MaKenzie Drowns
Advisor's Name:
Sharon Kessler
Email Address:
Training Group:
Plant Biology
Research Summary:
My research uses Arabidopsis thaliana as a study system and combines genetics, cell biology, and microscopic approaches to understand the intercellular communication processes that drive reproductive development in plants. During plant reproductive development in flowering plants, initial communication between the male gametophyte (pollen grain) and the female reproductive tissue(pistil)are required for successful pollination and fertilization to give rise to seeds. By identifying key proteins that function in pollen-pistil communication, we can employ this knowledge to develop more productive crops and contribute to agricultural sustainability.
Why did you choose to attend PULSe:
I chose to attend the PULSe PhD program because of its emphasis on interdisciplinary research. Since I was unsure of the specific area of plant biology that I wanted to conduct research in, I was very excited for the opportunity to rotate in a variety of plant biology labs to help hone my research interests and develop my technical skills across the fields of plant biology.