Stephanie Szostek
Fort Collins, CO
720.470.2112 (Mobile, US Mountain Standard Time)
e-mail: stephasp@rams.colostate.edu
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Plant Pathology
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Dissertation Title: Biology and overwinter survival of Iris yellow spot virus in Colorado
December 2014
GPA 3.959/4.0
B.S. Biology
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Cum Laude
December 2001
GPA 3.585/4.0
Molecular Biology
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
93 credits, 1996-1999
GPA 3.68/4.0
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Molecular Biology
 Bacterial transformation
 cDNA synthesis
 Chromatin
Immunoprecipitation
 DNA/RNA extraction
 Enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA)
 Gel electrophoresis
 Polymerase Chain Reaction
(PCR)
 Quantitative Real-Time PCR
 Reverse Transcriptase PCR
 Primer design
 Protein quantification
 Western Blot
Applied
 Bacterial / fungal isolation
from plant tissue
 Cell Culture (mammalian,
insect, bacteria)
 Flow cytometry
 Field surveys for pest and
disease
 Identify plants and insects to
species
 Maintain a viruliferous thrips
colony
 Protein, Monoclonal Antibody
and Hybridoma Production
 Seed grow-outs
 Thrips counting
General Laboratory
 Aseptic techniques
 Buffer, media, general lab
solutions preparation
 Compound and dissection
microscopy
 Interact with growers
 Microsoft Office, Open Office
 Supervise student staff;
approve time sheets
 Train others in the techniques
listed here
PROFESSIONAL and RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Associate
January 2015 – present
Colorado State University- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Fort Collins, CO
 Develop and validate RT-PCR assays to identify common thrips species to be used in conjunction with
existing Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) diagnostic assays; prepare manuscripts.
Graduate Research Assistant
June 2008 – December 2014
Colorado State University- Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Fort Collins, CO
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Conducted independent research regarding the biology of Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) in relation to its
vector (Thrips tabaci) and host plants using molecular, serological and applied techniques.
Developed Quantitative Real-Time PCR for IYSV.
Explored reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) as a new diagnostic
technique for IYSV.
Conducted experiments in the field, greenhouse, and laboratory to elucidate new season sources of IYSV.
Identified additional plant hosts of IYSV.
Maintained a viruliferous thrips colony.
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Scouted fields for pests and pathogens of onion for the Onion IPMpipe, a multi-state integrated pest
management project; interacted with growers.
Collected samples and evaluated products for academic and industry collaborators.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
August 2008 – December 2014
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
11 semesters providing instruction for four different biological sciences lab courses and recitation sections
focused on critical thinking and communication skills. 2-3 lab or recitation sections per week with 24-30 students
per section.
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Earned a Graduate Teaching Certificate
Prepared and presented lab lectures and discussion sessions.
Provided instruction, technical assistance, and advice to students.
Managed time such that all activities were completed within the class period.
Wrote and graded quizzes and assignments; graded exams.
Provided feedback and graded lab reports and term papers.
Communicated with students via email and in person; Learned each student’s name.
Professional Research Assistant/ Lab Manager
October 2004- May 2008
University of Colorado- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Boulder, CO
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Conducted experiments relevant to mechanisms of p53 transcription for the principal investigator, lab
members, and collaborators.
Designed and validated primers for use in real-time PCR and reverse transcriptase real-time PCR.
Managed lab operations, including purchasing, equipment maintenance, organization, and general lab tasks.
Trained new undergraduate and graduate students the techniques used in the lab.
Provided technical assistance and advice to lab members and other graduate students.
Maintained cell cultures.
Complied with hazardous waste regulations.
Professional Research Assistant
May 2002- July 2004
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center- Cancer Center- Tissue Culture and Monoclonal Antibody Core
Lab, Denver, CO
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Maintained stock cell cultures and expanded for large scale protein production in spinner vessels and in
bioreactors
Protein production using the baculovirus expression system.
Formed new hybridoma cell lines for use in antibody production
Screened new hybridoma cell lines by ELISA to detect desired antibody
Provided status updates to clients.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Courses taught:
Elements of Plant Pathology (BSPM 361)
3 laboratory sections, 72 students
2014, 2010
Bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, abiotic problems, and parasitic plants are covered. Students learn
isolation, diagnostic and inoculation techniques. In addition to weekly quizzes, students are also required
to work through Koch's postulates and write a report according to a given scenario.
Principles of Plant Biology (BZ 120)
2 laboratory sections, 48 students
2013, 2010, 2009
Activities in this lab course include demonstrations of osmosis, diffusion, respiration, photosynthesis,
mitosis, meiosis, and genetics during the first half of the semester. The second half of the semester
includes a survey of plant life, basic plant anatomy, and plant growth regulation. Quizzes are given every
other week, and students write a lab report over the osmosis and diffusion activity.
