Anne Bennion
PhD Student Researcher at International Max Planck Research School for Environmental, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology
PhD Student Researcher at International Max Planck Research School for Environmental, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology
I am currently a PhD student in Microbiology at the Internation Max Planck Research School in Marburg, Germany. My research focuses on the molecular and cellular reprogramming of rhizobia during infection of their leguminous plant hosts. More broadly, I am interested in plant-microbe interactions, nutrient cycling, symbiosis, and microbial metabolism. In my career I hope to increase our knowledge of rhizosphere interactions and use that knowledge to develop innovative solutions in sustainable agriculture, soil conservation, and bioremediation.
International Max Planck Research School for Environmental, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology
I am a student of the IMPRS-MIC program conducting research at the Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO) on rhizobial infection of their plant host. Specifically, I am studying how Sinorhizobium meliloti is reprogrammed in terms of cell proliferation, motility, and in the production of signaling molecules such as exopolysaccharide as it infects its host, Medicago truncatula. I use a variety of methods including fluorescent microscopy, microfluidics, molecular cloning, qPCR and other molecular techniques to investigate this interaction.
Marburg an der Lahn, Hesse, Germany
PhD Student Researcher
Max-Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology
https://www.linkedin.com/company/max-planck-institute-for-terrestrial-microbiology
I conducted natural products research in the Department of Biochemistry and Synthetic Metabolism, specifically helping to develop a fully enzymatic pathway for the biosynthesis of conventional and potentially novel polyketides from carboxylic acids. To accomplish this, I selected several acyl-CoA ligases with unique substrate specificities from different clades and tested their enzymatic activity on a wide range of carboxylic acid substrates. I used LCMS to observe the formation of acyl-CoA product over time at varying physiological conditions and spectrophotometry to determine their Michaelis-Menten kinetics. I then coupled the most promising candidates with an acyl-CoA oxidase and enoyl-CoA carboxylase/reductase, demonstrating the ability to enzymatically generate a library of atypical and chemically diverse alpha-carboxylated acyl-CoA extender units. After this initial screening, I used Py-Mol to identify residues of the most promising candidates that could be re-engineered in a rational design approach to increasing substrate promiscuity. I frequently performed molecular cloning, protein purification via fast protein and gravity column liquid chromatography, SDS-PAGE, PCR, etc. I presented my results in the poster session at the joint conference of German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DHGM) and the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM) conference in Leipzig, Germany in March, 2020.
Marburg an der Lahn, Hesse, Germany
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Research Intern
Brigham Young University
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brigham-young-university
I work in a microbial ecology lab studying biological treatment of wastewater. Specifically, I study the pretreatment of waste activated sludge with Caldicellulosirupter bescii as a method for increasing the efficiency of anaerobic digestion for methane fuel production. I am investigating the growth of these thermophilic anaerobes on different growth media using spectrophotometry and flow cytometry. I am also assisting in assessing the effectiveness of both pretreatment and anaerobic digestion by measuring changes in total suspended, volatile, and fixed solids, chemical oxygen demand, pH, redox potential, and concentrations of oxygen, ammonia, acetate, and soluble reactive phosphorus before and after treatment.
Provo, Utah Area
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Research Assistant in Water Quality and Biofuel
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology
https://www.linkedin.com/company/max-planck-institute-for-chemical-ecology
I analyzed the physiological processes regulated by a signaling hormone, Jasmonic acid (JA), in Nicotiana attenuata. I used analytical chemistry techniques such as mass spectrometry and chromatography, and molecular biology techniques such as western blots, microscopy, and protein activity assays. I used Excel to statistically analyze my results and Adobe Illustrator to create clear visualization of my data. I prepared and edited manuscripts, and ultimately co-authored a paper that is published in the Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. I synthesized my work in a final presentation for the Institute which developed my ability to speak intelligibly about scientific research.
