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Hi! I’m Ellie

General CV

Agriculturist

Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM)

MS Entomology & Nematology

MS Sustainable Food Systems

BA Environmental Studies & Spanish

Lover of bugs, plants, science, and food!

pronouns: she/hers/ella

I currently live in Tennessee, which is the traditional home of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Muscogee, Creek, Shawnee, Seneca, and Yuchi People. These Nations no longer have nation borders in Tennessee, and my goals are to support Native Americans who have returned to our state.

Purple irises, some of my favorite plants!
Me with some harvested turnips at a local Gainesville homeless shelter where I volunteer in the food

My Story

I currently work as a grant writer for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee. I am always looking to work with like-minded people to create jobs and space for ethical employment and resilient food systems. I previously worked for two years at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Extension at the Nashville Soil, Plant and Pest Center (SPPC). My role with UTK involved diagnosing plant pathogens, identifying insect pests, and occasionally assisting with soil analysis. I graduated with my doctorate in December 2020. My academic work focused on learning diagnostic skills to identify plant disease and symptoms of injury during my interdisciplinary degree--Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM). This professional doctoral degree involved in-depth study of Entomology, Nematology, Plant Pathology, Soil, Weed, and Plant Sciences. I am passionate about applying my knowledge to solving plant health problems for homeowners and growers. During my Bachelor's work, I competed all four years as Division I athlete, competing in the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 200 meter butterfly, and I bring discipline, visualization, and goal setting to my everyday work ethic. I am very extroverted and team-oriented and have enjoyed mentoring many student researchers during my career.

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I am interested in science communication, food justice and sovereignty, and being involved in agricultural policy in rural and urban settings during my career. What I love most about my work is food! I am driven to be part of a society where everyone has access to healthy, safe, and affordable food. 

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Professional 
Experience

Roles

Plant Pathogen & Insect Diagnostician, University of Tennessee

August 2020 - January 2023

  • Diagnosed plant pathogens, insect pests, and weeds for homeowners, public and private researchers, and agriculture and green industry professionals.

  • Maintained PPQ526 permit for quarantine laboratory.

  • Responded to submissions on the UTIA Distance Diagnostics portal utilized by TDA plant regulatory agents and Extension agents.

  • Submitted diagnoses to the National Plant Diagnostic Network, and actively participate in the National and Southern Plant Diagnostic Network working groups.

  • Established a molecular laboratory to expand diagnostic services, and support research projects with the support of the UTK EPP Department and TDA.

  • Adjunct Faculty Member with University of Tennessee, Knoxville Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology

  • Worked with Tennessee Universities, including MTSU, UTK, and TSU, to support semester-long undergraduate and graduate student internships in the plant pest laboratory.

  • Extension Strategic Planning Leadership – Fostering Engagement with more diverse groups

  • Lab-supported projects and collaborations: 

    • University of Tennessee One Health Initiative Delusional Parasitosis Working Group - 2022 survey co-PI.

    • International Ginseng Institute - MTSU - USDA-NIFA grant support on organic management methods of fungal pathogens of American ginseng.

    • Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) - Public History Department - working with MS student to digitize historical diagnoses from the plant pest diagnostic laboratory dating back to the 1960s.

University of Florida Graduate Teaching Assistant

January 2020 – August 2020

  • Maintenance and outreach in University of Florida 60-acre natural upland pine habitat conservation area included management of invasive plants, prescribed burns, and clearing of trails.

  • Promoted the teaching laboratory via social media outlets Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

  • Managed data on park use.

  • Purchased materials needed for park upkeep and teaching.

University of Florida Graduate Entomology Teaching Assistant

August 2019 – December 2019

  • Research involved data collection for surveys of the invasive pest insect Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug, and rearing and colony maintenance of multiple Pentatomidae and Coreidae species.

  • Curation and organization of teaching insect collection and outreach on arthropod and gastropod invasive pests.

  • Co-taught a horticulture vocational course at a local homeless shelter for adult learners to prepare them for work in the nursery and landscaping industry.

University of Florida Graduate Entomology Research Assistant

January 2017 - August 2019

  • Master’s research involved a two-year taxonomic arthropod survey in north central Florida olive groves.

