Hello Chestnut Enthusiasts! I joined the TACF team on July 10 as the new Southern Regional Science Coordinator. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia (UVA) with a minor in Global Sustainability. While at UVA, I interned with TACF for over a year, making me a TACF alumnus! During that time, I experienced many aspects of the foundation, from plantings in the fall and spring to harvesting nuts in October. I compiled 10 years of historical data from the MD and VA chapters and entered that information into TACF’s online database, dentataBase. I also conducted my undergraduate thesis project on how chestnut trees respond to fire, and presented that research at the 2014 Annual TACF Meeting in Front Royal, Virginia. One of my proudest moments to-date is getting my research published in TACF’s magazine, Chestnut.
I left Virginia and TACF in August 2015 to work as a project manager for medical software implementations across the country. Almost two years later, TACF’s President and CEO, Lisa Thomson contacted me about the position for Southern Regional Science Coordinator. Shortly thereafter I accepted the position and moved to the beautiful city of Asheville, NC. The passion of our volunteers, the science behind this majestic tree, and the dedication of the staff made the decision to return an easy one for me.
I can hardly believe I started a month ago! Returning to the Appalachian mountains has been a highlight for me and Asheville is quickly becoming home. I got to spend my first days in the field, meeting key stakeholders in the southern region. One highlight in my first days at TACF was attending the Southern Region Science Meeting held in Chattanooga, TN where current and future projects were discussed.
I look forward to using my skills in project management to assist the southern region. The southern region’s efforts in incorporating resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi (root rot disease) into the breeding program is important. I am excited to participate and assist the highly-skilled scientists from Clemson University, NC State University, and Chestnut Return Farms in these efforts. I am optimistic about the future of the chestnut and cannot wait to see what my tenure at The American Chestnut Foundation holds.