Education and Relevant Experience Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Plant Biology. Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, California. Started September 2021 to present Advisor: Seung Yon (Sue) Rhee, Ph.D.
Philosophy Doctorate, Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee. Started Fall 2015. Ph.D. candidate since October 2017. Graduation: December 2021. Advisor: Dan Roberts, Ph.D. Dissertation: CALMODULIN LIKE 38 is required for autophagy of hypoxia-induced cytoplasmic RNA granules in Arabidopsis thaliana
Masters of Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. July, 2015. Advisor: Beth E. Thompson, Ph.D. Thesis: Characterization of fuzzy tassel male sterility defects implicates novel miRNA-regulated pathways in maize stamen development.
Bachelors of Science, double major in Microbiology; Plant Cellular & Molecular Biology, with Research Distinction in Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. May, 2013. Advisor: Rebecca S. Lamb, Ph.D. Senior Thesis: Characterization and Expression of FRIEND OF LEAFY1 (FOL1) in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Publications Field S, Geng-Jen Jang, Caroline Dean C, Lucia C. Strader, Seung Y. Rhee. (in press, The Plant Cell). Review: Plants use molecular mechanisms mediated by biomolecular condensates to integrate environmental cues with development. doi: 10.1093/plcell/koad062
Field S, Whitney Gulledge, Daniel M. Roberts. (in revision) The Arabidopsis Calcium Sensor Calmodulin-like 38 Regulates Stress Granule Autophagy and Dynamics during Low Oxygen Stress and Re-aeration Recovery. bioRxiv 2021.01.10. doi: 10.1101/2021.01.10.426134
Field S, W. C. Conner and Daniel M. Roberts (2021) Arabidopsis CALMODULIN-LIKE 38 Regulates Hypoxia-induced Autophagy of SUPPRESSOR OF GENE SILENCING 3 Bodies. Frontiers in Plant Science. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.722940
Field S*, Alex Rajewski (2021) Challenges facing LGBTQ+ early-career scientists and how to engage in changing the status quo, The Plant Cell, Volume 33, Issue 6, June 2021,1859-1862. doi: 10.1093/plcell/koab094 (*corresponding author)
W. Craig Conner, Sterling Field, Ansul Lokdarshi, Daniel M. Roberts (in revision) Regulator of Gene Silencing-Calmodulin associates with mRNA granules and the autophagy protein ATG8. bioRxiv 858092; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/858092
Field S, Thompson B (2016) Analysis of the Maize dicer-like1 Mutant, fuzzy tassel, Implicates MicroRNAs in Anther Maturation and Dehiscence. PLoS ONE 11(1): e0146534. doi:10.1371/journal. pone.0146534
Research Experience Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Plant Biology, Stanford, California. 2021-2023 Postdoctoral Fellow; Advisor: Dr. Seung Yon Rhee.
The University of Tennessee, Department of BCMB, Knoxville, Tennessee. 2016-2021 Graduate Research Assistant; Advisor: Dr. Dan Roberts. Investigated calcium-dependent RNA association with CML38, discovered CML38 interacting proteins. Trained undergraduate researchers to be proficient in a laboratory setting. Outreached to the local hands on science museum with research to help public understand plant science research.
East Carolina University, Department of Biology, Greenville, North Carolina. 2013-2015 Graduate Research Assistant; Advisor: Dr. Beth Thompson. Tracked expression of ZmMyb74 and ZmMyb138 in Maize tassels and ears, developed mutant lines, investigated fuzzy tassel stamen development through morphological and molecular markers.
The Ohio State University, Department of Plant Cellular & Molecular Biology, 2011-2013 Department of Molecular Genetics, Columbus, Ohio. Undergraduate Research Assistant; Advisor: Dr. Rebecca S. Lamb. Discovered fol1 was pollen lethal, transformed plants with reporter constructs to track expression and rescue pollen, found FOL1 is expressed in meiotic pollen and rescue constructs restored fertility.
The Ohio State University, Biological Sciences Greenhouses, Columbus, Ohio. 2010 Undergraduate Greenhouse Assistant Organize greenhouses and lab materials for Bio classes, quarantined plants seized by US Customs.