  • Worked with Florida olive growers and farm managers to alert and advise with pest pressure when populations observed in the field reached levels of concern, and communicated frequently to coordinate grove visits.

  • Mentored and supervised five paid and volunteer research assistants aiding with field work, insect identification, and insect trap processing.

Volunteerism

The Native American Indian Association of Tennessee (NAIA)

I encourage my Tennessee friends to volunteer with the non-profit organization the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee. This organization has been providing services to Native Community in Tennessee since the 1980s. If you are like me and are not Native American, you can still support this organization's mission and purpose as a non-Native member. To learn more about this organization including the Annual Pow Wow, services available to Native American's in our state, and other ways to support Indigenous peoples in our state, please visit our website!

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Academic Experience

My Studies

Doctor of Plant Medicine | University of Florida

August 2016 - December 2020

My doctoral studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville involved qualifying exams in Entomology, Nematology, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, and Plant Science. The DPM program is a course-based and hands-on, diagnostics heavy degree to train graduates to diagnose problems related to plant health.

MS Entomology & Nematology | University of Florida

August 2016 - August 2019

I graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. My entomology MS involved a taxonomic survey of arthropods in Florida olive groves to evaluate pest pressure that could prevent olives from becoming a potential replacement crop for growers facing a declining citrus industry. My MS allowed me to mentor 10 undergraduate students who assisted with my research.

MS Sustainability | Lipscomb University

April 2015 - December 2016

I graduated from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN where my MS was centered on sustainable food systems. For my capstone project, I investigated the opportunities and obstacles facing an increase in farm-to-school food networks in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

BA Environmental Studies & Spanish | University of San Diego

September 2010 - May 2014

I graduated from the University of San Diego in San Diego, CA. My interdisciplinary degrees of Environmental Studies and Spanish led me to be involved with sustainability initiatives on campus, and I was awarded a grant of $2,000 to develop an on-campus food waste composting system and food garden.

Grants  - Academic and Research 

  • 2022 National Plant Diagnostic Network Grant, $34,500. 

  • 2021 National Plant Diagnostic Network Grant, $29,500.

  • 2021 National Plant Diagnostic Network Emergency Minigrant: $8,035.14.

  • 2019 Food for Health Foundation Scholarship for Cornell University’s online

  • Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate Program, maximum amount: $1,260.

  • 2018 University of Florida Graduate Student Travel Grant, maximum amount:

  • $350.

  • 2018 University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Graduate Student

  • Organization Fall 2018 Travel Grant Recipient, First Place: $500.

  • 2013 University of San Diego Ashoka Changemaker Summer Fellowship: $2,000.

Total: $76,145.14

Grants  - Nonprofit Sector

  • Arts Program - The Annual Tennessee Indian Education Pow Wow

    • ​2021, Awarded. Multiple charitable foundations, corporate sponsorships: $72,600.00

    • 2022, Awarded. multiple charitable foundations, corporate sponsorships: $93,327.00

    • 2023, Awarded, multiple charitable foundations, corporate sponsorships: $103,000.00

    • 2024, Awarded, multiple charitable foundations, corporate sponsorships: $87,000.00

    • 2025, Awarded, multiple charitable foundations, corporate sponsorships: $30,000.00

      • 2025 - Pending - $133,000.00​

      • Total Awarded over all Years: $385,927.00

  • Capital Campaign - The Circle of Life Indian Cultural Center 

    • 2023, Not Awarded. National Science Foundation Engines Proposal, Senior Personnel: $1,745,456.00

    • 2023, Not Awarded. Indian Land Tenure Foundation: $500,000.​00

    • 2023, Not Awarded. Lowe's Community Grant: $300.000.00

      • Subtotal: $2,745,456.

    • 2024, Under Review, Economic Development Administration, in partnership with the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC), matching funds to break ground on the Circle of Life Indian Cultural Center: $2,500,000.00.

    • ​2025, Awarded. Capital funding, storage warehouse, Joe C. Davis Foundation: $50,000.00.

