I started my career in plant genetics at UC Berkeley working with floral morphology genes in monocots, and characterizing the pathway for salicylic acid biosynthesis. Currently, I am a PhD candidate in Jennifer Nemhauser’s lab. I use synthetic biology techniques to answer questions about the evolution of plant developmental responses. Specifically, I have recently characterized the functions of plant auxin receptors in maize using a yeast synthetic auxin response circuit, comparing it to auxin signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. I am now using auxinic herbicides to better understand the divergence of auxin function between monocots and eudicots.