Talking about my research

Question 1

What would be your first extramural grant proposal, including the target agency?
What funding sources are you aware of that might support your future research?

Answer 1

In my first extramural grant proposal I aim to explore the complex relationships between root traits and the provisioning of ecosystem services, particularly carbon storage. Our current knowledge of the mechanisms behind belowground carbon allocation and changes in the environment and management strategies falls short of policy and management needs and stands out as a research priority. This project has potential for funding because of the novelty of the proposal and its focus on climate-ready and sustainable agricultural practices.
Target agencies would be:
NSF (Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER))
HFSP (Human frontier Science program) Research Grants (Research Grants - Early Career)

Question 2

What are your plans for your research program?

What are your research plans?

Answer 2

My research goal at Fort Hays University is to explore the complex relationships between plant-soil feedbacks and the provisioning of ecosystem services.
(i) build a database of below ground traits of species found in prairies and savannas at the xxx through literature review and field research; (ii) assess how acquisitive (fine roots) and nonacquisitive (thick roots) belowground compartments relate to aboveground plant biomass and how this relationship changes in response to extreme climatic events and different management strategies, and (iii) model the dynamics of storage compounds at the individual and community level (type and concentration of carbohydrates) in response to environment and management strategies

Question 3

How do you see your research fitting within our department and what we already do?

Question 4

How would you incorporate others in your research?

Question 5

What plans do you have for future research?

Question 6

With whom might you collaborate in our department?

Question 7

What types of interdisciplinary research might you do?

Answer 7

plant-microorganism/animal interactions, plant-soil interaction, data analysis, education

Question 8

In what ways might you include undergraduates in your research?

Answer 8

• summer research internship
• regular research internship
• find financial support ( US National Science Foundation offers a Research Experiences for Undergraduates programme. Universities, foundations and academic societies might also offer grants to cover your travel expense to various conferences.)

Question 9

What are your research strengths/weaknesses?

Answer 9

strengths: collaborative (interdisciplinary research, I have worked with researchers from diverse cultural background)

Question 10

What resources, technology, equipment, etc. do you need to do your research?

Answer 10

• Dissecting microscope (Stereo or stereoscopic microscope)
• Apropriate are for washing root material
• scanner
• softwares
• lab with tables for root sorting
• Refrigerators for root storage
• Digital Analytical Balance

Access to lab facilities:

• soil carbon lab
• herbarium
• green house