Honors/Awards Extraordinary Campus Leadership and Service Award March 2020 University wide award for outstanding leadership on and off campus LGBTQ Student Leadership Award March 2020 University wide award for leadership in the LGBTQ+ community American Society of Plant Biologists Plant Biology 2017 Travel Grant. ASPB January 2020 Travel Grant to attend the International meeting and present research. Knoxville Gay Mens Choir Crescendo Award for LGBTQ+ Community Support September 2019 Accepted on behalf of TEP, awarded for helping the Knox LGBTQ+ Community Plantae Fellow for the American Society of Plant Biologists. February 2019 Honorary Co-chair for the Tennessee Equality Project. December 2017 American Society of Plant Biologists Conviron Scholars Program. August 2017 For exceptional undergraduate and graduate students studying plant biology. American Society of Plant Biologists Plant Biology 2017 Travel Grant. ASPB January 2017 Travel Grant to attend the International meeting and present research. Chancellor’s Fellowship. BCMB department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Fall 2015 to Summer 2019 For excellence in incoming graduate students. American Society of Plant Biologists Mid-Western Section Meeting, Chicago, Illinois. March 2013 Runner-Up for Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation. American Society of Plant Biologists Mid-Western Section Meeting Travel Grant. March 2013 Travel Grant to attend meeting and present research. National Buckeye Scholarship, Ohio State University. 2009-2013 For undergraduate GPA. Harold McIntosh Scholarship, GLBT Alumni Society, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 2009 For Service to the GLBT community.
Teaching Experience University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2015-2021 Graduate Teaching Assistant for BCMB419: Biochemistry Laboratory Assist laboratory prep, grading. Head TA. Graduate Teaching Assistant for BCMB409: Scientific Writing and communication Assisted with assignments, grading, and helping students. Graduate Teaching Assistant for General Biology 101 lecture Assisted lecture professor with group activities, grading, and answering student questions. Graduate Teaching Assistant for General Biology 102 Laboratory Taught 2 sections of 20-25 students. Graduate Teaching Assistant for BCMB230: Human Physiology Laboratory Taught 3 sections of 20 students. Graduate Teaching Assistant for Bio160: General Molecular Biology and Science Literature Assist with 3 sections of 25 students each.
East Carolina University 2013-2015 Teaching Assistant for Fundamentals of Microbiology for Nursing Majors Laboratory Undergraduate laboratory course. Taught 1 to 3 laboratories per semester, 15-16 students each. Teaching Assistant for Cell Physiology Laboratory For biology major students. Taught one lab of 16 students. Summer 2015
Leadership/Service Experience Allies 101 Workshop: how to affirm and support LGBTQ+ students in the lab and classroom. July 2020 Organized workshop, lead activities. Workshop atPlant Biology 2020, trained participants how to help LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented minority students in the lab and classroom. 60 people attended.
LGBTQ+ Plant Scientists Network 2019-Present Founder, lead organizer Founded group, organized social and workshop at Plant Biology 2019, Assembled/lead panel on LGBT issues, increased visibility of LGBTQ+ folks in ASPB, launched LGBTQ+ Plant Biology blog series.
Tennessee Equality Project and TEP Foundation Spring 2018-Winter 2020 Board Member, representing Knoxville and surrounding areas Voting board member of the 501(c)3 and 501(c)4 non-profits. Have say in budget, initiatives, legislation, and outreach activities of the state-wide organization.
OUTstanding conference for service and leadership in the LGBTQ+ community, Knox, TN 2016, 2018, 2019 Co-Lead organizer, Main organizer Planned meetings, applied for funding/grants, organized volunteers and coordinated outreach efforts, reserved conference space, outreached to local community groups, designed flyers, reviewed proposals.
Tennessee Equality Project, Knox, Anderson, Blount County Committee, Tennessee 2016-2021 Chair,Member/organizer Organize and staffed community outreach and talk about health resources in the local area at local Farmers markets and Pride festival, collected donations, volunteer at community outreach events.
