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Jennifer Dean, Ph.D.
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Jennifer Dean, Ph.D.

  • Postdoctoral Scholar
507 Ag Sciences & Industries Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6699

Education:

  1. B.S. Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, 2000
  2. Ph.D. Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, 2008

Biography:

Department Focus Area:

Chemical Ecology

Research Interests:

My research focuses on the chemical ecology of plant-insect interactions, particularly as influenced by below-ground elements such as plant-associated microorganisms and soil nutrients. Using the legume-rhizobia mutualism as a model system, I am investigating the effects of microbe-induced changes to plant signaling and nutrition on the interactions between herbivores and plants.

Publications:

Dean, J.M., Mescher, M.C., and C.M. De Moraes.  2009.  Plant-rhizobia mutualism influences aphid abundance on soybean. Plant and Soil. In press.

Dean, J.M., and C.M. De Moraes. 2006. Effects of genetic modification of maize on herbivore-induced volatiles. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 32: 713-724.

Awards:

 

  • Alumni Association Dissertation Award, Penn State University (2008)
  • Selected to attend the NSF Pan American Advanced Studies Institute program on Tropical Chemical Biology in Tambopata, Peru (2008)
  • Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, National Science Foundation (2007)
  • President’s Prize Student Competition Award – Oral Presentation, Entomological Society of America (Section: Ecology and Behavior) (2007)
  • Ralph O. Mumma Award in Chemical Ecology (2006)
  • Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation (2004-2007)
  • University Graduate Fellowship, Pennsylvania State University (2002)