Benjamin Gerstner | Plant Polyploidy | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

 Dr . Benjamin Gerstner | Plant Polyploidy | Best Researcher Award

👨‍🏫Profile Summary

An accomplished evolutionary ecologist and educator with a Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico, specializing in polyploidy theory, population genetics, and eco-evolutionary theory. Extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development, and research, with leadership roles in scientific organizations and community service initiatives. Recognized with prestigious fellowships and awards, including the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Fellowship. Proficient in R, Python, and data analysis, with expertise in Adobe Illustrator and website design. A dedicated professional committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting diversity and inclusion in academia.

🌐 Professional Profiles

 

  1. Scopus Profile

📝Current Appointment

Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor School of Science Pennsylvania State University, Erie – The Behrend College
(2023 – Present)

🎓Education

Ph.D. Evolutionary Ecology University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM (2017 – 2023) Semester Abroad in Evolution, Ecology and Conservation Universidad de San Francisco de Quito Quito and San Cristobal, Ecuador (2016) B.S. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology University of Rochester Rochester, NY (2013 – 2017)

Teaching & Curricular Development Experience

Instructor: Genetic Analysis, Evolution, Introductory Biology Lab – PSUB (2023) Curriculum Development: Undergraduate Genetics Course – UNM (2021) Teaching Assistant: Cell and Developmental Biology & Genetics – UNM (2017 – 2021) Curriculum Development: Undergraduate Introductory Biology – UR (2016) Teaching Assistant (Head TA 2017): Principles of Biology II – UR (2015 – 2017) Instructor: EcoReps: Introduction to Leadership and Sustainability – UR (2014 – 2015)

🔍Research Interests

  • Polyploidy theory
  • Model building
  • Novel methodologies
  • Population genetics
  • Eco-evolutionary theory
  • Field-based observation reports
  • Plant-soil feedback

🔬Research Experience

Lead Scientist: USDA REEU with Dr. Michael Campbell – PSUB (2023) Graduate Research Assistant: Dr. Kenneth Whitney – UNM (2017 – 23) Undergraduate Research Assistant: Dr. Christian Rabeling Lab – UR (2014 – 17)

 

🌟Fellowships

Vice-President of Research: Zancada Fellowship – Head Fellow (2022 – 23) Ecological Society of America Graduate Student Policy Fellow (2022) National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow (2019 – 24) Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Fellow (2015)

🌈Leadership, Service & Work Experience

Board Member: Out to Innovate (2023) SABER D&I Committee Member: LGBTQ+ Special Interest Group Member (2023)
Secretary: Ecological Society of America Policy Section (2023 – Current) Board Member and Treasurer: Common Bond New Mexico Foundation (2020 – Current)

 

Technical Expertise

High Proficiency in R, Canvas 💻 Working knowledge in Python, SQL, Git, HTML, command line 💻🐍
High Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop 🎨 High Proficiency in website building, responsive design, and maintenance 🌐 High Proficiency in personal income tax preparation 💰💳

📚Manuscripts in Preparation

Troy K., Coburn K., Busch C., Gerstner, B.P., Gormally, C., Maloy J., et al. Methodological imprecision regarding gender/sex in biology education research demographics: from datafication, to critical conceptualization. CBE: Life Sciences Education Special Issue Granath A., Portman T., Cerrato J., Natvig D., Gerstner B.P., Mann M. A., Marquez R. Smith E., Rudgers J. How root-associated fungi respond to heat and osmotic stress. International Society of Microbial Ecology Journal

📚Top Noted Publication

  1. Title: Evidence for distance-dependent plant-soil microbe feedback effects in a tetraploid-hexaploid Larrea tridentata population
    • Authors: Gerstner B.P., Laport R., & Whitney K.D.
    • Year: In press
    • Journal: American Journal of Botany, Invited Special Issue on Polyploidy

 

  1. Title: Why so many polyploids? Accounting for stochasticity in formation rate of unreduced gametes lowers the perceived barriers to polyploid establishment
    • Authors: Gerstner B.P., Wearing H.J., & Whitney K.D.
    • Year: In press
    • Journal: Journal of Evolutionary Biology

 

  1. Title: Differentiation of rhizosphere fungal assemblages by host ploidy level in mixed-ploidy Larrea tridentata populations
    • Authors: Gerstner, B.P., Mann, M.A., Laport, R.G., and Whitney, K.D.
    • Year: 2023
    • Journal: Oikos
    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.09856
    • Special Issue: The Role of Whole Genome Duplication in Evolutionary Ecology

 

  1. Title: Exploring the impact of trait number and type on functional diversity metrics in real-world ecosystems
    • Authors: Ohlert T., Kimmel K., Avolio M., Chang C., Forrestel E., Gerstner B. P., Hobbie S., Komastu K., Reich P., Whitney K.
    • Year: 2022
    • Journal: PLoS ONE
    • Volume: 17
    • Issue: 8
    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272791

 

  1. Title: Decoupled evolution of mating biology and social structure in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants

 

  1. Title: SEV-LTER Plant Traits Database v1