Shantel A. Martinez

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Wheat Molecular Genetics | Preharvest Sprouting

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Postdoctoral Fellow in Plant Breeding and Genetics

I am a quantitative crop scientist with a research focus on wheat genetics at Cornell University. I am seeking to continue accelerating genetic gain with my plant breeding knowledge, statistical genomics, and passion for data analytics. Being able to communicate science across disciplines and cultivating a collaborative work environment are fundemental career philosophies.

EDUCATION

Ph.D.     Molecular Plant Science           Washington State University, Pullman WA 2018
M.S.       Crop Science                              Washington State University, Pullman WA2013
B.S.        Bioengineering                          Washington State University, Pullman WA2011

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Crop Genetics and Prediction Modeling 2018 - Present
Post-doc | Dr. Mark E. Sorrells Cornell University
Producing genomic prediction models on large-scale wheat genomic and phenotypic datasets to reduce grain sprouting when cool and wet weather conditions occur right before harvest.

Improving Germplasm Resources for the Northwest 2013 - 2018
PhD | Dr. Camille M. Steber Washington State University
Identified 12 new genetic locations that WSU and USDA wheat breeders immediately used to introgress tolerance into their germplasm. Increased grower knowledge on agronomic best practices were also a result of this project.

Director of Professional Development2016 - 2017
Graduate and Professional Student AssociationWashington State University
Founded and implemented 30 professional development events. Served over 1,800 attendees while I coordinated and lead 11 grad student senators and sat on the PDI and GPSA Executive Boards.

Investigating a PHS Tolerant Wheat2011 - 2013
MS | Dr. Kimberly Garland Campbell Washington State University
Worked with a basic molecular geneticist and an applied wheat breeder to find an effective solution to PHS susceptibility through mutation genetics and field trials.

SKILLS

PLANT BREEDING: variety release, mapping population development, large-scale field data collection and coordination, cereal field agronomy, GWAS, QTL mapping, fine mapping, quantitative genetics, genomic prediction/selection, MAS, PCA, research-based statistics, regression and Bayesian modeling, GLM, MLM
TRANSFERABLE: strong layman communication, data visualization, data manipulation and analysis, team management, project management, professionalism, strong organization, interdisciplinary collaboration, building relationships with top-level leadership
PROGRAMMING:
Daily: R (base, tidyverse, rqtl, gapit, rrblup, bglr, ggplot), SAS, JoinMap, Git, markdown, Jupyter, Excel
Basic: python, unix, HTML, LaTeX, MATLAB

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

  1. Martinez, S.A., O. Shorinola, S. Conselman, D. See, D.Z. Skinner, C. Uauy, and C.M. Steber. (2019). Exome sequencing of bulked segregants identified a novel TaMKK3-A allele linked to the wheat ERA8 ABA-hypersensitive germination phenotype. bioRxiv Preprint 784652. Accepted: TAG
  2. Martinez, S.A., Godoy J., Huang M., Zhang Z., Carter A.H., Garland Campbell, K.A., and Steber, C.M. (2018a). Genome-Wide Association Mapping for Tolerance to Preharvest Sprouting and Low Falling Numbers in Wheat. Frontiers in Plant Science. 9, 1-16.
  3. Martinez, S.A., Thompson A.L., Wen N., Murphy L., Sanquinet K.A., M., Steber, C.M., and Garland Campbell, K. (2018b). Registration of the Louise/Alpowa Wheat Recombinant Inbred Line Mapping Population. Journal of Plant Registrations.
  4. Martinez, S.A., Tuttle, K., Takebayashi, Y., Seo, M., Garland Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2016). The Wheat ABA Hypersensitive ERA8 Mutant is Associated with Increased Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance and Altered Hormone Accumulation. Euphytica. 212, 229-245.
  5. Tuttle, K.M., Martinez, S.A., Schramm, E.C., Takebayashi, Y., Seo, M., and Steber, C.M. (2015). Grain dormancy loss is associated with changes in ABA and GA sensitivity and hormone accumulation in bread wheat, Triticum aestivum (L.). Seed Science Research 1–15.
  6. Martinez, S.A., Schramm, E.C., Harris, T.J., Kidwell, K.K., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2014). Registration of Zak Soft White Spring Wheat Germplasm with Enhanced Response to ABA and Increased Seed Dormancy. Journal of Plant Registrations 8, 217-220.

