Introduction

In 2005, Dr. Margaret Young, an assistant professor at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and a graduate (Ph.D.) and former employee (postdoc) of Mississippi State University, contacted Dr. Peterson about the possibility of conducting summer research at MGEL.  Specifically, Dr. Young was interested in learning about gene isolation techniques that she could incorporate into her plant transformation/tissue culture research.  She also wished to bring two of her brightest students along with her so that they could also receive training in genomics.  Dr. Peterson, who was familiar with Dr. Young's reputation as a first rate educator and researcher, was excited at the possibility of collaboration with her, and submitted a DBI-0421717 supplement request to the NSF Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) to support Dr. Young and her students.  The PGRP kindly obliged, and consequently Dr. Young and her students Travis Faulcon and Kaleena Green will spend summer 2006 conducting research at MGEL.  Specifically, the ECSU contingent will be isolating and sequencing BAC clones associated with pine embryogenesis and self-incompatibility genes.

Drs. Young and Peterson are working to develop this initial collaboration into a long-term MGEL/ECSU education/outreach partnership.

Dr. Margaret M. Young
Elizabeth City State University

Summer 2006

ECSU students Kaleena Greene and Travis Faulcon will be doing research internships at MGEL in summer 2006 (starting June 12).  They will be conducting research in collaboration with Dr. Young, the MGEL staff, and Erin Reynolds, a Tougaloo summer intern.  We look forward to collaborating with Travis and Kaleena!