Tristan Watson and with the support of a Research Associate (technician) and graduate students.
Email: jrthomas@agcenter.lsu.edu
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture