I am Lauren Kalns, a second year Ph.D. student in entomology. Currently I am investigating the use of fungal endophytes in cotton as a potential control method against thrips and spider mites. I also plan to look at changes in the fungal endophyte community in cotton plants that have been treated with neonicotinoids and fungicides. Over the course of this semester my main goal is to gain a strong skill set in the techniques necessary to identify any endophytes I may encounter.
