marsh grass illustration

JENNIFER SUMMERS

PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

University of Tennessee - Knoxville

National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program Policy Fellow

EDUCATION

Furman University, SC Biology B.A. 2013
Tulane University, LA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. 2015-2017
U of TN, Knoxville Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Ph.D. 2017-2020

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

  1. Summers, J. L., Bernik, B., Saunders, C. J., McLachlan, J. S., & Blum, M. J. (2018). A century of genetic variation inferred from a persistent soil‐stored seed bank. Evolutionary Applications, 11(9), 1715-1731.
  2. Ware, I.M., Fitzpatrick, C.R., Senthilnathan, A., Bayliss, S.L.J., Beals, K. K., Mueller, L.O., Summers, J.L., Wooliver, R.C., Van Nuland, M.E., Kinnison, M.T., Palkovacs, E.P., Schweitzer, J.A., Bailey, J.K. (2018). Feedbacks link ecosystem ecology and evolution across spatial and temporal scales: Empirical evidence and some future directions. Functional Ecology, 3(1), 31-42.
  3. Bealls, K., Moore, J.A., Kivlin, S.N., Bayliss, S.L.J., Lumibao, C.Y., Moorhead, L.C., Patel, M., Summers, J.L., Ware, I.M., Bailey, J.K., Schweitzer, J.A. Predicting plant-soil feedback in the field: competitive interactions may reduce plant growth more than stress or disturbance. In press at Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution.

SCI-COMM PUBLICATIONS

  1. Summers, J. (June 13, 2018) How to mentor undergraduates as a postgraduate, and why it’s important [Blog post]. Retrieved from: http://blogs.nature.com/naturejobs/tag/jenn-summers/
  2. Summers, J. (October 31, 2018) What zombie plants can teach us [Blog post]. Retrieved from: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/what-zombie-plants-can-teach-us/
  3. Summers, J. (Nov. 25, 2018) Ask A Scientist: What would life look like if evolution wasn’t occurring? [Blog post]. Retrieved from: http://www.utdailybeacon.com/opinion/columns/ask-a-scientist-what-would-life look-like-if-evolution/article_c1b2a5a8-f0b7-11e8-ba40-b313892e7507.html
  4. Summers, J. (Apr. 3, 2019) Ask A Scientist: Why is more not better when it comes to caffeine? [Blog post]. Retrieved from: http://www.utdailybeacon.com/opinion/columns/ask-a-scientist-why-is-more-not-better when-it/article_c740c73e-5642-11e9-b661-fb68183f283f.html
  5. Summers, J. (Sept. 6, 2019) Promoting diversity in the sciences: Frances Arnold and Beyond [Online article]. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/stem-and-culture-chronicle/promoting-diversity-in-the-sciences frances-arnold-and-beyond-a84fe514c9b3

