outreach

For four years, our laboratory has hosted students from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) as part of the Creating Awareness of Agriculture and Life Sciences Disciplines, Degree Programs and Discoveries (CAALS 3-D Project).

Our program entitled “Studies of Plant Cellular Organelles” introduces basic concepts in organelle biogenesis, the uses of protein reporters and analysis of genetic mutants for biotechnology. Students expose plants to chemical inhbitors, visualize protein reporters under fluorescence microscopes and genotype segregating populations by PCR. At the end of the program, the students give a short talk about their experience in front of other CAALS-3D students and NCSSM faculty.

Our lab also hosts visits from 7th grade students from River Oaks Middle School every year.