Hello All,
My name is Lakiah (La-kI-yah) Clark. I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and I have just completed my undergraduate studies at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL. I graduated with a Bachelors in Science, with a concentration in Environmental Science. My interest in the environmental field developed throughout my childhood as I was, and still am, fascinated with the complex yet systematic relationships of life cycles.
During my undergraduate career I assisted in a couple of research projects, in which none was directly related to the other. These experiences brought me to realize that I simply like research as a whole. I would never limit myself to one particular area if it was not required of me. To me, the potential to discover unknowns is thrilling all in itself. However, my thesis work will focus on determining whether there is an effect of soil quality on soybean health and disease suppression. I will be comparing characteristics of conventional and organic soils and their individual effects on soybean growth and development. Understanding such relationships have the potential to provide clarity on agricultural systems and in turn improve regional agricultural practices.
In the future I would like to work on international agriculture development and resource conservation. I aspire to to create and/or improve current agriculture practices, as we are faced with feeding the growing populations and conserving natural resources.
Thanks for your time!
Be you and prosper :)
-Lakiah N. Clark
This is a space where UIUC SPI participants in the Summer 2013 Research Methods and Writing Seminar engage each other as researchers, intellectuals and members of a cross disciplinary knowledge producing community.
Awesome post Lakiah! Utilizing natural methods in order to fight disease is a fascinating topic. I'm definitely interested in learning more.
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I agree that the one downfall to academic research or research in general is that you have to micro-define your research interests (or at least everyone tells you that this is necessary). I'm Looking forward to one day being tenured and having the ability to say "I'm interested in everything and yes my research pertains to everything and anything that I am interested in!!!!"
ReplyDeleteJust recently I had a personal and positive experience volunteering at a local garden in Chicago. Although, I don't recall anyone having mentioned dealing with soy beans, I'm wondering if you've had the opportunity to read the article that was assigned to us: Environmental Justice and the Future of Chicana/o Studies. I'm not suggesting that you look into that topic, but I'm wondering if you'll mention any of the harmful practices to both the crop and the individuals working the land as part of what you mentioned: "comparing characteristics of conventional and organic soils and their individual effects on soybean growth and development". Random thought, but that's what came to mind when I first read your post. Interesting, nonetheless. I look forward to hearing/reading more.
ReplyDeleteSoil quality and its connection to health and disease suppression is quite fascinating, and relevant. Much success in your studies with that! :) I tend to wonder about how crop is nurtured during its cycle the most when I am accosted by bad produce at the market... Although I know many veggies and fruits are not always locally grown, thus why it looks terrible in the aisles of Walmart, you now got me wondering if soil quality can effect how long produce lasts when it is removed from its source location. I know you are working mostly with soybeans, but I would be interested to see the implications for other vegetables/fruits... You are definitely in a good location here in Urbana-Champaign, as the area is known to have very rich soil. :)
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