Entomology PhD student earns honor for study of oxygen’s role in plant self-defense
By Sarah Cato
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- PhD student wins Entomology Society of America award
- Studying plant-insect interaction with aphids
- Fischer: “This is very humbling.”
(598 words)
(Newsrooms - With art https://flic.kr/p/29dE5tD)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Research into how plants combat aphid attack using a reactive form of oxygen has earned Arkansas entomology Ph.D. student Hillary Fischer honors from the Entomological Society of America.
Hillary Fischer
(Image courtesy of Hillary Fischer)
ESA presents the Lillian and Alex Feir Graduate Student Travel Award in Insect Physiology,
Biochemistry, or Molecular Biologyto graduate students working in those disciplines.
The group announced the award Aug. 21.
Fischer’s research aims to understand the role of singlet oxygen in plants for defense
against aphids. Singlet oxygen is produced during photosynthesis and can serve as
a signaling molecule for plant defense. Because singlet oxygen has a short half-life,
it is very difficult to study. Fischer plans to improve techniques used to study it
and showcase its role in signaling for aphid resistance.
Fischer is a member of the Plant-Insect Ecosystems section of ESA, but she was able
to win this award from the Physiology, Biochemistry, and Toxicology section of the
organization because of her use of molecular techniques. The award recognizes her
use of new technology to understand the physiology and biochemistry in plants.
“I’ve always only been in plant-insect ecosystems even though my research could fit
in other categories, and I like the idea of branching out and being affiliated with
different groups,” Fischer said.
It was Fischer’s adviser, entomology professor Fiona Goggin, who encouraged Fischer
to apply for the award, and she couldn’t be happier with her student’s success.
“I am very proud of Hillary’s accomplishments,” Goggin said. “She is a talented, hardworking
and creative student with a genuine passion for entomology and this award is well
deserved.”
Fischer said she has always looked up to her fellow entomologists and winning an award
in the field has been an irreplaceable experience.
“I feel very honored to receive this award,” she said. “There are people in my field
doing amazing things and to be honored amongst them is very humbling.”
Fischer recently brought home the President’s Prize at the National Entomological
Society of America meeting and the Robert T. Gast Award at the Southeastern Branch
ESA meeting, both for outstanding presentations of her research.
Before beginning her Ph.D. studies at the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food
and Life Sciences in Fayetteville, Fischer earned bachelor’s degrees in entomology
and plant biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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