  • Indigenous Arts Programs

    • 2023, Awarded. Rolling Grant, TN Arts Commission: $2,750.00

    • 2023, Awarded. COVID-19 Relief Funding, TN Arts Commission: $389,000.00

      • Subtotal: $391,750.00​

  • Indigenous Community Engagement Programs​​​

    • 2025, Awarded. Environmental Protection Agency. Community-Based Research for Effective Programs, Policies , and ​Decisions to Mitigate Cumulative Health Impacts and Environmental Health Disparities in Underserved Communities Request for Applications. Lopez, E, Co-PI. "Building Equity in the Intersections of Climate Change, Built Environment, and Environmental Health: A Community and Social-Technological Integration Based Research for Solutions". In partnership with researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, East Tennessee State University, and Georgia Tech University. Senior Personnel salary, hourly community outreach salary, incentives for Native American community participation and advisory board service, travel and supplies budgeted for the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee: $2,000,000.00.

    • 2025. Under Review, National Science Foundation, Resilience for All. Lope, E, Community Based Organization PI. In partnership with researchers from Clemson University, Eastern TN State University, Georgia Tech, West Virginia State University. Focus on Workforce Development and electric grid resilience. $15,000,000.00.

Total submitted and awarded to date: $3,458,293

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Awards

  • 2014 Recipient of Sustainability Activism Award from the Department of Environmental Studies at USD

  • 2010-2014 Recipient of Four Year Alcalá Academic Scholarship

  • 2010-2014 Dean’s List Four Year Recipient

  • 2014 Recipient of the Best Student Intern Award from the Office of Sustainability

  • 2014 Nominated for the Dr. Judy Rauner Award for Social Justice at University of San Diego

Athletics

  • Four-year Division I University of San Diego swimmer

  • Three year academic and athletic All-Conference Award recipient

  • Junior and Senior Captain of Division I USD Swim and Dive Team

  • Competed in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200-meter butterfly

Professional Service

  • Member of the American Phytopathological Society 2022-present

  • Member of the Entomological Society of America, 2021-present

  • Student member of the Florida Entomological Society, 2018-2020

  • Graduate Student Council Representative for the Entomology and Nematology Student Organization and the University of Florida, August 2018-July 2019

  • Secretary of the Doctor of Plant Medicine Student Organization, January 2018-December 2019

  • President of the Doctor of Plant Medicine Student Organization, January 2020-December 2020

  • Reviewer - University of Florida Entomology & Nematology Department Newsletter, January 2019-July 2020

  • Invited Graduate Student Member - University of Florida Entomology & Nematology Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI), June 2020-August 2020

  • Reviewer - Sensitivity Read - UTK Extension publication Tennessee Land, life and Science Magazine Spring/Summer 2021 edition. 

Features in Popular Media

Workshops Attended

  • March 16 & 23, 2017 – University of Florida Graduate Student Grant Writing Workshop with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant writing.

  • May 7, 2019 – AAAS Public Engagement Workshop in conjunction with the University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension professionals and moderated by the AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology.

Mentees

Graduate Students​

  • Pooh Mikavam – April 2023 – May 2024. Mentoring on final project for Master's of Social Work degree at Middle Tennessee State University. 

  • Sandra Pena – August 2021 – December 2022. Co-PI on stakeholder survey on psychological condition delusional parasitosis. Assisted during graduate Entomology course Insect Classification during fall 2021 with reference collection and instruction on insect identification, collection, and curation.

  • Jay Morgan - July 2022 - January 2023. Funding paid archival internship for Master's in Public History degree at Middle Tennessee State University. Jay's archival project is digitizing historical diagnoses from the plant pest diagnostic lab that date back to the 1960s. 

​Undergraduate Students

  • Jailyn Jamison – May 2022 – August 2022. Paid student intern in the UT Extension plant pathogen and insect diagnostics laboratory. I taught her how to identify plant pathogens and insects. 

  • Jordan Latham – January 2022 – May 2022. Paid student intern in the UT Extension plant pathogen and insect diagnostics laboratory. I taught her how to identify plant pathogens and insects.

  • Amanda Overbye – January 2022 – May 2022. Paid student intern in the UT Extension plant pathogen and insect diagnostics laboratory. I taught her how to identify plant pathogens and insects.

  • Robert Eichas – August 2021 – November 2021. Paid student intern in the UT Extension plant pathogen and insect diagnostics laboratory. I taught him how to identify plant pathogens and insects.

