Leala Machesney Email & Phone Number

Laramie, Wyoming, United States

I'm currently a Plant Science Research Manager at Plenty where I plan and help execute research trials for new CEA crops and strawberries in cutting-edge, vertical farms. I execute trials from start to finish which includes developing research questions, creating data sheets and analyzing that data, using my robust IPM knowledge to scout and advise our Grow Team on pest-control strategies, communicate with multiple teams to ensure flawless environmental setpoint control and data… Show more I'm currently a Plant Science Research Manager at Plenty where I plan and help execute research trials for new CEA crops and strawberries in cutting-edge, vertical farms. I execute trials from start to finish which includes developing research questions, creating data sheets and analyzing that data, using my robust IPM knowledge to scout and advise our Grow Team on pest-control strategies, communicate with multiple teams to ensure flawless environmental setpoint control and data collection, and present beginning and end of trial reports to internal and external stakeholders. Some of the critical skills I've required or developed in this position are:- Extensive Google Workspace knowledge - Working knowledge of JavaScript- Pedagogy to teach entry level workers the importance of the research and the plant science skills necessary to execute it- Strong IPM skills- A wealth of knowledge about growing strawberries indoors: from fertility needs to environment optimization to pests and disease solutions- Developing a full research plan, including economic opportunity and production costs, for new CEA crops with little or no publicly available production information. I've learned how to ask the right questions early and iterate often!- Adjusting my communication style to engage external partners, senior leadership, or the technicians critical to carrying out our research- Experimental design and statistical analysis- Improving data quality through data QC, process optimization, and data technician training - Currently teaching myself SQL to strengthen my data skills- Humility and the ability to pivot when new knowledge presents itselfA few of the things I'm most proud of in this role are:- The development of a web-based tool to train those new to categorizing strawberry fruit how to perform this task-The development of many SOPs and GoogleForms quizzes to help ensure uniformity in our data collection practices Show less

Wyoming, United States

I joined Plenty as a Supervisor of Science Operations and I will always be grateful for the valuable lessons I learned in team leadership and plant science operations. Those lessons prepared me for greater challenges in my current role as a Research Manager and for future work with fast-paced teams doing work requiring an eye for detail. In my role as an Operations Supervisor I lead a team of technicians to help execute vertical farm research trials for leafy greens, strawberries, and… Show more I joined Plenty as a Supervisor of Science Operations and I will always be grateful for the valuable lessons I learned in team leadership and plant science operations. Those lessons prepared me for greater challenges in my current role as a Research Manager and for future work with fast-paced teams doing work requiring an eye for detail. In my role as an Operations Supervisor I lead a team of technicians to help execute vertical farm research trials for leafy greens, strawberries, and new CEA crops. Our team was responsible for setting up the trial to the Principle Investigator's exact specifications. We were also charged with scheduled data collection to answer key research objectives and horticultural maintenance, including fertility management and scouting. I was accountable for making sure all research was executed as planned and that all technicians had the tools and knowledge required. As part of that responsibility, I created SOPs and lead training sessions to provide necessary instruction and plant science knowledge. It's very rare in research for a plan to ever go exactly as anticipated and for all potential issues to be addressed up front, so it was critical for me to communicate my own observations and the observations of my team to scientists as soon as possible so we could refine our research plan. The most important aspect of my position was making sure my team felt heard and empowered. As a people leader, I feel that it's important to recognize you rarely hold all the answers and with that understanding I lean into a participative leadership style where I encourage my employees to feel comfortable flagging their concerns and developing plans to solve those problems. This also gave me team the freedom to delve into the problems they were most passionate about solving and consider what skills they wanted to gain to further their career goals. Show less

Springfield, Ohio, United States

Assistant Farm Manager at Square Roots, a vertical farm producing local, pesticide-free leafy greens and herbs

Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States

As the Program Technician in Dickson Lab at the University of Arkansas I was responsible for assisting in the design and implementation of CEA hydroponic and containerized research projects, with a focus on small fruit crops, leafy greens, and herbs. I was also responsible for the lab IPM program, lab and greenhouse inventory, and supervising graduate students, undergraduate students, and hourly employees.

Orono, Me

As a Research Assistant at the University of Maine, I assisted in the completion of projects related to optimization of nutrients and mycorrhizae in hydroponic basil production, evaluation of green manures for sustainable agricultural production, and quantifying and identifying common orchard arthropod species for the Entomology Department.

Master Of Science - Ms, Horticulture

My thesis research was focused on production strategies and scheduling of long-cane blackberry cultivars in controlled environments.

Bachelor'S Degree, Ornamental Horticulture

Activities and Societies: Previous Secretary, Vice President, and President of the University of Maine Horticulture Club. Member.