Five Hobart and William Smith Colleges students spent the summer immersed in scientific research at the Cornell AgriTech station in Geneva, gaining valuable insights into careers in the field of environmental studies and biology. The students worked on a range of projects, from crop maintenance to studying diseases in apple trees, while learning advanced lab techniques and data analysis skills.
Ava Lee ’25, an environmental studies major, divided her time between lab work and farm tasks. She contributed to phenotyping and hemp tissue culture research, while also managing crop maintenance and weeding. In addition, Lee took on computer-based responsibilities, including photographing plant specimens for the Germplasm Resources Information Network and managing data using Excel.
“My experience has paid off because I learned a lot about using the R computing language and Excel, as well as so much about plant biology,” Lee said. She worked under the guidance of Vegetable Crop Germplasm Curator Rebecca Povilus from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
For Lee, the internship offered a glimpse into the world of scientific research, helping her explore potential career paths.
Researching apple diseases
Biology major Andrew Painton ’25 continued his work studying fire blight, a common disease in apple trees. Under the mentorship of Kerik Cox, an associate professor in Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science, Painton evaluated the effectiveness of the fungicide Actigard on four apple tree cultivars. His research aimed to identify the best treatment methods to combat the disease.
“I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in biology, and this research experience has given me a foundation for the work I may be doing as I enter graduate school,” Painton said. “I hope this experience will enable me to continue developing useful skills for graduate education.”
Diverse research opportunities
Three other biology majors—Katherine Colvin ’25, Kevin Frost ’25, and Hannah Hartung ’25—also contributed to scientific projects at Cornell AgriTech. Colvin worked with USDA apple and tart cherry curator Benjamin Gutierrez, while Frost collaborated with Tyler Gordon, a research geneticist specializing in hemp. Hartung worked alongside Fred Gouker, a research geneticist focusing on grapes.
The partnership between Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Cornell AgriTech provides students with unique opportunities to work alongside Cornell faculty, graduate students, and international researchers. The hands-on experience helps students learn the latest scientific techniques and prepares them for future careers in science.
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