RESEARCH AND WORK EXPERIENCE

  1. National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program Policy Fellow (Sept 2020 – Sept 2021)
    • Hosted by the RESTORE Council based in New Orleans, LA and mentored by Dr. Jessica Henkel b. Responsible for data management and guidance for grant recipients working on coastal restoration and mitigation projects
    • Conducted science reviews for grant recipients across the Gulf coast
    • Worked with state, federal and non-profit agencies to facilitate cooperative and coordinated action to address restoration objectives
  2. Field work, lab work and data analysis for Schoenoplectus americanus seed bank study (Jan 2016-present)
    • Managed dataset of suite of traits measured for > 1000 individual plants
    • Managed and analyzed microsatellite, SNP, RNAseq, and whole genome data
    • Collaborated with partner researchers at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Dr. J. Patrick Megonigal), University of Notre Dame (Dr. Jason McLachlan), and Bryn Mawr College (Dr. Thomas Mozdzer)
    • Conducted population genetic and genomic analyses using: R (Mantel tests, repeated measures ANOVA), Structure, Microsatellite Analyzer (MSA), GenePop, GenAlEx, Stacks
    • Planned & conducted field work at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Edgewater, MD)
    • Managed field work: collecting soil cores, planning and implementing field experiment, measuring plants biweekly, taking tissue samples for genomics
    • Lab work: seed recovery, optimization of seed germination, plant propagation in greenhouse h. Designed and conducted greenhouse experiment exposing plants to simulated sea level rise i. Collaborated in the design and implementation of large-scale collaborative field experiment at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Summer 2019)
    • Analyses for project on Olney’s bulrush:
      • Using R to perform ANOVAs, regression and non-parametric (e.g. GLMMs, ordination such as PCA) tests on trait data measured
      • Using ArcGIS to develop maps demonstrating patterns of genetic relatedness & migration
      • Ploidy estimation using flow cytometry (Summer 2017)
      • Genome sequencing and analysis (JGI CSP grant, Fall 2018)
      • Transcriptomics/RNAseq analysis (Summer 2018 – Summer 2019)
      • ddRAD and SNP calling, population genomics (Spring – Fall 2019)
  3. Intern at Oak Ridge National Lab (Summer 2019 – Winter 2019)
    • Worked under Dr. David Weston and Dr. Travis Lawrence in the Biosciences Division at ORNL
    • Honed skills in Python, shell scripting, best practices for bioinformatics
    • Analyzed transcriptomics data de novo: data cleaning and trimming, assembly, identification of novel transcripts, differential gene expression analysis
    • Learned pipelines used to analyze and make comparisons across Sphagnum genus
  4. Hawaiian freshwater stream endemic fish and invasive aquatic species study (March - April 2016)
    • Assisted with collection and processing of aquatic invasive species in the freshwater streams of Oahu, Hawai’i for two one-month field trips
    • Collaborated with 4-man team and Hawaii’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) to capture endemic and invasive species via electrofishing and hand-netting
    • Identified, sorted and preserved thousands of fish and managed data entry and organization
    • Analyzed and synthesized results given DAR and Department of Defense stakeholder needs to determine best practices for management of invasive species (adaptive management)
  5. Northern Pike (Esox lucius) behavioral study on effects of hydrodams on fish stress, NSERC HydroNet Network, University of Montréal (June 2013 – August 2013)
    • Worked in remote northern Ontario studying the effects of dams on stress and behavior of Northern Pike
    • Angling for fish specimens and assisting in radio-tagging and tracking of fish, data management
  6. Sustainable development summary for Xela, Guatemala, Sustainable Development for Guatemala (DESGUA), Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (June 2012 – August 2012)
    • Contributed to NGO's primary literature sources about sustainable agriculture and traditional Mayan agriculture for popular education of local youth
    • Co-founder of a city-wide sustainable business organization

RELEVANT WORKSHOPS, SKILLS AND GRADUATE COURSES

  1. Adaptive Management Workshop, NIMBioS, Fall 2020
  2. Python coding seminar, Oak Ridge National Lab, June 2019
  3. Joint Genome Institute Annual Meeting & DOE Kbase Workshops, March 2019
  4. Introduction to Modelling Workshop, NIMBioS, October 2018
  5. Climate Adaptation Science Center Summer Intensive Workshop (Adaptive Management), August 2018
  6. Search for Selection Workshop, NIMBioS, June 2018
  7. R for Data workshop, Nicholls State University, Summer 2016
  8. Ecological Analysis Course (R programming), Fall 2016
  9. Wetlands Ecology Course, Fall 2016
  10. Introduction to GIS Course, Summer 2016
  11. Math Models in Ecology and Evolution Course, Spring 2016
  12. Fluent in French, Haitian Kreyol
  13. Conversant in Spanish

INVITED TALKS AND ACCEPTED PRESENTATIONS

  1. Invited seminar for Furman University Biology Methods course, Fall 2020
  2. Poster at Regional Meeting of Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, November 14, 2019
  3. Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Aug 13, 2019
  4. Speaker at Tremont Young Women in Science Camp, Summer 2019
  5. Graduate Student Seminar Talk, Fall 2018
  6. UTK EEB Recruitment Weekend Lightning Talk, Spring 2018
  7. Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Aug 2017
  8. Remote Sensing & GIS Geoinformatics & Geostatistics Conference presenter, Aug 2016
  9. SEC Women and Gender Studies Conference presenter, Fall 2012
  10. Duke Endowment Conference on Sustainable Agriculture presenter, Fall 2012
  11. Carolina Farm Stewards Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Fall 2012
  12. Organic Growers' School Sustainable Agriculture Conference, Spring 2013
  13. Guest lecturer in Furman Political Ecology course, presentation of research on Upstate SC, Spring 2013

