Cheryl S. Caster Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Wilmington, De

Develop enabling technologies for mitochondrial genome editing of plants

Newark, De

• Propagate and grow numerous weed and crop species from seed and prepare them for research screens. • Oversee seamless care of Crop Protection research plants of all kinds for the entire greenhouse complex through supervision of Weekend Plant Care Supervisor. • Interact with internal customers to understand changing needs and requirements for research plants.• Conduct propagation experiments to optimize growth and usability of plant materials going into research tests. Analyze, interpret and present research results and mentor other staff members on their research projects.• Develop methods to improve quality of propagation facilities and processes. • Drafted plant propagation protocols for group’s new quality management system.

Wilmington, Delaware

Led teams engaged in gene testing and development of enabling technologies for soybean genome modification. Used tissue-culture based genome modification technologies to produce plants and plant materials for collaborating scientists involved in product development. Managed demand signals from internal customers to fill multiple research pipelines. Planned, monitored and evaluated work with respect to job objectives. Engaged in research and communicated with customers to establish and review priorities. Led Six Sigma Black Belt teams to develop and implement new tissue culture and transformation processes to reduce costs and increase productivity. Supervised the Quality Management System for the Wilmington location to ensure adherence to best practices. Managed a Central Services group which provided support services such as media preparation to researchers. Was a leader in design of a large cutting-edge tissue culture facility.

Wilmington, Delaware

Managed the Soybean Production Transformation Team, producing lead events for the Pioneer business, including plants for the commercialized high oleic acid soybean oil product. Conducted research and implemented new technologies for transformation process scale-up and improved transgenic event quality. Through collaborations and independent research, identified effective enabling technologies such as a gene excision system using Cre/Lox, a first generation gene targeting system and an alternate selectable marker. Improved reporting of molecular analysis results in a Six Sigma Green Belt project. Led creation of training modules on the biolistics (gene-gun mediated) transformation process for the Pioneer Learning Center. Co-developed a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for managing transformation experiment design, transgenic production information, workflow and germplasm.

Wilmington, Delaware

• Led teams dedicated to maize transformation supporting development of traits such as modified seed composition.Supervised transformation researchers and media preparation and growth chamber personnel.Was a key player in design of a comprehensive facility for plant tissue culture and transformation, including culture facilities, growth chambers, laboratories, offices. • Prepared plant transformation examples for patent and registration applications, and notifications to regulatory agencies. Conducted research to improve canola transformation technology.• Used Agrobacterium rhizogenes in plant model systems to identify genes regulating plant fatty acid biosynthesis. Extracted, derivatized and analysed plant tissues using GC.

Newark, Delaware

Through the Industrial Partners Program, engaged in Vanilla tissue culture in solid and liquid media and analyzed flavor compounds produced in vitro. Evaluated growth of tissues in bioreactors and identified those with positive effects on culture growth. Completed grant applications which received renewal, and produced quarterly and annual reports to the University and the collaborating flavor company. Patented a process for rapid germination of Vanilla seeds. Interacted with faculty and students and supervised student assistants.

Newark, Delaware

Was responsible for activities related to running a maize inbred development nursery including plot planning, preparing field books, planting, pollinating, harvesting, and packaging seed.Cultured and applied inoculum to plants in the field and rated plants for foliar and stalk diseases, pest damage, and agronomic traits. Validated a rating scale for disease severity for gray leaf spot disease of corn (Cercospora zeae-maydis) and presented a paper at NE Corn Improvement Conference at Penn State University. Collected and analyzed data from test locations in Delaware and reported out to participating seed companies and research collaborators. Assisted graduate students, supervised part-time workers and a seasonal pollinating crew.

Newark, De

Taught laboratory sections of Botany I, Botany II, Intro to Crop Science and Introduction to Soil Science, graded student botanical drawings and exams, set up materialsConducted thesis research evaluating effects of conservation tillage practices on corn yield, flowering synchrony, and foliar nutrient composition Provided text and figures for a Cooperative Extension Bulletin on conservation tillage and wrote articles for the Cooperative Extension newsletter Presented thesis research at NE regional meeting of the American Society of AgronomyGave demos and presentations at U. of D. Farm Field Days

Newtown Square, Pa

Maintained an extensive collection of epiphytic and terrestrial orchids.Grew and staged ornamental plants and cut flowers for the Du Pont home. Estate plants included Camellia, Clivia, Fuschia, Cineraria, trained Chrysanthemums, geraniums, cut carnations and snapdragons. Harvested developing orchid seed capsules for sowing and established orchid seedlings from flask culture. Worked on exhibits for Foxcatcher Orchids at the Philadelphia Flower Show and Eastern Orchid Conference. Attended Delaware Orchid Society meetings.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Agriculture

Activities and Societies: Pi Alpha Xi, Cornell University ChorusMajor: Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture

Mini Course, Mammalian Cell Culture

Master Of Science (M.S.), Plant Science

Activities and Societies: Associate Member, Sigma Xi scientific research society

Additional Graduate Courses In, Biochemistry, Plant Cell And Molecular Biology, Fermentation Technology