Chicago Botanic Garden Spring 2020

20 chicagobotanic.org Lynnaun Johnson Ph.D., June 2019 For Johnson, the recipient of the presti- gious Science Communication Fellow- ship from the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the opportunity to work on Alzheimer’s research came as an exciting, if unexpected, transition from his plant-based focus as a gradu- ate student. In his current postdoctoral appointment at Rush University, John- son works within the Human Cell Modeling Group to model Alzheimer’s disease within stem cells. is research lies at the foundation of a broader ef- fort to understand how the disease can be prevented, managed with drug ther- apies, and ultimately cured. ough Johnson’s research focuses on the genetic material of human popula- tions, not plants, it is intimately con- nected to his training as a doctoral stu- dent. Applying molecular methods, including DNA sequencing, Johnson explored the genetic basis for the sym- biotic relationship between certain spe- cies of mycorrhizal fungi and two tree- growing orchid species: the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) and va- nilla. “My sequencing skills come into play because I’m trying to look at the ge- netic di erences among people who have passed away with Alzheimer’s,” Johnson said. “I valued the program because I was able to study species of popular and scienti c interest and pur- sue grants and fellowships to advance my career.” Rebecca Tonietto Master’s, June 2009; Ph.D., June 2015 Tonietto (left in photo) spent much of her graduate experi- ence studying native bees. As a master’s student, she investigat- ed the diversity of bee communi- ties on Chicago green roofs and in parks and prairies. Keen interest in the subject led her to explore it at a broader scale in the doctoral program, where she evaluated the e ect of prairie restoration approaches, such as pre- scribed burning, on bee communities. is research was integral to her selec- tion for the periostitis David H. Smith Conservation Research Postdoctoral Fellowship and, eventually, opened a path to her current role as an assistant professor at the University of Michi- gan-Flint. While teaching in the department of biology, she continues her research on bees and other pollinators, applying her knowledge to community engage- ment initiatives, such as the Porch Project on Flint’s east side. With 30 pollinator-friendly gardens planted to date, the project aims to foster neigh- borliness and civic pride through the design and creation of home gardens. “ e plant biology and conservation program allows all students to follow their passions. I had the freedom to en- gage with nonpro ts working with the community, such as Project Explora- tion’s Sisters for Science,” she said. “ at has been instrumental to my de- velopment as a scientist and given me a pathway to include social and environ- mental justice issues in my approach to conservation.” Learn more chicagobotanic.org/research/training 90% of alumni are working in positions in a field related to biology/conservation From page 19