Biochemical and Genetic Requirements for Function of the Immune Response Regulator BOTRYTIS-INDUCED KINASE1 in Plant Growth, Ethylene Signaling, and PAMP-Triggered Immunity in Arabidopsis

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Kristin Laluk

Current Position: Post-doctoral Fellow at Colorado State University

Education: PhD, Purdue University; B.S., Arizona State University

Non-scientific Interests: Laughing, painting, playing volleyball

It was while pursuing my undergraduate degree that I became aware of the growing field of biotechnology, learning about innovations extending from plant-based vaccines to the production of human proteins in transgenic animals. From my coursework, I realized the potential impact genetic engineering can have on current and emerging worldwide challenges in agriculture. However, I also recognized the limitations surrounding its practical application and decided I wanted to contribute to basic plant research in the hopes that by increasing our fundamental knowledge the benefits of transgenic crops may one day be fully realized. I later became a graduate student and post-doctoral researcher for Dr. Mengiste at Purdue University studying the cellular and molecular factors mediating plant defense responses to necrotrophic fungal pathogens. My post-doctoral research was aimed at further defining the defense function of BIK1 which was previously found by other lab members to be a critical regulator of Arabidopsis immune responses.