Jena Area, Germany
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Chemical Ecology Research Intern
Brigham Young University
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brigham-young-university
I used immunohistochemistry techniques and confocal microscopy to visualize the build-up of amyloid-beta plaque in brain tissue due to Alzheimer's disease
Provo, Utah Area
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Confocal Microscopy Specialist
University of Utah, Department of Biomedical Informatics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/udbmi
Digitalized DNA samples in the lab data base, prepared pedigree charts and selected subjects for a genome-wide association study of colon cancer
Salt Lake City, Utah
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Lab Aid and Research Assistant
Bachelor's degree
I study molecular biology because I am passionate about understanding the cellular processes that keep us and our ecosystems healthy. I am curious about the connectedness of living organisms. For example, I am fascinated by the way microbes in lakes, oceans, soil, and plants affect the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe. I love research and have conducted research in a broad range of subjects including plant-herbivore interactions, harmful algal blooms, biodiversity of fresh waster insects, and biological treatment of wastewater. I find the research process to be fulfilling, exciting, and challenging and hope to pursue a PhD in Microbiology or a related field.
Molecular Biology
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Brigham Young University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/brigham-young-university/
3.97
Skyline High
A field study of Nicotiana attenuata revealed that phytohormone signaling mediates florivore defense and pollinator attraction. We showed that silencing jasmonate signaling resulted in lower levels of nectar and benzyl acetone in flowers (two pollinator-attractive traits) and increased attack of flower buds by a suite of native herbivores.
Jasmonate signaling makes ﬂowers attractive to pollinators and repellent to ﬂorivores in nature
Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jipb.12607
Brigham Young University
Magna cume laude
Utah State University
2nd place prize in the Spring Runoff Conference Poster Competition
Wrote scripts explaining cell processes and collaborated with an artist and video editor create videos that were incorporated into cell biology curriculum.
CellClips Videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT-dBnwTxltImDAUI_Yz57Q
Refugee Action Network
https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-latino-students-association
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Office tasks for refugee non-profit, transported donations for refugees, tutored refugee students
https://www.linkedin.com/in/etheline-ting-223bab172
Los Angeles, CA
Etheline Ting
Fashion Design Bachelor Degree
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizafields
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Eliza Fields
Design Assistant at Soft Haus
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andra-gonzalez-69998111a
East Chicago, IN
Andra Gonzalez
Assistant Manager at Follett Higher Education Group
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycroushore
Claremont, CA
Amy Croushore
Textile and Surface Pattern Designer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahodgers
New York, NY
Hannah Odgers
Associate Graphics Development Coordinator at Victoria's Secret
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-fuentes-274a92196
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Sophia Fuentes
Textile Designer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-wigman332
Los Angeles, CA
Olivia Wigman
Junior Product Designer  at Magenta Inc
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmadridart
Newport Beach, CA
Joshua M.
Digital Design | Art Direction
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivygalactic
Los Angeles, CA
Ivy Galanis
Art Department
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-lacno
Los Angeles, CA
Jamie Lacno
Student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellie-smith-345807151
Los Angeles, CA
Ellie Smith
Apparel and Graphic Designer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenna-ernst-268a0939
Grantsville, UT
Brenna Ernst
Professionally trained genealogist specializing in United States and England Research
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-saunders
Raleigh, NC
Carrie Saunders
Lab Analyst I at The Duke Human Vaccine Institute
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-gudmundsson-0aa0ba17b
Seattle, WA
Sabina Gudmundsson
MS, CGC Genetic Counselor
https://in.linkedin.com/in/aashita-takkar-39a10a19b
Delhi, India
Aashita Takkar
Certified Genetic Counselor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-powell-82804645
Owings Mills, MD
Ryan Powell
Co-founder of Manta Biofuel - Scientist, Entrepreneur, Farmer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-bennion-8148601a5
Santa Monica, CA
Anne Bennion
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-bennion-6bba6718
United States
Anne Bennion
English Language Teacher
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-bennion
Springfield, MO
Anne Bennion
Accounting Intern at Hagan, Tucker, Schmitt & Gintz LLC
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United States
Anne Bennion
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