MENTORING & MANAGEMENT

Advisor
Katherine Roberts, High School Student, Project Award: 1st Place Plant Science 2019
Samantha Beck, Undergraduate, Project Award: 1st Place Molecular Biology 2017
Dustin Cwuick, Undergraduate, Project Award: 2nd Place Molecular Biology 2016

Informal Mentor
6 Graduate Students, Cornell University 2018-present
23 Graduate Students, Washington State University 2014-2018

Field Crew Management
Managing a range of employees (from 2-19) per project 2015-present

TEACHING

Data Visualization: Instructor, ASA, CSSA, SSSA Webinar [pdf] Sp 2020
Purpose: how to create clear and concise visualizations that can describe your results on their own. Class Size: 10-15 students

Methods of Plant Breeding Laboratory (PLBRG 4060):  Guest Instructor, Cornell UniversityFa 2019
Lecture: Fine Mapping and Cloning Genes. Course Purpose: Introduction to breeding methods used by faculty and staff for different species. Class Size: 10-15 students

Effective Teaching Strategies: Student, CIRTL Massive Open Online Courses Sp 2019
Purpose: Active learning through evidence-based STEM teaching

Plant Breeding (CropS 445): Teaching Assistant, Washington State University Sp 2015
Role: grading, guest lecture (2x), assist during activities, help students during office hours and exam review sessions. Course Purpose: Understand the genetic principles underlying plant breeding and gain an introduction to the principles and practices of plant breeding. Class Size: 15-25 students

AWARDS AND FUNDING

NIFA-AFRI Education and Literacy Initiative Grant: Lead PI $165k 2018-2020
PhD research directly assisted funding an AFRI-NIFA Plant Breeding Grant $422k 2016-2017
Molecular Plant Science Senator Excellence Award 2015-2016
GPSA Research Expo - Agriculture & Natural Science 1st place $1k 2016
Teaching Assistantship for Plant Breeding 2015
Distinguished Research Assistantship for Diverse Scholars $23k 2013

COMMUNICATION

INVITED TALKS | TECHNICAL

Genomic Prediction | ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting[pdf] [webinar] 2019
       Audience: Breeders, Seed Biologists, Students, Professionals
Genomic Prediction | Eastern Wheat Quality Council Meeting[pdf] 2019
       Audience: National Millers, Breeders, Scientists
Quality Traits | Western Wheat Quality Meeting, [pdf] 2019
      Audience: East Asian Millers, Seed Distributors, Farmers, Scientists
QTL Mapping | International Seed Science Society Conference [pdf] 2017
      Audience: Seed Scientists, Biologists
GWAS | ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting[pdf] 2016
      Audience: National & International Scientists
Seed Biology | Plant and Animal Genome Conference [pdf] 2016
      Audience: Geneticists, Breeders, Scientist

OUTREACH | NON-TECHNICAL

Twitter @s_amealia | Audience: Breeders, Graduate Students, Data Scientists -
Instagram @s_amealia | Audience: Public, Parents, Family, Students -
Small Grains Field Days | Audience: Farmers, Breeders, Pathologists 2018
Grow NYC Variety Showcase | Audience: Chefs, Public, Fresh Market Buyers 2018
WSU Extension Wheat Academy Workshop | Audience: Producers, Farmers 2017

PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS ATTENDED

Great Lakes Plant Breeding Initiative2019
Science Communication Workshop 2019
Teaching Portfolio Institute 2019
Future Professors Institute 2018
Data Carpentry Workshop: R and Git 2017
Genome-wide Association Analysis Workshop 2015
Software Carpentry Workshop: Unix and Python 2014

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Journal Peer Reviewer: Agronomy, Molecular Breeding, Plants, TAG 2018-2019
Corteva Plant Breeding Symposium: Host speakers, implementation of symposium2019
MPS Senator: Oversaw $600k budget, maintained updates between program & GPSA 2015-2016
LS Alliance for Minority Participation: Volunteer, mentor 2011-2016
WSU Upward Bound Internship Program: Recruiter, volunteer, mentor 2009-2015

MEETING ABSTRACTS:

