Current Lab Members
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Al Torrens-Martin '25 | Environmental Science and Policy major
[email protected] Hello, there! I'm Al and I stumbled across Professor Gersony’s work when taking her Plant Physiology class last spring semester, and have been obsessed with everything plant biology related ever since! I am particularly interested in forest ecophysiology and urban forestry, and dream of conducting research on my favorite tree, the white pine. I’m also very passionate about urban agriculture, and the implementation of equitably distributed green-space in all cities! Outside of the lab I like to spend my time reading, making art (including slowly familiarizing myself with the blog-sphere!), playing ultimate frisbee and watching tons of movies. |
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Avery Maltz '25 (he/him) | Biology major and Studio Art minor
[email protected] I’m Avery and I'm an Ada Comstock Scholar, a research assistant in the PLACE Lab, and a conservation intern at the Smith College Botanic Garden. My current research focus is on plant conservation and ecology, and I would like to study tree canopy conservation in the future. I was an artist for many years before becoming a student, and am now focusing on installation and socially engaged art while at Smith. In my spare time I like going for bike rides, geocaching, caring for my carnivorous plant collection, and walking my cat in a stroller. |
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Isabella Ivy '27 (she/her) | Environmental Science and Policy prospective major
[email protected] I’m Isabella and I’m a member of the AEMES program and the PLACE lab. I’m really passionate about the effects climate change has on disadvantaged communities and I want to focus on that type of activism in the future. I want to major in Environmental Science and Policy so I’m super excited to be in this lab! In my free time, I love to listen to music, try new foods, and knit very poorly 🙂 |
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Iz Thompson '24 (they/them) | Biology and Study of Women and Gender double major
[email protected] Hi! I’m Iz. I’m from Bainbridge Island, a predominantly white and wealthy community in Washington state. I’m passionate about plant physiology, disability justice, environmental justice, and queer theory. I especially love identifying connections between these fields. I also enjoy creating watercolor and collage pieces, reading, and most activities that involve sitting in the woods. After Smith, I plan to study the relationships between tree physiology, people, and climate, focusing on the accessible sharing of information through public-facing writing and art pieces. |
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Skarlet Rubi '24 (they/she) | Biology major and Neuroscience minor
[email protected] I’m Skarlet and I am passionate about plant physiology and the effects of climate change on the environment. I’m currently working on my Honors Thesis on plant functioning during drought stress for individuals with variable carbon stores. This project focuses on using model species to try and predict how certain plants will react to drought as a result of climate change. I am also interested in human biology and genetics and I hope to continue doing research after Smith. Outside of academics I enjoy listening to and playing music (I play the cello and I am currently learning to play guitar). I also enjoy baking and spending time with my two cats! |
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Teressa Alexander (she/her) | Research Associate
[email protected] I’m Teressa, a plant eco-physiologist from Trinidad and Tobago. I’m driven by my strong dedication to science, art & culture, and outreach work. I’m particularly passionate about studying fluid and cellular mechanics in plant response to drought stress with the goal of developing adaptation strategies in the face of climate change. In my spare time, I explore storytelling through photography, visual art, fashion and film encompassing the human experience through nature. |
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Marge Poma Alarcon (she/her) | Research Technician
[email protected] I’m Marge, a Smith alumna (Class of 2023; STEM Posse 5) and Research Technician of the PLACE Lab. I completed the Biology and Portuguese & Brazilian Studies double major and Environmental Concentration and have dreams of working alongside plants and people to understand how plants are being impacted by climate change. In my free time, I like to practice meditation, harvest vegetables from my garden, and help others learn English at ILI. |
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Malini MK (she/her) | Post-doctoral Researcher
[email protected] I’m Malini, a post-doc at the PLACE lab. I hold a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Throughout my years in graduate school, my research focused on subjecting rice plants to drought and high temperatures (all in the name of science!!). Now, at the PLACE lab, I’ve switched gears to studying how the Northeastern US trees deal with drought and cold stress. I aspire to work closely with plants and study their stress responses in different climates. Outside of research, I enjoy cooking, enjoy classical songs, and delve into interior decorations. I also enjoy interviewing science folks and writing science communication articles. |
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Professor Jess Gersony (she/her) | Principal Investigator
[email protected] Professor Gersony is a plant physiologist, artist, and educator. She studies how plants respond to the changing climate around them (see here). Specifically, she investigates how northeastern forests respond to drought, how shrubs in the Atacama desert in Chile thrive in the worlds driest desert and how arctic Alaskan plants are responding to climate change. She has poems exploring the natural world appearing in The Sycamore Review, Off the Coast (see here), and The Tide Rises (see here), and forthcoming in Willows Wept Review. She also is a tap dancer who has performed in professional companies in NYC, Philadelphia and Boston (see here), and has taught tap dancing to hundreds of students in the greater Philadelphia area. Lastly, she is passionate about supporting K-12 students in the public school system, collaborating with community college plant biologists and engaging with various stakeholders who work with northeastern forests. |
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Former Lab Members
Collaborators and Brainstormers
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Yoni Glagower, Conservation & Sustainability Director of Holyoke
Prof. Sage Franetovitch, Holyoke Community College Jack Hastings, PhD candidate at University of New Hampshire Samuel Zuckerman, PhD candidate at University of New Hampshire Prof. Camilo Villouta, University of Rhode Island Prof. Dawn Lemke, Alabama A&M University Dr. Cen Chen, Alabama A&M University Dr. Uri Hochberg, Volcani Institute, Israel Dr. Anju Manandhar, Purdue University Dr. Yakir Preisler, Post-doctoral Fellow, Harvard University Prof. Scott Ollinger, University of New Hampshire Kaitlin Baillargeon, MS student at University of New Hampshire Dr. Andy Ouimette, University of New Hampshire Dr. Matthew Vadeboncoeur, University of New Hampshire The PLACE lab is inspired by and created in loving memory of Dr. Richard E. Moon (right): Science Teacher and Life Mentor Extraordinaire. |
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