In Profile: PSS's Person takes hands-on approach to undergraduate research
Getting her hands dirty observing soil samples in distant lands is not unfamiliar to Taylor Person, a Texas Tech undergraduate research assistant. A senior plant and soil science major, she's already been on two major research trips; one to Europe and the other to Alaska. The research was conducted in collaboration with David Weindorf, Tech's BL Allen Endowed Chair of Pedology in the Department of Plant and Soil Science.
As a result of her European research leg, the Bremerton, Wash.-native co-authored a research paper that focused on soil pollution in Romania. "That experience exposed me to research process, and really opened my mind," she said. "It really taught me to love research."
Separately, while on an Alaskan field course, Person spent two weeks doing intense studies as she travelled from central Alaska up into the northern coast. Part of her duties was to profile soil pits and examine frozen soil.
Today, Person is working as an undergraduate research assistant in Tech's Fiber and Biopolymer Research Laboratory. The experience comes with a steep learning curve, but it has helped her get accepted into a graduate research program at Colorado State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Department of Pest Management. She eventually plans to obtain a doctorate degree.
In terms of attending Texas Tech, Person said she's here because she has family in Texas, and Tech is known for its great agriculture programs. "I was really unsure about what college to attend, but looking back I wouldn't change anything."
Recognition of Person and Tech's plant and soil science's undergraduate research program is part of Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources yearlong salute to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations proclamation naming 2015 as the 'International Year of Soils.' Advocacy, awareness raising, and education are at the core of this international year with theme, 'Healthy soils for a healthy life.'
Written by Stefanie Wolf
CONTACT: David Weindorf, Associate Dean for Research, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or david.weindorf@ttu.edu
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