  1. Martinez, S.A., and Sorrells, M.E. (2019) Identifying Loci and Genomic Prediction Models for PHS Tolerance in Northeast Soft Wheat Breeding Programs. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, Nov 12, San Antonio, TX. Presentation
  2. Martinez, S.A., Nelson, S., Oliver, M.J., and Sorrells, M.E. (2019) Fine-Mapping and Characterizing the Qphs.Cnl-2B.1 found in a Northeast Soft White Wheat. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, Nov 12, San Antonio, TX. Poster
  3. Steber, C.M., Martinez, S.A., Shorinola, O., and Uauy, C., (2019) Bulked-Segregant Analysis of Exome-Sequence Identified TaMKK3-a As a Candidate for the Wheat ABA Hypersensitive ERA8 Gene. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, Nov 12, San Antonio, TX. Co-Author Presentation
  4. Martinez, S.A., and Sorrells, M.E. (2019) Identifying Loci and Genomic Prediction Models for PHS Tolerance in Northeast Soft Wheat Breeding Programs. Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory Annual Research Review, Apr 23, Raeigh, NC. Presentation
  5. Martinez, S.A., Godoy J., Huang M., Zhang Z., Carter A.H., Garland Campbell, K.A., and Steber, C.M. (2019). The First Step to Tackling the FN Problem: Identifying Tolerant Genes/QTL in PNW Germplasm. FN Workshop, Jan 30, Portland, OR. Presentation
  6. Martinez, S.A., Shorinola, O., Conselman, S.R., Skinner D.Z., See, D., Garland Campbell, K., Uauy, C., and Steber, C.M. (2017). Identification of a Locus Corresponding to the Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance Mutant, ERA8, in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). 12th Triennial International Seed Science Society Conference, Sept 14, Monterey, CA. Presentation
  7. Martinez, S.A., Beck, S.R., Skinner D.Z., See D., Carter, A.H., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2017). Identification of a Locus Corresponding to the Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance Gene ERA8 in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Dryland Field Day Abstracts, Highlights of Research Progress, Jun 15, Lind, WA.
  8. Martinez, S.A., Jernigan, K.L., Parveen, R.S., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2016). Genome-wide Association Mapping of Preharvest Sprouting in PNW White Winter Wheat. ASA, CSSA & SSSA International Annual Meeting, Nov 6, Phoenix, AZ. Presentation
  9. Martinez, S.A., Parveen, R.S., Garland-Campbell, K., Carter, A.H., and Steber, C.M. (2016). Looking at Falling Numbers and Sprouting Scores to Determine Preharvest Sprouting Susceptibility and Tolerance in PNW Winter Wheat. Dryland Field Day Abstracts, Highlights of Research Progress, Jun 16, Lind, WA.
  10. Cwick, DJ., Martinez, S.A., Parveen, R.S., and Steber, C.M. (2016). Understanding Seed Dormancy Breaking Methods in PNW Wheat to Prevent Preharvest Sprouting. SURCA, Mar 28, Pullman, WA. Poster
  11. Martinez, S.A., Tuttle, K., Seo, M., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2016). Higher Seed Dormancy and ABA Sensitivity Improves Wheat Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance. PAG, Jan 12 San Diego, CA. Presentation
  12. Martinez, S.A., Jernigan, K.L., Parveen, R.S., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2016). Genome-wide Association Mapping of Preharvest Sprouting in PNW White Winter Wheat. PAG, Jan 11, San Diego, CA. Poster
  13. Martinez, S.A., Parveen, R.S., Garland-Campbell, K., Pumphrey, M.O., Carter, A.H., and Steber, C.M. (2015). Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance and Susceptibility in PNW Winter Wheat. Dryland Field Day Abstracts, Highlights of Research Progress, June 11, Lind, WA.
  14. Martinez, S.A., Harris, T.J., Parveen, R.S., Garland-Campbell, K., Carter, A.H., Pumphrey, M.O., Guy, S.O., and Steber, C.M. (2014). Determining Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance and Falling Numbers in Soft White Wheat. Dryland Field Day Abstracts, Highlights of Research Progress, June 12, Lind, WA.
  15. Martinez, S.A., Tuttle, K., Seo, M., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2014). An ABA Hypersensitive Mutants, Zak ERA8, with Increased Seed Dormancy and Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance is Associated with Altered Hormone Content and Sensitivity. ASPB Plant Biology, Portland, OR. Poster
  16. Martinez, S.A., Tuttle, K., Steber, C.M., and Garland-Campbell, K. (2013). Evaluating Seed Dormancy, Hormone Response, and Pre-Harvest Sprouting Tolerance of an ABA Hypersensitive Mutant Zak ERA8. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Annual Meeting, Nov 2-5, Tampa, FL. Presentation
  17. Martinez, S.A., Garland-Campbell, K., Carter, A.H., Pumphrey, M.O., Guy, S.O., and Steber, C.M. (2013). Genetic Variation in Preharvest Sprouting Tolerance. Dryland Field Day Abstracts, Highlights of Research Progress, July 11, Pullman, WA.
  18. Martinez, S., Schramm, E.C., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2012). Evaluating Seed Dormancy and Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance of an ABA Hypersensitive Mutant ZakERA0. WSCS Wheat Workers Meeting, July 11-13, Pullman, WA. Presentation
  19. Schramm, E.C., Martinez, S.A., Garland-Campbell, K., and Steber, C.M. (2012). Identification of New Sources of Genetic Variation for Seed Dormancy and Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance. Dryland Field Day Abstracts, Highlights of Research Progress, July 7, Pullman, WA.
  20. Martinez, S.A., Garland-Campbell, K., Hulbert, S.H., and Steber, C.M. (2012). Discovering Drought Resistance Mechanisms in Wheat. Dryland Field Day Abstracts, Highlights of Research Progress, June 16, Lind, WA.
  21. Martinez, S., Murphy, L., Campbell K., Steber, C., Morris, C., (2010). Determining the Location of Genes Contributing to Supersoft. PNW Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Annual Conference, Seattle, WA. Poster

Contact

Office: Bradfield Hall Rm 420 | Cornell University
Email: sam594@cornell.edu or shantel.a.martinez@gmail.com
Twitter: s_amealia
Google Scholar: publications
LinkedIn: shantel-a-martinez
Github: shantel-martinez
Website: shantel-martinez.github.io