In 2024, the DOE Joint Genome Institute and Alabama A&M University piloted an internship program to bring students to the JGI for research training experience. Enabled by the DOE RENEW initiative, undergraduate student Ti’Yanna Watson and graduate student LaMonika Dent worked with JGI mentors Yi Zhai and John Vogel on researching the effects of Brachypodium distachyon plant root exudates on the plant microbiome. They also took part in many enriching workshops and networked with fellow interns and scientists alike. Want to learn more about their experience? Watch the short video below.
Video Transcript:
Ti’Yanna Watson: Hi, I’m Ti’Yanna Watson, a senior biology major and currently attending Alabama A&M University, and I am an aspiring pediatric orthodontist.
LaMonika Dent: my name is LaMonika Dent, and I’ll be attending Alabama A&M University this fall for my master’s in plant soil science and my career focus is plant breeding.
Ti’Yanna Watson: My mentor is Dr. Yi Zhai, and I’m currently working on the effect of plant root exudates in the rhizosphere and microbiome. The rhizosphere is the area surrounding the roots of a plant in the soil. And I’m specifically working with a grass plant that’s similar to wheat and rice called Brachypodium distachyon.
LaMonika Dent: We have been working on creating transgenic plants with CRISPR Cas9 knockout mutants to observe and investigate how transporter proteins regulate the production of root exudates, which overall influences the health and composition of the root microbiome and rhizosphere.
Ti’Yanna Watson: I really hope to gain laboratory experience working with tools as well as laboratory machines in hopes of transferring these skills to a DMD to a PhD program.
LaMonika Dent: I hope to gain hands-on experience in molecular biology and plant functional genomics, because this work is essential for improving crop resilience through climate change.
Ti’Yanna Watson: The best part about interning here is the community aspect. Everyone here has also been so very nice and willing to lend a helping hand at any opportunity that they have. Any questions that I may have, everyone has been able to jump to and assist me in even my experiments, as well as deliverables.
LaMonika Dent: The best part of being a JGI intern has been just the accessibility to an abundance of knowledge. There’s so many scientists here that are willing to tell you what they’re working on, and it helps you become more knowledgeable and well-rounded. Whether it’s something that’s similar to what you’re working on or completely different, if you have curiosity, all you have to do is reach out and grab those opportunities. And there’s been so many chances for me to grow and just learn. And being a JGI intern means not only just watching and observing your mentor, but also being a support for them and contributing to what they’re trying to achieve.