Kinsey Reed, a dual major in
applied and environmental microbiology and
animal and nutritional sciences, is the 2019 Outstanding Senior for the Division
of Plant and Soil Sciences.
As she prepares to graduate, Reed, a Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, native is
looking forward to working with Rivendale Farms in in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
“Rivendale strives for excellence by combining natural, sustainable farming with
innovative techniques and technology,” she said. “I’m excited to get hands-on experience
with a farm on the forefront of agricultural innovation and technology.”
As a student, Reed was fortunate to conduct undergraduate research – and publish
her first paper – under the guidance of
Zac Freedman, assistant professor of environmental microbiology. She also participated
in a summer internship with Penn Vet Working Dog Center in Philadelphia.
“It was an extremely humbling experience,” she said. “The center was established
after September 11 to train working dogs for careers in search and rescue, law
enforcement and medicine. I learned more about dog behavior and training than I
could ever explain.”
Why did you choose your major?
I love that the applied and environmental microbiology major encompasses such a
wide breadth of topics. It's not just microbes - it's soils, plants, water, food,
disease, humans and everything in between. When I joined the program, I wasn’t
sure exactly what topic I wanted to focus on, as they all were interesting to me!
The variety of classes really enabled me to find my niche. Microbes are just one
crucial part of a complex and changing global ecosystem that we are still trying
to understand fully. To add to that, the professors in the Division of Plant and
Soil Sciences are all wildly passionate, friendly and knowledgeable about their
respective specialties, qualities which are seemingly contagious to me and the
other students.
Describe any internships, research or study abroad opportunities you participated in. How did they benefit you?
The spring semester of my sophomore year I took my first applied and environmental
microbiology class, General Microbiology, with Dr. Zachary Freedman. At the end
of the semester, I asked him if he needed any undergraduate help in his lab. Much
to my surprise, by the start of my Junior year he had me working on my own project
with the end goal being to publish a paper before I graduated! I have been studying
how anthropogenic nitrogen deposition, and its associated acidification, affects
forest soil microbes and carbon storage. I got to sample from long term experimental
plots in the USFS Fernow Experimental Forest in Parsons, West Virginia. I processed
those samples, did physical and chemical tests, extracted and sequenced bacterial
and fungal DNA, performed statistical analyses, and wrote a publishable research
paper. All along the way, Dr. Freedman and his graduate students were there if
I needed help or had questions, which I often did, and were always incredibly kind
and patient. While challenging, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I
learned new things every single day and was challenged in ways I never had been
before.
If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be and why?
This isn’t a philosophical answer at all, but I’ve always been jealous of the original
Mythbusters cast. I would’ve loved to trade places with Keri or Tory for a day.
The show was the main reason I got interested in science and I used to watch it
every single Wednesday night with my dad and brother. I still quote the show often
in the lab (particularly, “Failure is always an option”).
Was there a professor or staff member who impacted you more than others? If so, who and why?
Just like the state of West Virginia itself, I believe WVU’s greatest asset is
the incredible people that make up the Mountaineer family. My WVU experience is
invaluable because, from start to finish, I have had people fighting for my success
and pushing me to be the best student and person I could be. One of those people
is my academic advisor, Dr. Robert Dailey. He is the first person I met at WVU.
He’s been advising here since 1977, but not once did I feel like "just another
student". Even after I changed career paths halfway through college and added a
second major, I never once felt unsure of my future after meeting with him. He
is a steadfast friend, mentor, and advocate to every student that he interacts
with. Dr. Zac Freedman has only been at WVU since 2016, but he has been a stunning
testament to the talented and dedicated professors WVU hires. As my research advisor,
his hands-off style of guidance allowed me to complete a research project virtually
all by myself, even though it took a little longer that way. I honestly never thought
I would have a professor be as dedicated as Dr. Freedman is to my personal and
professional growth and success. I feel prepared to enter any graduate program
or career with confidence. Not just due to the skills I've learned, because now
I don’t fear any new challenge.
What is one thing you would have done differently?
I wish I would’ve taken more classes on the WVU farm. I had no idea I would love
it as much as I do. I didn’t really have any experience with agriculture before
coming here, so I was initially a little intimidated by all my extremely knowledgeable
and experienced professors, teaching assistants, and classmates. It sounds silly
now, but I’ve learned that putting myself in “uncomfortable” situations where I
really had to grow is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.
What’s your advice for the Class of 2019?
Get involved within your local communities (wherever they are), you won’t regret
it. Also, support your local farmers through CSAs, farmer’s markets, eating at
restaurants that use local ingredients, etc. Not only are you helping the farmers,
you’re getting affordable, nutritious, and delicious food for yourself!