  • Gaige Lariscy – May 2021 – August 2021. Paid student intern in the UT plant pathogen and insect diagnostics laboratory. I taught him how to identify plant pathogens and insects.

  • Hannah Sholar - January 2018 to April 2018 - Paid research assistant. I taught her how to identify and collect insects.  

  • Angelina Nasthas - November 2018 – April 2018 -Volunteer undergraduate assistant with my entomology Master’s research. I taught her how to identify and collect insects.

  • Jasmine Zhai - November 2018 – April 2018 - Volunteer undergraduate assistant with my entomology Master’sresearch. I taught her how to identify and collect insects.

  • Andrew Mellies - May 2018 - September 2018 - Paid undergraduate assistant. I taught him how to identify insects, handle colony insects, and maintain greenhouse plants for a physiological experiment on the Asian citrus psyllid at the USDA. 

  • Edward Setzuko - May 2018 - September 2018 - Paid undergraduate assistant. I taught him how to identify insects, handle colony insects, and maintain greenhouse plants for a physiological experiment on the Asian citrus psyllid at the USDA.

  • Genhsy Monzon - August 2018 to December 2018 - Volunteer research assistant with my entomology Master's research. Awarded NSF LSAMP REU position for the Summer 2020 Costa Rica cohort. I was their at home research mentor for this program, which was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Carrie Suen - March 2018 – November 2019 - Paid undergraduate assistant with my entomology Master’s research. I taught her how to identify and collect insects. I edited her scientific writing.

  • Taryn Griffith - March 2017 - November 2019 - Paid undergraduate assistant with my entomology Master’s research. I taught her how to identify and collect insects, and edited her scientific writing. 

High School Students

  • Janani Kumaran - July 2018 - September 2018 - Volunteer high school assistant with my entomology Master’s research. I taught her how to identify insects.

Proficiencies

Areas of Expertise

Spanish

Conversational

While I am not fluent in Spanish, I am competent in conversation, writing, and reading Spanish. I am interested in becoming better at communicating science and services my lab offers to Spanish speaking community.

Keyboard, mouse, coffee cup, and potted aloe plant on a white desk

Plant Disease and Arthropod Diagnostics

Advanced

My doctorate and current job involves the study and identification of fungal, bacterial, nematode, and viral plant pathology. I have three years experience conducting insect taxonomic research and identification, and a master's degree in Entomology. Insect identification is another part of my current job.

Brown weevil (a type of beetle) on a leaf

Project Management

Advanced

I have mentored a total of 10 undergraduates who have helped me conduct research at the University of Florida. These research opportunities involved me teaching them about field work, greenhouse experiments, and lab protocols.

Tomato plant seedlings growing

Technology & Techniques

Proficient

I am proficient and experienced with the following technologies used in my field:

  • Microscoft Office Software

  • Microscopy

  • Molecular techniques i.e. PCR, DNA extraction, ELISA

  • Coding in R and SAS

A pipette tip and clear test tubes

Publications

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Click here to see a list of my peer-reviewed and Extension publications.

Presentations

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Click here to see a list of my research, invited, and Extension presentations and talks

Digital Content

Image by Bankim Desai

Digital Content Creation

Online Blog Posts - Plant Diseases and Insect Pests

Newsletters

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Past Experience

Past Roles

May 2018 - September 2018

Professional Research Internship at the USDA

  • Aided in the design and implementation of an entomological greenhouse experiment with the plant insect pest the Asian citrus psyllid that vectors citrus greening disease, Candidatus Liberibacter asiatics.

  • Mentor and supervisor for two undergraduate research assistants throughout the experiment who aided with the project.

January 2017 - April 2019

Graduate Research Mentor

  • Mentor to eight undergraduate students and one high school student who aided in my graduate research

  • Undergraduates from diverse majors including pre-dental, microbiology, cell biology, plant science, biology, entomology, and public health

May 2019 - August 2010

University of Florida Plant Disease Center

  • Diagnostic internship at the University of Florida's Plant Disease Center.

  • Worked to identify viral, fungal, bacterial, oomycete, and phytoplasma pathogens.

