A Passion for Undergraduate Research
University of Kentucky junior Lesley Jaye Mann is not your typical student. Born and raised in Calhoun, Ky., Mann graduated from high school a year earlier than her fellow classmates, and came to UK because she was seeking a college that had something different to offer her.
"I chose UK because of the diverse opportunities it has for its students," the agricultural biotechnology major says. "Here, I knew I could enjoy the inherent benefits of the university's large size and the small liberal arts college feel of the Honors Program. Plus the level of advising and devotion of all the faculty to the agricultural biotechnology program is unmatched. I truly feel individually known and supported by the College of Agriculture."
As a freshman, Mann quickly became involved in agricultural research, which has now become the focus of her UK career, and her passion as well.
"Spring semester of my freshman year, I took a course that introduced me to university research," says Mann. "Then my research career really took off when Evie Russell, an amazing person who works for the Office of eUreKa! (Experiences in Undergraduate Research and Kreative Activities), helped me find a great lab and funding to do research during the summer after my freshman year. eUreKa! has been supporting me in some capacity ever since."
Last semester, Mann was named a 2008 Beckman Scholar along with junior Clay Turner. The scholarship is providing her with $19,300 over 14 months to support her research project, titled "Gene Expression of Endophytic Fungi during Benign Plant Colonization and Stromata Development." She has been working with her faculty mentor Christopher Schardl, professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, in his lab for almost two years now, studying the gene expression of the endophyte in different plant tissues.
"Working closely with a distinguished research professor constantly challenges and inspires me," Mann says. "Dr. Schardl's mentoring has prepared me for the Beckman Scholars program and will continue to help me become a better scholar."
"Initially, I was drawn to biological research because I loved the lab setting. The challenge, novelty, and potential of research to make a difference in people's lives has kept me engaged. My hometown is agriculturally focused, so many of my community members and definitely the local economy have the potential to benefit from research on grass endophytes, even my individual project. I see this as my way to give back to the community that has given me so much."
Mann's activities outside of her project include the Society for the Promotion of Undergraduate Research (SPUR), the Honors Program and the Chellgren Fellows Program. She recently won the 2008 Raymond Betts Crystal Award for Service and was named a 2007-2008 College of Agriculture Outstanding Senior. She has also participated in the UK Showcase for Undergraduate Scholars, National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), and is a National Merit Finalist.
