The Whitaker Lab is located within the Mycotoxin Prevention & Applied Microbiology Unit at the AgLab in Peoria, IL. We research how beneficial bacterial and fungal partners can be recruited to help reduce disease from pathogenic Fusarium spp. in wheat and barley.
As part of this goal, the ORISE intern will have the opportunity to participate in an ongoing field research project to identify the genetic and functional diversity of pathogenic Fusarium spp. in U.S.-grown barley. Additionally, they will manage an independent
project to identify how select bacterial and fungal partners impact barley growth and disease. The ORISE intern will gain skills in agricultural fieldwork, plant growth and maintenance, and basic microbiology skills such as growing microbiota, pipetting and
inoculating plants with microbiota, and sterile technique. The intern will also gain skills in experimental design, data management, and statistical analyses using R.
