Graduate student
Cornell University
Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology
Ithaca, NY 14853
Email: alh54@cornell.edu
2005-present PhD student, General Plant Pathology; Department of Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology, Cornell University
2005, M.S., Soil Science, Cornell University
2000, B.A., Biology, Reed College
1997, Undergraduate Semester Abroad Program, Organization for Tropical Studies, Duke University
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Eric Nelson
Research Focus
My dissertation research focuses on understanding the microbial mechanisms behind compost-mediated disease suppression. I work with the model seed infecting oomycete pathogen, Pythium aphanidermatum, and a disease suppressive vermicomposted dairy manure. I want to understand how the spermosphere microbial community prevents P. aphanidermatum zoospores from finding the host and initiating infections. My work focuses on the interaction of Pythium and microbial communities in the spermosphere as a model system for increasing our understanding of the ecology behind biologically based pest management.
For my minor in Adult and Extension Education I seek to understand how effective communication between agricultural scientists and extension educators can facilitate research and programs that are relevant to community stakeholders.
Links to Recent and Current Projects
http://www.css.cornell.edu/cwmi/vermicompost.htm
http://devsoc.cals.cornell.edu/cals/devsoc/outreach/cardi/publications/upload/catalyzing_change.pdf
Professional Experience
1999-2000 Teaching Assistant
Reed College
Bio322 Plant Physiology
2000-2002 AmeriCorps*VISTA (Full time)
Portland Public Schools: Environmental Middle School
Waste reduction educator & Service learning coordinator
2002 Research Assistant
Cornell University: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Apple Replant Disease & Bt Corn: Non-target effects
2002-2004 Teaching Assistant
Cornell University: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
CSS 260 Introductory Soil Science & CSS 466 Soil Ecology
2005-2010 Graduate Research Assistant
Cornell University: Department of Plant Pathology
Spermosphere microbial communities
Spring 2008 Instructor
Cornell University: Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines
Freshman Writing Seminar: Symbiotic Associations in Nature
Spring 2011 Graduate Teaching Assistant
Cornell University: Department of Plant Pathology
Magical Molds, Mischievous Mushrooms
Awards and Honors
Fellowships-awards
2010 American Phytopathological Society (APS) Office of Public Relations and Outreach video contest, grand prize winner: Vermicompost and Pythium suppression ALH Jack, J Bonhotal, A Michel and P Wilde producers
2010 CU Center for Life Science Enterprise Second prize poster at the Public Engagement and Science Communication event hosted by the Cornell Center for Life Science Enterprise ALH Jack, E Carr, TE Herlihy, EB Nelson How does vermicomposted dairy manure protect plants from disease?
2008 CU Center for Life Science Enterprise First prize poster at the Public Engagement and Science Communication event hosted by the Cornell Center for Life Science Enterprise ALH Jack, TE Herlihy, EB Nelson Developing plant protection products from vermicomposted dairy manure
2007 OCIA Organic Crop Improvement Association – Student Research Scholarship
2006 CALS College of Agriculture and Life Science Andrew W. Mellon Student Research Grant
2004 Department of Crop and Soil Science MacDonald/Musgrave Graduate Student Award for Excellence
2003 CALS Office of Academic Programs Outstanding Teaching Assistant
1999 NSF-AIRE National Science Foundation Award for the Integration of Research and Education Fellowship Recipient
Elected and Appointed Offices
2004-2005 –Treasurer, Soil and Crop Sciences Graduate Student Association
2005-2006 – Treasurer, New World Agriculture and Ecology Group
2006-2008 – Secretary, New World Agriculture and Ecology Group
2010-ongoing – Member, Educational Materials Database Committee, Sustainable Agriculture Education Association
Volunteer Work
2003-2008 – Master Composter with Tompkins County Cornell Cooperative Extension
2006- 2008 – Compost co-coordinator at the Ithaca Community Garden
Professional Societies and Working GroupsInternational Society for Microbial Ecology
Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Disease
AAAS
American Phytopathological Society
Cornell University Managing Organic Residuals Program Work Team
Cornell University Organic Production and Marketing Program Work Team
Sustainable Agriculture Education Association
NWAEG International
Publications
Chen, M-H, ALH Jack, IC McGuire, EB Nelson (2012) Seed-colonizing bacterial communities associated with the suppression of Pythium seedling disease in a municipal biosolids compost. Phytopathology [online first]
Jack, ALH, Rangarajan, A, Sooksa-Nguan, T, Culman, S, & Thies, JE (2011) Organic nutrient management in tomato transplants: influence of amendments on rhizosphere bacterial communities after transplanting to field soil. Applied Soil Ecology 48(1): 94-101.
Jack, ALH & Nelson, EB (2008) Modification of seed exudates by seed-colonizing microbes from vermicompost alters pre-infection behavior of Pythium aphanidermatum zoospores. Phytopathology 98:6 S73 (meeting abstract)
Shelly, T, Villalobos, E and the students of the 1997 OTSUSAP. (2000) Buzzing bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Halictidae) on Solanum (Solanaceae): Floral choice and handling time track pollen availability. Florida Entomologist 83(2): 180-187.
Book chapters:
Jack, ALH (2010) The suppression of plant pathogens by vermicomposts. in "Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes and Environmental Management" Edwards, CA, Arancon, N, and Sherman, R eds. CRC Press Boca Raton, FL 604 p.
Jack, A.L.H. and J.E. Thies, (2006) Compost and vermicompost as amendments promoting soil health, in Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems, N.T. Uphoff, Editor. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL. p. 453-466.
Education:
Jack, ALHand Peters, SJ (2010) "A Sense of Communion" A Profile of Anu Rangarajan in "Democracy and Higher Education: Traditions and Stories of Civic Engagement" Peters, SJ Michigan State University Press, 400 p.
Peters, S.J., O'Connell, D.J., Alter, T.R., and Jack, A. L. H. eds. (2006) Catalyzing Change. Profiles of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators from Greene, Tompkins, and Erie Counties, NY. Cornell University Press