YDSA@UTK, University of Tennessee, Knoxville May 2017-May 2018 Co-leader/founder Filed paperwork to start group, managed social media, organized phone bank for local city council candidates, hosted talks on campus with city council candidates, provided leadership advice and mentorship to co-leaders of group, organized and coordinated outreach to campus community
DSA-Knoxville, Knoxville 2017-2019 Member, executive committee member Helped with outreach, coordinated with YDSA@UTK for phone banking and carpooling, helped carry banner at Knoxville Pride and MLK Day Parade, submit applications for tabling, represent DSA at events in and around Knoxville.
Chancellors Commission for LGBT People, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2016-2018 Member; Committee for Equity and Climate Provided input and proposed ideas to improving the climate for LGBT people at University of Tenn.
OUTgrads at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2015-2017 President/leader Revived organization, held socials to facilitate cross-departmental networking, hosted OUTstanding 2016 LGBTQ+ conference for the Knoxville area LGBTQ+ community, initiated and organized collaborations between leadership of UTK LGBTQ+ groups to address climate issues on campus
East Carolina University GLBTQ Graduate Student Organization 2014-2015 Leader Revived organization, lead meetings, collaborated with offices and organizations at ECU.
Thompson Lab, East Carolina University 2014-2015 Mentor Mentored Community College and undergraduates students, assigned projects, helped with trouble shooting research issues, provided context for experiments.
Out to Innovate Conference, National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and 2011-2012 Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) Host and organizer Reserved conference space, performed out-reach to universities, organized volunteers, coordinated and arranged meetings between Ohio State, Battelle, and NOGLSTP.
out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math at Ohio State (oSTEM@OSU) 2010-2013 President Organized weekly meetings, held career workshops, networked with professional and academic laboratories, collaborated with GLBT and STEM organizations on campus.
Ohio State University GLBT Alumni Society 2009-2011 Liaison to Student body Fundraised for student scholarships, connected student organizations with resources from alumni program, represented student body to the GLBT Alumni board.
Professional Affiliations American Society of Plant Biologists Southern Section 2013 to Present Mid-Western Section 2013 American Association for the Advancement of Science 2015 to Present
Research Presentations Oral Presentation: Regulator of Gene Silencing Calmodulin-Like protein 38 and mRNP particle turnover by autophagy during low oxygen stress · Plant Biology 2020 July 2020 · Plant Autophagy Meeting (30 minute presentation, Virtual) May 2020 Poster Abstract: The Arabidopsis calcium sensor protein CML38 is an essential hypoxia response protein that assembles with translating and non-translating mRNA nucleoprotein complexes · ASPB Southern Section Meeting, Orlando, Florida. April 2017 · Plant Biology 2017, ASPB, Honolulu, Hawaii. June 2017 · Plant Biology 2018, ASPB, Montreal, Canada July 2018 Poster Abstract: The maize male sterile fuzzy tassel mutant makes abnormal stamens that fail to produce mature pollen. · The 57th Annual Maize Genetics Conference, St. Charles, Illinois. March 2015 · Research and Creativity Achievement Week, East Carolina University. March 2015 Poster Abstract: Determining the Expression of two MYB transcription factors, ZmMyb74 and ZmMyb138, in Zea mays. · Research and Creativity Achievement Week, East Carolina University. April 2014 Oral Presentation of Senior Thesis, Center for Applied Plant Research, Ohio State April 2013 Oral Presentation of Senior Project, American Society of Plant Biologists, March 2013 Midwestern Section Meeting, Chicago Illinois Poster Abstract: Characterization and Expression of FRIEND OF LEAFY1 (FOL1) in Arabidopsis thaliana · Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, Ohio State University March 2013 · Out to Innovate Conference, Columbus, Ohio October 2012 · The Botany Conference, Columbus, Ohio July 2012 · Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, Ohio State University May 2012 · Natural and Mathematical Sciences Undergraduate Research Forum, Ohio State April 2012
Published Articles (Not-peer reviewed) Celebrating Pride, 2022. Coordinated and assembled seven blog posts from LGBTQ+ Plant Scientists from the USA and UK to discuss challenges and solutions to make our community stronger. Plantae. June 2022
Public Visibility Interview on UTK being the 2nd worst schools for LGBTQ+ students, and what the community can do about it, for East Tennessee WBIR News station. August 2020