Attributes of Living Systems (LIFE102)
2 laboratory sections, 48 students
2008
Students perform various activities demonstrating basic biological concepts including: osmosis, diffusion,
respiration, fermentation, photosynthesis, genetics, genetic transformation, and evolution. Students
complete weekly quizzes, in-class assignments, a poster presentation, and a lab report over the genetic
transformation activity.
Biology of Organisms- Animals and Plants (LIFE 103) 2 laboratory sections, 48 students
2012, 2014
Students learn the primary features of plant and animal phyla and evolutionary relationships among them.
During laboratory sessions students observe and dissect preserved specimens, and observe models,
microscope slides, and live specimens when possible. Students also design, perform, and produce a
written report on an experiment related to human cardiopulmonary response. There are weekly quizzes
and four practical exams.
Plants and Civilizations (AGRI/IE 116)
3 recitation sections, 90 students
2012, 2011, 2009
Recitation activities are varied and include discussing assigned readings, special presentations, debates,
and a peer review session in order to develop critical thinking skills. Students write a term paper over the
course of the semester, and time is spent during recitation to help develop their ideas. Several additional
short writing assignments are completed during the semester.
Lectures and Presentations:
Invited presentation: “Doing science: What it’s really like,” Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins, CO, 2014.
Invited lecture: “Coffee,” Plants and Civilizations (AGRI/IE 116), Fort Collins, CO, 2012.
Invited presentation: “Little Bugs, Big Problems,” Fossil Ridge High School, Fort Collins, CO 2011-2013.
Invited lecture: “Fibers and Dyes,” Plants and Civilizations (AGRI/IE 116), Fort Collins, CO, 2009-2010.
Professional Development
2014 Graduate Teaching Certificate, Granted by The Institute for Learning and Teaching, Colorado State
University
Professional Development- Teaching Seminars Attended:
2012 “There's more to research than Wikipedia: Engaging students in the age of Google” Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, CO
2010 “The Adult Learner and Student Veteran Undergraduate Experience” Colorado State University, Fort
Collins, CO
2010 "Creative and Critical Thinking Tips and Tools: Incorporate into your class, work, service, etc.”
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2010 “Make Them Think: Revising Library Research Assignments for Powerful Critical Thinking
Results” Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2009 “Honoring Generational Differences: How do we Teach Millennials?” Colorado State University, Fort
Collins, CO
OTHER RELATED EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate research assistant
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
1998-1999
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Determine the sex ratio, mating status, and species of flea beetles as part of a biological control study.
Follow up sex ratio results with investigation of whether the beetles were infected with Wolbachia sp.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2014 Reviewer for Plant Disease
2013 Workshop, “Sampling Terms, Concepts and Best Practices for Plant Pathologists”, American
Phytopathological Society, Austin TX
2011 Environmental Science Communication Fellow, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
AWARDS AND SCHOLOARSHIPS
2008 – 2014 Graduate Teaching Assistantship
2009 – 2014 Graduate Research Assistantship
2012 Monty and Jeanice Harrison Graduate Student Scholarship in Plant Pathology, $500
2011 Environmental Science Communication Fellow
2011 Monty and Jeanice Harrison Graduate Student Scholarship in Plant Pathology, $500
2010 Bert Bohmont Graduate Student Award for Excellence in Extension Education, $500
2009 William M. Brown Professional Development Award, $500
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
American Phytopathological Society
CONFERENCES ATTENDED
Colorado Onion Association, January 2015 in Eaton, CO
American Phytopathological Society, August 2014 in Minneapolis, MN
American Phytopathological Society, August 2013 in Austin, TX
Colorado Onion Association, January 2013 in Eaton, CO
National Allium Research Conference, December 2012 in Las Cruces, NM
American Phytopathological Society, August 2012 in Providence, RI
Colorado Onion Association, January 2011 in Eaton, CO
National Allium Research Conference, December 2010 in Reno, NV
Bean Improvement Cooperative Conference, October 2009 in Fort Collins, CO
National Allium Research Conference, December 2008 in Savannah, GA
Human Pathogens on Plants, 2008 in Fort Collins, CO
PUBLICATIONS
Szostek, S., Schwartz, HF. 2011. A New Research Technique for Thrips and IYSV. Onion World.
July/Aug;27(5):14-15.
S.A. Szostek and H.F. Schwartz with Spanish translation by Dr. V.R. Velazquez.
Onion: Iris Yellow Spot Virus
Printed and distributed by Nunhems, 4 pages.
Szostek, S., Schwartz, H. F. Generating clean thrips colonies and quantifying IYSV in onion. Proceedings
of National Allium Research Conference, Reno, NV, December 2010.
Refereed:
H.F. Schwartz, D.H. Gent, S.M. Fichtner, K. Otto, C.O. Boateng, S. Szostek, W.S. Cranshaw, and L.A.
