Department of Plant Sciences master’s degree student Felicity Merritt took first place for her oral presentation in the fourth annual Graduate Student Council Research Symposium held Nov. 21 at NDSU.
Merritt presented “Identification of Genes Involved in the Sugar End Disorder in Tetraploid Potato.” She researched the management of sugar end disorder in tetraploid potato by working to identify the genes involved in resistance to the disorder using Genome-Wide Association Studies, so that resistant cultivars can be developed.
Merritt is originally from Eugene, Oregon, and earned her undergraduate degree at Dickinson State University in Dickinson, North Dakota. Her master’s program adviser is professor and potato breeder Asunta Thompson.
Other Department of Plant Sciences students who presented were:
· Peter Beerbower, poster presentation, “Fine Mapping the Rust Resistance Gene Ur-6 in Common Bean”
· Edgar Escobar, oral presentation, “Multi-parent Advance Generation Inter-cross Population for Improvement of Genetic Resistance of Dry Bean to White Mold: WM-MAGIC”
· Edoardo Poletti, oral presentation, “Resistance to Dickeya Dianthicola: Screening NDSU Potato Germplasm.” He was a finalist in the oral presentation competition.
· J. Stanley, poster presentation, “Optimal Seeding Rates for New Hard Red Spring Wheat Cultivars in Diverse Environments”
· Kutay Yilmaz, oral presentation, “Grain Sorghum Yield Response to Genotype Maturity and Seeding Date in North Dakota”
Cereal Science doctoral student Ana Magallanes López is a member of the Graduate Student Council leadership team and serves on the public relations and outreach committee. Senay Simsek, professor and wheat quality project leader, serves on the GSC advisory board.
The GSC Research Symposium is an opportunity for graduate students to exchange research, knowledge and expertise while developing presentation skills for use in future professional events.
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