Sienna Ogawa
Advisor's Name:
Sharon Kessler
Email Address:
Training Group:
Plant Biology
Research Summary:
Plants need to perceive and respond to changes in their environment in order to survive. Calcium signaling is a signaling mechanism that is important for plant response to biotic and abiotic stressors as well as plays crucial roles in plant development and reproduction. I study the MILDEW RESISTANCE LOCUS O (MLO) family of calcium channels in Arabidopsis, which remains largely uncharacterized. My research includes characterizing MLO family members for their roles in root development and pollen tube reception. I was also awarded a USDA NIFA-AFRI Predoctoral Fellowship to investigate whether manipulating calcium signaling through altering expression or regulation of MLO family members can increase plant tolerance to salinity or drought stress.
Why did you choose to attend PULSe:
I knew that I was interested in joining a plant biology lab and applied to programs that would let me rotate through a variety of plant labs. The Center for Plant Biology (CPB) is an interdepartmental center that consists of all the basic plant biology faculty at Purdue. I chose to attend PULSe because the plant biology training program allowed me to rotate in any of the CPB affiliated labs and explore a variety of research topics that I wouldn't otherwise be able to at another institution.