My name is Ally Weir, and I am pursuing a doctoral degree in Horticulture and Agronomy. My interest in plant science actually started here at UCD. I grew up in Davis, and during my Junior year in high school I participated in an internship in Allen Van Deynze’s lab. During this time, I helped identify a gene related to pepper fruit size. There is something incredibly empowering about contributing to work that has real life implications. This experience was both intimidating and exciting. I ended up coming back as a summer intern in the Van Deynze lab for four summers: two as a high school student, and two as an undergraduate.
I loved being part of this community of researchers, and I wanted to continue to do so. For my undergraduate degree, I went to California State University Fullerton and earned a B.S. in molecular biology. I joined the lab of Melanie Sacco as a freshman and worked with her for all five years I was at CSUF. I conducted an RNA-sequencing study on variations in the hyper-sensitive response in accessions of Nicoationa glutinosa infected by viruses from the genus Polerovirus. Through this work, I discovered a passion for studying the genetics of plant-pathogen interactions.
After coming back to UC Davis for graduate school, I joined Richard Michelmore’s lab. I am most interested in the genetics of resistance durability in plants. To me, it is the perfect balance of pathology, population and evolutionary genetics, and plant breeding. My thesis research focuses on increasing the longevity of resistance through a variety of approaches. These approaches include: (1) identification of Bremia lactucae avirulence effectors in order to better inform the generation and deployment of lettuce resistance gene stacks in the field, (2) utilization of quantitative resistance to B. lactucae in lettuce breeding pipelines, and (3) identification and transfer of lettuce genes conferring non-host resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato into susceptible tomato backgrounds.
I think the biggest lesson of my academic career has been learning to get comfortable being outside my comfort zone. Having been a high school student with limited knowledge of biology surrounded by experts in their field, then an incoming college freshman being handed her own project in a lab full of upperclassmen, and a new graduate student in a large and productive lab, it has been easy to feel overwhelmed and intimidated. There have been so many times that I needed help and had to fight the instinct to just soldier on and try to figure it out on my own. One thing I would say to incoming graduate students—or really any student who puts a lot of pressure on themselves—is that it’s ok not to know something and to just ask someone else. This is why you are going to school. Every time I have forced myself to ask whatever “dumb” question I have, it has always been met with enthusiasm and patience. Everyone in academia has gone through a similar situation, and most people are happy to help. As someone who is starting to answer as many questions as I am asking, I am always excited to help and talk about the thing I love most.
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