RESEARCH AWARDS AND FUNDING

  • National Academy of Sciences Gulf Research Program Policy fellowship (Summer 2020 - $60,000)
  • National Science Foundation INTERN Grant (Spring 2019 - $20,000)
  • University of Tennessee Graduate School Professional Development Grant ($1000)
  • 2018 Outstanding Publication by a Graduate Student (UTK EEB Dept Award)
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Student Organization Travel Grant, 2019 ($300)
  • Student Faculty Research Grant (Fall 2017 – UTK, $5000)
  • EEB Departmental Research Grant (Spring 2017 – Tulane, $1200)
  • Teaching Assistant of the Year Award for Upper Level Course, Tulane (2016, 2017)
  • Humanities Council SC public research grant for research on Redcliffe Plantation in SC (2015, $1100)
  • Furman Achiever Scholarship for academic merit (2009-2013, $40,000)
  • Sirrine Scholarship for academic merit, SC State Award (2009-2013, $4,000)
  • Palmetto Fellows Scholarship for academic merit, SC State Award (2009-2013, $16,000)
  • SC State Tuition Grant (2009-2013, $2000)
  • Furman Advantage Summer Research Grant (Summer 2012, $2000)
  • Elizabeth Thackston Taylor Award for Excellence in Botany (May 2013)
  • Finalist for Furman University's Donaldson-Watkins Medal for General Excellence (May 2013)

UNDERGRADUATE MENTORING

  1. Students mentored (Total: 14)
    • Tulane University Blake Langenbach, Shayna Ross
    • University of Tennessee Knoxville Dailee Metts, Lee Gore, Claire Elbon, Diego Razura, Hannah Evans, Christina Cho, Emma Ervin, Harley Duncan, Jeremy Westbrook, Benjamin Effinger, Holly Whited, Jessica Borden
  2. Mentoring Workshops / Trainings
    • WiSTAR / Pipeline for Women in STEM: best practices for mentors and mentees (2019)
    • University of Tennessee Ecology and Evolutionary Bio Graduate student mentoring training (2017)
  3. Funding for Undergraduate Students
    • University of TN Knoxville Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2020 (H. Duncan) $1750
    • University of TN Knoxville Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2018 (D. Metts, L. Gore) $1750
    • University of TN Knoxville Summer Research Fellowship, 2018 (L. Gore) $1750

SYNERGISTIC ACTIVITIES

  1. Vice President of University of Tennessee Knoxville Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate Student Organization (Summer 2018 – Summer 2019)
    • Organized monthly meetings centered around professional development for graduate students
    • Managed budgets and organized social events for graduate students
    • Advocated for graduate student opinions and rights within the department
    • Represented EEB at the Graduate Student Senate as a Senator
  2. Participant and Writer for the National Public Radio Online SciComm Community
    • Submit publications for review and adhere to deadlines
    • Participate in online forum sharing opportunities and answering sci-comm related questions
    • Peer review the sci-comm publications of others
  3. EKEE Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Graduate student outreach organization at the University of Tennessee Knoxville
    • Developed modules to engage kindergarten through middle school students in scientific inquiry through the Boys and Girls Club
    • Organize public lectures on scientific topics
    • Visit local classrooms to give seminars on science and research
  4. Safe Zone Advisory Board Member – Pride Center at University of Tennessee Knoxville
    • Advisory Board formed to steer the re-establishment of the Safe Zone Training program at the University of Tennessee for allies of the LGBTQIA+ community
    • Attended regular meetings and contributed to discussion of organization and material c. Served on an outreach committee to plan and carry out advertising for safe zone training
  5. GiST – Girls in Science and Technology at Tulane University
    • Designed modules for day-long camp for lower income young women from the New Orleans area to engage in science and learning activities
    • Modules: wildlife footprint traps, fish morphology, wetland diversity
  6. Stats Lunch organizer for graduate students at Tulane University
    • Developed and organized a semester-long lunch seminar on statistics for graduate students in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
    • Covered discussions of Bayesian statistics, ordination, and regression
  7. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Grad-Undergraduate Mentoring Program at the University of Tennessee Knoxville
    • Mentored four undergraduates majoring the sciences at UTK through weekly meetings, professional development, and discussion of future prospects and options

