PhD Student, Department of Plant Biology
Education:
Bachelor of Science: Biological Sciences at Cornell University
Research:
Michelle began as a research technician in the Ainsworth lab and is now a PhD student in the Department of Plant Biology. As a technician, Michelle contributed to the RIPE (Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency) project, with her research focusing on investigating a novel soybean gene and its role in contributing to leaf shape and investigating a specialized cell layer in soybean and how it may affect yield. Her graduate work is now focused on the development of cold tolerant corn as part of the CERCA (Circular Economy that Reimagines Corn Agriculture) project.
Publications:
Tamang, B.G., Zhang, Y., Zambrano, M.A., Ainsworth, E.A., 2023. Anatomical determinants of gas exchange and hydraulics vary with leaf shape in soybean. Annals of Botany 131, 909–920. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcac118
Teaching:
Applied Statistics (Fall 2023)- Teaching Assistant, UIUC