The study was funded by the National Science Foundation and led by Grace Johnston, who conducted the research as a student. Johnston was recruited into Argueso\u2019s lab as an undergraduate biology student and wrote the paper as her master\u2019s thesis. She is now a research associate in the lab.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not know I wanted to do plant science,\u201d said Johnston, who credits Argueso\u2019s mentoring for her achievement and love of plant biology. \u201cBy the time I was done with my undergrad degree, we still didn\u2019t know enough about these plants, and I just couldn\u2019t let it go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnston received prestigious fellowships from the National Science Foundation and the American Society of Plant Biologists to support her work while earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a CSU research success story,\u201d Johnston said. \u201cCris took me on when I didn\u2019t know anything about science, and here we are eight years later, and we have the opportunity to actually impact food security.\u201d<\/p>\n
Argueso is passionate about inspiring young researchers like Johnston. Students from her lab have gone on to receive important national and international awards, and currently three undergraduate researchers are part of her team.<\/p>\n