About
Hello, my name is Olivia Hofmann and I am a Plant Pathology Ph.D. student completing rotations in several department laboratories. My passion for plant pathology developed during my undergraduate degree while working in a plant pathology lab, and this experience inspired me to pursue additional education in the field. Broadly, my research interests revolve around molecular plant-microbe interactions, especially identifying genes important for pathogenicity. I am also interested in the structural and functional characterization of such genes and gene products to understand their molecular mechanisms of action.
Outside of school, I enjoy playing the violin in a local community orchestra, competitive sailing, and crafting including sewing and crocheting.
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Education
B.S. in Biology- Lafayette College; 2024
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Research
While pursuing my undergraduate degree at Lafayette College, I worked with Dr. Manuel Ospina-Giraldo to conduct research on carbohydrate active enzymes and cell wall degrading enzymes in Phytophthora spp., especially Phytophthora infestans. As a part of my undergraduate thesis research, I investigated the transcriptional activity of two genes encoding hypothetical pectinases and explored their effects on plant physiology.