INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF FOLIAR FUNGAL SYMBIONTS IN FACILITATING DROUGHT TOLERANCE FOR PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII AND POPULUS TRICHOCARPA TREE SPECIES

Project Goal 1: Examine the extent to which foliar endophytic fungi confer drought stress tolerance for two tree species native to the Pacific Northwest, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and the black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa).1. Design experiments that synthesizeguidance from stakeholders and mentors.2. Conduct two large greenhouse experiments, one with P. trichocarpa and the other with P. menziesii.This includes taking plant physiological data prior to and during a drought event, and collecting foliar tissue to sequence the fungal communities associated with each host seedling.4. Execute lab tasks associated withDNA sequencing of foliar fungal communities from these experiments.5. Process sequencing results through a computational pipeline.6. Work through data analysis and write up the manuscripts associated with these studies.Project Goal 2: Engage relevant communities, stakeholders, and undergraduate students with this project throughout its duration, to maximize the impact of this study and itsfindings.1. Meet regularly with my primary mentor, stakeholders, and collaborating mentors throughout the two years.2.Mentor at least two undergraduate studentsinterested in microbes and sustainable agriculture.3. Present the findings to relevant local communities, including my lab group, the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest community at monthly meetings and stakeholders from the timber industry.4. Present the findings at national conferences, including at the Mycological Society of America - Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America - Annual Meeting, and the Long Term Ecological Research - All Scientists Meeting.