A New Path to Plant Science: Introducing the First Pivoting to Plants Fellows
Making a career change isn’t easy, and professions that require research experience can make it especially daunting to take that step. That’s where the Pivoting to Plants fellowship program comes in, a new year-long program funded by the National Science Foundation. This year-long training initiative hosted at the Danforth Center is designed for professionals who are eager to transition to the plant, data, and life sciences and would benefit from the opportunity to add research experience to their resumes.
Open to individuals with an associate or bachelor’s degree, Pivoting to Plants provides a full-time, hands-on research experience in a variety of STEM specializations: bioimaging, remote sensing, data analysis, plant phenotyping, geospatial technology, scientific communication skills, and more. Participants are immersed in a dynamic research environment that offers mentorship, industry connections, and professional development in the collaborative environment of St. Louis’ thriving agtech ecosystem. At the end of the program, each Pivoting to Plants participant will present their research at a symposium, showcasing the skills they’ve gained and the impact they’re poised to make in their new career path.
The first cohort is now at the Danforth Center, fully immersed in their fellowship. We're thrilled to introduce this talented, driven, and promising group. Meet our 2025 fellows below!
Kevin Hava | Czymmek Lab
Kevin Hava
Kevin Hava spent a decade teaching high school science before transitioning to a new career path. Prior to joining the Pivoting to Plants Program, he worked in ecological restoration at Forest Park and, most recently, as a technician at the Danforth Center’s Field Research Site, but did not have research experience, particularly in the field of microscopy. He saw the fellowship as an opportunity to build new skills that complement his background in conservation and education. He aims to emerge from the program with a clear idea of how his skills fit into St. Louis’ plant science community and hopes to find a position where his background in education will be valuable.
“I have really enjoyed and appreciated how we are being encouraged to jump into the research that is being done here by using the tools and exploring all the possibilities of what the Danforth Center offers. It’s been overwhelming at times, but it’s great to be challenged to learn new things. It’s stimulating in a way that I have missed.”
Sunita Lama | Gehan Lab
Sunita Lama
Sunita Lama’s background is in microbiology and data analysis. Her love of gardening drew her to the Pivoting to Plants program, where she knew she would have the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience after taking a break in her career. Currently in the early stages of her research project, she is eager to develop her skills in the lab and strengthen her scientific expertise. Her ultimate goal is to become a research scientist in academia or the agriculture industry. The Pivoting to Plant program will help her build the support she needs to reach her goal through valuable mentoring.
“It’s been exciting to have the opportunity to attend big conferences like the North American Plant Phenotyping Network conference and Maize Genetics Meeting within the first few months of this program.”
Jesse Laseter | Burch-Smith Lab
Jesse Laseter
Jesse Laseter’s scientific journey began with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences. It was during that time that he first encountered the excitement of research through a project he worked on about the Missouri tarantula. After a friend gifted him a houseplant, his curiosity shifted to plants, and he worked in native plant conservation after graduating. But he missed the depth of the scientific exploration he’d experienced as an undergraduate, and sought valuable research experience in plant science and data science. The Pivoting to Plants fellowship provided the perfect bridge to give him hands-on experience to be competitive in the workforce. He is honing his research and communication skills. He aims to pursue a career that allows him to contribute to sustainable agriculture and plant conservation.
“This fellowship has had many exciting aspects, but my favorite has been discovering the incredible breadth of research conducted at the Danforth Center. While I'm working in Dr. Burch-Smith's lab, focusing on plasmodesmata regulation, I'm continually inspired by the diverse research happening around me. Nearby labs are exploring fascinating areas like mycorrhizal fungi interactions, plant stress responses, and innovative agricultural solutions. The opportunity to be surrounded by such cutting-edge scientific research is truly awe-inspiring.”
Tess Rogers | Murphy Lab
Tess Rogers
Before joining the Pivoting to Plants program, Tess Rogers worked at a raptor rehabilitation center, where she had a wide range of responsibilities like environmental education, behavioral training, and husbandry, field studies, and mentoring. She loved her work, but she found herself looking for a new challenge and a path to return to research with real-world environmental applications. The Pivoting to Plants fellowship provided the perfect opportunity. Through this program, she aims to learn skills in research, particularly data analysis, and ultimately contribute to meaningful research while mentoring the next generation of scientists.
“My first passion was field ecology, and I wanted to find a way to return to research in a manner that had clear applications to the growing environmental issues we have been facing. The Pivoting to Plants program seemed almost too good to be true when I heard about it, as it seemed the perfect solution to me being able to do just that.”
Eliza Seigel | Fahlgren Lab
Eliza Seigel
Eliza Seigel discovered her passion for biology later in her academic journey. When students were allowed back on campus after the COVID-19 pandemic, she started volunteering at her college’s greenhouse and fell in love with plants and biodiversity. Determined to gain more hands-on experience, she pursued fieldwork with AmeriCorps and the Chicago Botanic Garden, but wanted to gain research experience. Through this program, she hopes to expand her research skills and explore career opportunities in plant science, all while building meaningful connections in the scientific community.
“I have been really enjoying the Committee for Scientific Training and Mentoring seminar series. Our Pivot to Plants cohort goes to the talks and lunches together, and—aside from it being a nice bonding experience for the five of us—getting to hear from scientists from a wide range of expertise is super interesting.”
The inaugural Pivoting to Plants cohort is already making the most of this fellowship, immersing themselves in hands-on research, networking, and exploring career options. As they continue their journey at the Danforth Center, we look forward to seeing their growth and the impact they will make in the field.