PRI Celebrates the First Cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows Embarking on New Ventures
The Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) proudly announces that its first cohort of postdoctoral research fellows is moving on to new and exciting roles after three transformative years. These talented plant scientists—Drs. Daniel Anstett, Brittni Kelley, and Stephanie Schmiege—have made significant contributions to plant resilience research and are now set to continue their impactful work in new positions.
Dr. Daniel Anstett has accepted a role as an assistant professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University, where he will establish his own lab. During his tenure as a PRI fellow, Daniel was co-advised with Drs. Lowry and Wetzel (prior PRI faculty member who left MSU), focusing on evolutionary ecology. Reflecting on his journey, Daniel emphasizes the importance of determination, noting that his seven years as a postdoc taught him that good science takes time. He fondly recalls helping with the Lowry lab switchgrass harvest, hilariously tackling the enormous plants in order to tie them together. Professionally, he values the mentorship he received, which helped him secure his dream faculty job. Daniel hopes to foster an environment similar to that of PRI in his own lab, saying, “I envision my lab to be an interdisciplinary space for trainees from different academic and personal backgrounds to meet and work on innovative climate change research together.” Daniel's advice to aspiring researchers is straightforward: "Don't give up! If you really want that faculty job, go for it."
Dr. Brittni Kelley is transitioning to a position as an instructor of microbiology at Athens Technical College. At PRI, she researched microbiology in the Lebeis and Day (prior PRI faculty member who left MSU) labs. Brittni appreciates PRI’s co-mentoring aspect, which allowed her to gain experience across various labs. "My time at PRI has given me the opportunity to expand my research questions and a greater appreciation for applied science," she noted. Brittni adds that PRI taught her the importance of collaboration and asking for help when you need it, which are crucial for scientific growth. Brittni's memorable moments include organizing the inaugural PRI All-Hands Retreat and presenting during PRI Networking Hour, which she says helped her build confidence. Brittni encourages new researchers to remain open to fresh ideas and techniques, saying, “Your research can start in one direction, but if you are willing to try new things, it can take you in exciting new directions.”
Dr. Stephanie Schmiege will join Union College as an assistant professor of biological sciences in January 2025 after working at the University of Michigan Institute of Global Change Biology. Stephanie worked in the Sharkey, Walker (MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory), and Way (Australian National University) labs, studying plant physiological responses to climate change. Stephanie appreciates the diverse research methods she learned at PRI, making her a more versatile scientist. She is particularly excited to continue her research in the Arctic exploring the effects of environmental stress on tundra plant respiration. Grateful for her mentorship under Tom Sharkey and Berkley Walker, Stephanie looks forward to working with students of her own to spark interest in plant resilience efforts in the next generation of scientists. Her advice to incoming researchers is, “Ask tons of questions! Your colleagues and collaborators have a wealth of information and wisdom to offer. Take the time to build those connections!”
The first cohort of postdoctoral fellows exemplifies PRI’s mission to foster innovative research and collaboration in plant resilience. The PRI community celebrates the achievements of Daniel, Brittni, and Stephanie and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors!