  • Differentiated between plant disease signs and symptoms and other causal agents such as insects, mites, nutrient deficiencies, chemical injury, or management practices.

  • Communicated results of pathogen test results to Extension clients of the Plant Disease Center.

  • Detailed record keeping of plant pathogen diagnosis.

  • Experience working with protocol for quarantine plant pathogens, international, and inter-state samples.

September 2019 - November 2020

Extension Teaching

11 adult students – August 2019 – November 2019 - Horticulture course for guests of Gainesville, FL homeless shelter GRACE Grows. I taught the course to help the participants gain the skills and knowledge required to take the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association certification test, with the goal of finding a job in a horticulture-related field. Topics taught were an overview of best management practices for Florida agriculture including plant identification, landscape design, how to grow and plant vegetables, flowers, and fruit from seeds and transplants, irrigation, soil structure, fertilization, pruning, integrated pest management, insect identification, weed identification, plant pathogens, and safety.

Certifications

  • March 7, 2021 – Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Course: Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher. Completed for research involving IRB approval. Expires March, 2024.

  • February 26, 2021 – Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Course: Conflicts of Interest. Completed for research involving IRB approval. Expires March, 2024.

  • February 26, 2021 – Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Course: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) at UTIA. Completed for research involving IRB approval. Expires March, 2024.

  • December 29, 2020 – UTK Regulatory Permit Training. k@te Training Module.

  • December 29, 2020. UT’s NEW Job Family Compensation Structure. k@te

  • Training Module.

  • September 24, 2020— 2020 2021 Title IX Mandatory Reporter Training. k@te Training Module.

  • September 13, 2020. UTIA Chemical Hygiene and Laboratory Safety Training k@te Training Module.

  • August 27, 2020. Title VI Training. k@te Training Module.

  • August 18, 2020. Extension Orientation. k@te Training Module.

  • August 11, 12, and 13. New Hire Extension Agent Training.

  • August 4, 2020. 2019 UTIA Securing the Human – New Employees. k@te

  • Training Module.

  • August 4, 2020. PCI DSS Compliance. k@te Training Module.

  • August 4, 2020. 2020 PCI DSS Security Awareness Training for Credit Card Merchants. k@te Training Module.

  • August 4, 2020. UTIA COVID-19 Return to Workspaces. k@te Training Module.

  • August 3, 2020. UTK Organizational Introduction. k@te Training Module.

  • March 17, 2020, Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate, eCornell and T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies.

  • February 20, 2020 – Kognito At-Risk Training for mental health, in compliance with the University of Florida teaching assistantship position.

  • February 17, 2020 – Youth Protection Training, issued by the University of Florida.

  • April 30, 2019 – USDA Information Security, Awareness, and Rules of Behavior Training (ISA) for use of federal electronic device compliance.

  • October 14, 2019 – Designing an Inclusive Course Badge, issued by the University of Florida Center for Instructional Technology and Training upon completion of the online course.

  • January 18, 2019 – PCard Refresher for Cardholders, issued by the University of Florida, in compliance with ongoing compliance with updated policies for university purchasing card protocols.

  • October 13, 2018 – Compliance: A Collaboration for Success! Issued by the University of Florida in compliance with professional ethics.

  • October 13, 2018 – Hazardous Waste Management, issued by the University of Florida in compliance with understanding of protocol of hazardous waste management in the entomology and nematology building.

  • January 4, 2017 – PCard for Commodities issued by the University of Florida in compliance with using a University purchasing card for purchasing commodities.

  • January 4, 2017 –PCard for Travel issued by the University of Florida in compliance with using a University purchasing card for travel purposes.

  • January 4, 2017 – What PCard Holders Need, issued by the University of Florida in compliance with using a University purchasing card.

Image by Walter Otto

"Our food system problems have WAY MORE to do with food processing capacity than farming per se. And yet everybody wants to do a sustainable farm....And thus the cycle of underinvestment continues"

Dr. Sarah Taber
@SarahTaber_bww

Contact

Thank you for reviewing my General CV.
Please get in touch to find out more.

Eleanor (Ellie) Lopez
5201 Marchant Dr
Nashville, TN  37211

eleanorfp42@gmail.com

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