Ginger Carston Email & Phone Number

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

Grand Haven, Michigan, United States

Grand Haven, Mi

I maintain growing and production aspects of the breeding program including: -Maintaining plants for breeding purposes -Executing seed germination protocols, where I collect, clean, store, and plant seed, focusing on improving germination speed and success -Preparing seedlings for evaluation trials as soon as possible, including transplanting, sorting, and selecting for desirable plants -Organizing plants according to water needs and efficient use of space -Maintaining detailed records of breeding activities to ensure data accuracy -Executing plant crosses via hand pollination -Evaluating trials of various genera -Managing seasonal staff

Lansing, Michigan Area

As a Nursery Manager I regularly ordered shipments of plants and materials as needed for jobs, prioritizing deadlines. I also routinely organized, pruned, and fertilized nursery stock to maintain health and appearance, and frequently worked with clients to identify plants on properties and discuss plant health concerns. I measured client properties and created base maps using Vectorworks design software. I also improved efficiency by creating organized records of plants and materials purchased as well as quantities used by each job. I often had to troubleshoot nursery irrigation issues, including making minor repairs to irrigation lines and sprinklers.

Lansing, Mi

I Independently diagnosed and treated plant diseases at 100+ residential/commercial properties. I also consistently mixed and applied pesticides and fertilizer, adhering to safety guidelines and routinely communicated with approx. 30 clients/month and responded to plant health questions. I also navigated and drove company spray truck between residential and commercial job sites daily.

East Lansing, Mi

As an undergraduate lab technician, I conducted Independent Research on Dendrochronology of Arizona pines, where I utilized a microscope, digital scanner, and Adobe Photoshop to process tree cores and establish a chronology of collected samples.Then I analyzed my data using COFECHA, ARSTAN, and DENDROCLIM to study the effect of environmental stressors on tree growth.I also wrote 12-page standard operating procedures manual to streamline future lab program use and presented my lab results at the MSU undergraduate research forum;I will be future coauthor on a manuscript that includes my research work.

East Lansing, Mi

As an undergraduate summer research assistant, I worked in an entomology lab focused on agricultural insect pests, where I routinely performed field survey counts of soybean aphids in test cages.I also regularly scouted and collected Western Bean Cutworm eggs in corn fields, and then reared the larvae in a lab.In addition, I aided in raising plants in a greenhouse, which were used in experiments.

East Lansing, Mi

During my fall internship, I worked in Dr. Lindell's restoration ecology lab, focusing on her previous research data on tropical birds in Costa Rican restoration sites.I located and read more than 20 relevant research papers to complete the project's background information and assist in writing the introduction of paperI Input the professor’s experimental data of ecological restoration sites into excel, then compiled the data, performed statistical analyses, and developed figuresThe independent study concluded with a co-written final research paper, which was ultimately published (See paper under publications).

Muskegon, Mi

As a summer intern with the City of Muskegon, I used excel to catalog Grant-funded housing developments, then created bid forms. I also filed paperwork for house information, contractor information, deeds, etc.In addition, I visited and photographed future housing sites and those under development to add to catalog

Bachelor'S Degree, Entomology, 3.87

Activities and Societies: Michigan State University Graduate and Undergraduate Entomological Student Society -GUESSGraduated May 2014.

Bachelor'S Degree, Environmental Biology/ Plant Biology, 3.87

Activities and Societies: Michigan State University Horticulture ClubGraduated May 2014 Dean's List Graduated with High Honors