Mahaffey. 2014. Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Iris yellow spot virus associated
onion transplants, onion volunteers, and weeds in Colorado. Southwestern Entomologist Dec 39(4).
with
H. F. Schwartz, D. Alston, J. Alwang, M. Bartolo, T. Blunt, C. O. Boateng, B. Bunn, C. S. Cramer, W.
Cranshaw, J. Davidson, M. Derie, J. Doran, K. Douce, D. Drost, L. J. du Toit, J. Gao, T. Gourd, B.
Gugino, B. Hammon, J. Hardin, M. Hausbeck, G. Jibilian, J. Lafferty, J. LaForest, M. S. McMillan, S. K.
Mohan, J. Morrice, B. A. Nault, C. Nischwitz, G.Norton, K. Otto, H. R. Pappu, M. Petersen, R.
Sampangi, B. Schroeder, W. Secor, S. Szostek, N. Tisserat, M. E. Uchanski, J. VanKirk, T. Waters, P.
Wiriyajitsomboon, and C. Wohleb. Onion ipmPIPE: A coordinated effort to improve the management of
onion thrips and Iris yellow spot virus for the U.S. onion industry. 2014. Plant Health Progress 15:172183. doi:10.1094/PHP-FE-14-0026.
Donner AJ, Hoover JM, Szostek SA, Espinosa JM. 2007. Stimulus-specific transcriptional regulation
within
the p53 network. Cell Cycle. 2007 Nov 1;6(21):2594-8. Epub 2007 Aug 13.
Donner AJ, Szostek S, Hoover JM, Espinosa JM. 2007. CDK8 is a stimulus-specific positive coregulator of p53
target genes. Mol Cell. Jul 6;27(1):121-33.
Gomes NP, Bjerke G, Llorente B, Szostek SA, Emerson BM, Espinosa JM. 2006. Gene-specific requirement for
P-TEFb activity and RNA polymerase II phosphorylation within the p53 transcriptional program. Genes
Dev. Mar 1;20(5):601-12.
Other Publications:
Reddin, K. and Szostek, S. 2013. Nutritional and culinary review. Pp. 8 – 11. In, Onion Health Management
and Production. Edited by H. F. Schwartz and M. E. Bartolo. 104 pp. Colorado State University
Bulletin. Fort Collins, CO.
Schwartz, H. F., Otto, K., Szostek, S., Boateng, C., Cranshaw, W. S., Camper, M. A., and Mahaffey,
L. 2008. Thrips and IYSV sources in Colorado onion production systems. Invited Paper
Presentation, Pp. 44-47 in: Proceedings of National Allium Research Conference, Savannah, GA,
December.
POSTERS and PRESENTATIONS
Poster presentation: Szostek, S. and Schwartz, H.F. 2014. Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal
Amplification of Iris Yellow Spot Virus. American Phytopathological Society, August 12, 2014.
Poster: Hardin, J., Cranshaw, W., and Szostek, S. 2013. Thrips associated with the environs of onion fields in
Colorado. American Entomological Society, November 12, 2013.
Poster presentation: Szostek, S. and Schwartz, H.F. 2013. Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) and Iris Yellow Spot
Virus survival throughout Colorado winters. American Phytopathological Society, August 12, 2013.
Poster presentation: Szostek, S. and Schwartz, H.F. 2012. Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) infected with Iris Yellow
Spot Virus survive Colorado winters. National Allium Research Conference, December 12 and 13, 2012.
Poster presentation: Szostek, S. and Schwartz, H.F. 2012. Overwintering onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) are a
source of Iris yellow spot virus in Colorado. American Phytopathological Society, August 7, 2012.
Departmental seminar: “Generating Clean Thrips Colonies and Quantifying IYSV in Onion, ” Department of
Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Fort Collins CO, 2010.
Conference presentation: “Generating Clean Thrips Colonies and Quantifying IYSV in Onion,” National Allium
Research Conference, Reno, NV2010.
OUTREACH and SERVICE
Gillette Entomology Club, outreach and arthropod presentations, 2011-2014
2011-2014 Fossil Ridge High School
2011-2013 Ag Day
2012-2013 Gardens at Spring Creek
2011-2013 Chemistry Club's Mad Scientist Halloween
2012-2014 Shepardson Elementary School STEM Night
2012 Braiden Hall, Summit Hall
2012 Bug Bash
2012 Centi-bration of Entomology
Gillette Entomology Club, treasurer, 2009, 2011-2012
Celebrate Undergraduate Research & Creativity Poster Session, Judge, 2011
St. Joseph Catholic School Science Fair, Judge, 2011 - 2012
Ram Welcome Street Fair, BSPM Representative, 2011 - 2013
Planting Science, Mentor, 2010
Student Liaison Committee, Chair, Student Representative at departmental meetings 2009 - 2011