WRITING / COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOPS AND COURSEWORK

  1. University of Tennessee Knoxville Seminars and Workshops
    • Ecological Society of America Communicating Science One-Day Workshop (2020)
    • Teaching and Learning Center Workshop on Facilitating Active Learning in STEM (2020)
    • Summer Teaching Institute for Scientific Teaching, five-day course (2019)
    • Seminar by Dr. Mica Estrada: The Influence of Kindness and Community in Broadening Participation in STEM Careers (2019)
    • Community Engagement Seminar Series: Best Practices in Community Engagement (2020)
    • Conference on Community Engagement in Knoxville Tennessee, attendee (2019)
  2. Tulane University Seminars and Workshops
    • Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching Reading Group (2015-2017): read books like Creating Cultures of Thinking, The Slow Professor, What the Best College Teachers Do, and Small Teaching which focused on clear communication and community building, skills that translate and are useful and applicable beyond the classroom
    • EBIO-7010 Processes of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: course on developing grant applications for the National Science Foundation and writing of effective “elevator talks” for efficient and clear communication of research goals to broad audience

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  1. University of Tennessee Knoxville Graduate Teaching Assistant (8/2017-5/2018)
    • BIO 240 Genetics Discussion
  2. Tulane University Graduate Teaching Assistant (8/2016-05/2017)
    • EBIO 3080 Processes of Evolution Discussion
    • EBIO 3180 Plants and Human Affairs Lab Manager
  3. Centre de Formation Fritz Lafontant (CFFL), Corporant, Haiti (9/2013 – 8/2014)
    • Taught courses in natural sciences / introductory biology at this rural community college
    • Taught Beginner and Advanced English
    • Served as liaison and translator for visiting funders (e.g. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID)
    • Managed social media presence for CFFL (Facebook, Twitter) with multimedia posts
  4. Intern at Jenks Farmer Plantsman / Researcher on Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site (Beech Island, SC) (2014-2015)
    • Collaborated with South Carolina State Parks and various stakeholders to develop pamphlet on Redcliffe Plantation’s historical property layout and land use
    • Facilitated and organized landscaping projects
    • Managed customer orders for flowers, produced weekly email blasts, maintained blog on farm
    • Guest on podcast discussing cultural importance of gardens, Gardenland by Jennifer Wren Atkinson: https://jenksfarmer.com/podcast/
  5. Furman University Organic Farm, Greenville SC (8/2012 - 5/2013) - Farm Research Assistant
    • Managed Furman University farmer’s market weekly
    • Created informational pamphlets and social media posts on growing techniques
  6. Furman Housing Office Greenville, SC (8/2012 -5/2013) - Freshman Resident Advisor
  7. FUnet Online News for Furman University, Greenville, SC (11/2009 - 05/2013) - Student Writer
    • Created online video highlighting newly built greenway in Greenville, South Carolina
    • Maintained regular posts for social media of FUnet
  8. Michelin North America Greenville, SC (5/2011 - 8/ 2011) - Media Intern
    • Developed a newsletter template for Engineering Department at Michelin, Greenville, SC
    • Wrote and produced content summarizing engineering news and developments
    • Distributed newsletter and maintained listserv

REFERENCES

  1. Brian O’Meara, academic advisor, University of Tennessee Knoxville | bomeara@utk.edu
  2. David J. Weston, committee member, Oak Ridge National Lab staff sc ientist | westondj@ornl.gov
  3. Susan Kalisz, committee member, University of Tennessee Knoxville | skalisz@utk.edu