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Marissa R. Lee

marissaruthlee@gmail.com

Motivated researcher and data scientist, well-versed in problem-solving and project management with domain knowledge in plant-microbe biology and statistical applications. Ready to apply over 10 years of experience in computational, lab, and field research to promote data-driven solutions to global challenges.

Education

Ph.D. Duke University, University Program in Ecology, May 2016
Dissertation: “Leaf traits, neighbors, and abiotic factors: Ways that context can mediate the impact of invasive species on nitrogen cycling”

B.A. Swarthmore College, Biology, May 2009
Graduated with High Honors, Minored in Religion

Languages and tools
  • R Programing Language, Expert (10 yrs): tidyr, dplyr, ggplot2, lme4, dada2, phyloseq, & others
  • Python, Beginner (<1 yr)
  • High Performance Computing (5 yrs)
  • Git version control (5 yrs)
  • Microsoft Office (>10 yrs)

Skills

Creative problem-solver: Build bespoke solutions to data and lab challenges
Enthusiastic collaborator: Synthesize views informally and with meta-analysis
Data “whisperer”: Identify meaningful features in big, messy ecological datasets
Statistical “translator”: Translate statistical result to biological meaning
Data communicator & science writer: Publish compelling figures and data-driven narratives

Experience
Postdoctoral Researcher, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (Sept 2018 to Present)
  • Led state-wide survey of switchgrass microbiomes to improve biofuel production, generating two peer-reviewed publications and counting
  • Developed and improved computational and lab protocols, e.g., phylogenetic analysis, PCR amplification clamps, seedling assays
  • Participated in Dr. Christine Hawkes’ research group
Postdoctoral Researcher, The George Washington University, Washington, DC (Sept 2016 to Aug 2018)
  • Designed bioinformatic analyses for wood decay microbiome studies in St. Louis, MO, USA and Hawkesbury, NSW, Australia
  • Applied and adapted bioinformatic and statistical tools for microbiome analysis
  • Translated cutting-edge statistical tools for ecologists interested in microbial interactions
  • Participated in Dr. Amy Zanne’s research group
Environmental Protection Agency-STAR Graduate Student Fellow, Duke University, Durham, NC (Jun 2010 to May 2016)
  • Designed, funded, and ran research on the role of invasive plants in soil fertility
  • Spear-headed a published meta-analysis with researchers at more than eight universities
  • Participated in Dr. Justin Wright’s research group
Teaching Assistant, Duke University, Durham, NC (Jan 2011 to May 2014)
  • Graded, facilitated in-class activities, and led discussions and labs for five courses
Research Technician, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN (May 2009 to May 2010)
  • Assisted with field, greenhouse, and lab-based research
  • Performed soil biogeochemistry assays and plant diversity surveys
  • Participated in Dr. Keith Clay and Dr. Richard Phillips’ research groups

Honors and awards
Selected publications

For a full list of publications, please visit my Google Scholar page

Lee, M.R. & Hawkes, C.V. 2021. Widespread co-occurrence of Sebacinales and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in switchgrass roots and soils has limited dependence on soil carbon or nutrients. Plants, People, Planet, 00: 1-13. DOI: 10.1002/ppp3.10181

Lee, M.R. & Hawkes, C.V. 2020. Plant and soil drivers of whole-plant microbiomes: variation in switchgrass fungi from coastal to mountain sites. Phytobiomes, 00: 1-11. DOI: 10.1094/PBIOMES-07-20-0056-FI

Hestrin, R., Lee, M.R., Whitaker, B.K., & Pett-Ridge, J. 2020. The switchgrass microbiome: A review of the structure, function, and taxonomic distribution. Phytobiomes, 00: 1-62. DOI: 10.1094/PBIOMES-04-20-0029-FI

Lee, M.R., Oberle, B., Olivias, W., Young, D., & Zanne, A.E. 2019. Wood construction more strongly shapes deadwood microbial communities than spatial location over five years of decay. Environmental Microbiology, 22(11): 4702–17. DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15212

Lee, M.R., Bernhardt, E.S., van Bodegom, P.M., Cornelissen, J.H.C., Kattge, J., Laughlin, D.C., Niinemets, U., Penuelas, J., Reich, P.B., Yguel, B., & Wright, J.P. 2016. Invasive species’ leaf traits and dissimilarity from natives shape their impact on nitrogen cycling: a meta-analysis. New Phytologist, 213(1): 128–139. DOI: 10.1111/nph.14115

Selected guest lectures

Lee, M.R. and C. Nell. Version control, tidyR, and R markdown. 17 Sept 2020. Guest lecture for the class “Graduate Seminar – Analyses in R” at George Washington University.

Lee, M.R. Roots: Structure and Function. 5 Mar 2018. Guest lecture for the class “Plant Comparative Structure and Function” at George Washington University.

Lee, M.R. A fresh look at wood-decay fungi: Experimental rot plots and emerging community statistics. 29 Sept 2017. Invited presentation for the Forest GEO Seminar at the Smithsonian Institute