Miguel M.

The projects I conducted are summarized below: • Conducted a fine mapping experiment of a QTL that is 20 cM long, and finding candidate genes for tipburn tolerance in iceberg lettuce. Currently narrowed down the location to less than 1 cM. • Developed a new recombinant-inbred-line (RIL) population to find new QTL for tipburn tolerance in iceberg lettuce, which can elucidate whether tolerance to tipburn can be achieved through different biological pathways. The population has been genotyped using genotype-by-sequencing (GBS) and one year of field experiments have been completed. Results of the linkage map construction and QTL analysis were presented at the International Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXIV poster session. • Conducted an RNAseq experiment where tissue samples were collected from field-grown lettuce leaves in different water and nitrogen application combinations to explore the change in gene expression between treatments at different plant developmental stages. Currently the data is being analyzed with help from the UC Davis Bioinformatics Core and in collaboration with a lab in the USDA-ARS, Salinas. • Conducted field experiments to search for genetic variation in lettuce for water-use-efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen-use-efficiency (NUE) and identify QTL. The data has been presented at the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA 2015 annual meeting poster session.

I assisted Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky with teaching the course of PLS 205, Experimental Design and Analysis. My weekly responsibilities I completed are summarized below: • 3 hours of office hours. • Create the homework and exams for review by the professor. • Post all homework and exams as written in the syllabus. • Conduct 2 one-hour sessions of discussion • Teach 2 one-hour computer labs for data analysis using SAS 9.4.

I conducted a field experiment to collect phenotypic data from physiological traits of horticulture importance for a vegetable crop and conducted the analysis to associate the trait to a genetic region. During my internship I: • Constructed the linkage map using JoinMap 4. • Recorded the phenotype for hundreds of vegetable plants from a RIL population to map a qualitative trait in a linkage map. • Presented my results to Monsanto personnel nationally and locally.

I assisted in several experiments in taking data or processing samples. Apart from assisting other experiments I was responsible for conducting the following work: • Conducted an experiment where an allele from L. serriola of the LsNCED4 gene was introgressed to cultivated lettuce (i.e. L. sativa) to lower thermodormancy in lettuce seed (i.e. increase the germination rate of lettuce see at high temperatures). • Conducted cross pollination between near isogenic lines with the donor allele to cultivated lettuce plants and I utilized TaqMan probes to genotype and make selections of successful hybrids. • Designed and conducted the seed germination experiments to test whether the donor allele introgression reduced thermodormancy. These results where written up as a Senior Project and presented at the 2011 Kellogg’s Honors College Convocation.

I was responsible for managing the weed control in the farm and preparing fields by operating tractors.

My responsibilities were to attended customers, manage the cash register, and I was responsible for the daily accounting of the my branch.

As a metal stud framer, I worked on jobs building the interior and exterior designs of buildings and other structures. Some jobs include the interior framing of WorldMark Indio, CA, and the interior remodeling of Fantasy Springs Casino.

I completed several daily tasks such as milking cows, attending to all the animals in the farm including for basic medical attention, planting seasonal corn and processing it for animal feed, and I farmed a small herd of pigs.

• I joined the EnvironMentors program. As a member, I mentored a high school student to plan and run a science project. The high school student I mentored was selected to present her research at the EnvironMentors National Science Fair and won the Excellence in Environmental Health Research Scholarship. • I served as the treasurer for the Students of Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group club. • Currently, I have been selected to participate in a Trellis Fund project (http://horticulture.ucdavis.edu/main/trellis.html). I applied to the Trellis Fund to help an NGO located in Zambia, Africa start a seed storage project. I am currently helping them gather information about good seed storage conditions, how to keep records of the seed being stored, how to select good quality seed, how to monitor seed quality, and how to condition seed to improve seed vigor.

• Completely managed a two acre jalapeño crop enterprise project in partnership with two other students. • I volunteered as an Agriculture Ambassador. Working with other ambassadors, we visited high schools in Southern California to inform students about Cal Poly Pomona and the College of Agriculture. We also participated in other outreach events such as the Tulare World Ag Expo. • As a senior, I conducted research project for credit and as part of the Keith and Jean Kellogg Honors College. I presented a poster of my research in the 2011 Kellogg Honors College convocation titled "Introgression of LsNCED4 from Wild Lettuce Improves Germination of Domesticated Lettuce at High Temperature". • Graduated with honors and Summa Cum Laude.

Transferred from College of the Desert, Palm Desert, CA

Transfered to Mt. San Antonio College