DUSTIN M. RAY, PH.D.

EDUCATION

Ph.D, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 2019 Dissertation: Structure and Function of Petioles in the genus Pelargonium (Geraniaceae; L’Hér.) Advisor: Cynthia S. Jones

M.S, Biological Sciences, California State University, Pomona, 2010
Thesis: Seasonal concentrations of total non-structural carbohydrates in burned and unburned Juglans californica.
Advisors: E.G. Bobich, F.W. Ewers, and K. Bozak

B.A, Biology, Whittier College, 2005

POSITIONS HELD

  • 2023-2025. NIFA AFRI Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Minnesota Duluth
  • 2021-2023 Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Minnesota Duluth (Jessica Savage)
  • 2019-2021 Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Minnesota Duluth (Jessica Savage)
  • 2016-2018 Teaching Assistant, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
  • 2012-2016 Graduate Assistant, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
  • 2008-2010 Teaching Assistant, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

PUBLICATIONS

Ray, D.M. and J.A. Savage 2021. Seasonal changes in temperate woody plant phloem anatomy and physiology: Implications for long-distance transport. AOB Plants. In press.

Ray, D.M. and J.A. Savage. 2020. Immunodetection of cell wall pectin galactan opens up new avenues for phloem research. Plant Physiology. doi: https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.20.00283.

Ray, D.M. and C.S. Jones. 2018. Scaling relationships and vessel packing in petioles. American Journal of Botany 105:1-10. doi: 10.1002/ajb2.1054.

Chock V.Y., G Amir, C.R. Davis, C. Ramamoorthy, K.K. Riemer, D. Ray, R.G. Giffard and M. Reddy. 2006. Antegrade cerebral perfusion reduces apoptotic neuronal injury in a neonatal piglet model of cardiopulmonary bypass. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 131:659-665.

AWARDS, GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

Awards

  • 2016 Katherine Esau Award, Botanical Society of America

Grants

  • 2023 USDA AFRI Postdoctoral Fellowship ($186,000)
  • 2016 Ronald Bamford Fund to the UConn EEB Department ($1500)
  • 2015 Ronald Bamford Fund to the UConn EEB Department ($1500)
  • 2014 Ronald Bamford Fund to the UConn EEB Department ($1500)
  • 2012 California Native Plant Society ($1000)

Fellowships

  • 2018-2019 Crandall-Cordiero Fellowship, University of Connecticut

  • 2015-2018 Outstanding Multicultural Scholar Fellowship, University of Connecticut

  • 2013-2015 NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Fellowship, University of Connecticut

TEACHING EXPERIENCE (INSTRUCTOR OF RECORD IN BOLD)

University of Minnesota Duluth - Biomechanics of Biological Organisms Fall 2022

University of Connecticut - Life Science (non-majors) 2017-2018 - **Undergraduate Seminar (3 semesters) 2016-2018 ** - Introduction to Botany 2014 *California State Polytechnic University, Pomona * * Life Science (non-majors) 2009 - Foundations of Biology II (majors) 2009-2010 - Plant Form and Function 2009-2010 - Cell Physiology 2008-2010

PRESENTATIONS (PRESENTER IN BOLD)

Invited Talks

2022 ** Ray, D.M.** University of Minnesota Duluth Department Seminar 2021 ** Ray, D.M. ** Of Petioles and Phloem: Integrating plant anatomy and physiology. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Biology Department Seminar. 2019 Ray, D.M. Mechanical and physiological traits do not trade off in petioles. Twin Ports Early Career Researchers Spring Symposium

Oral Presentations at Major Conferences

2018 Ray, D.M. and C.S. Jones, Mechanical and physiological traits do not trade off in petioles. Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting

2016 Ray, D.M. and C.S. Jones Scaling relationships and vessel packing in petioles. Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting

2009 Ray D.M., F.W. Ewers and E.G. Bobich. Seasonal changes in nonstructural carbohydrates in stems and lignotubers of burned and unburned southern California black walnut (Juglans californica). Botanical Society of America Annual Meeting

Poster Presentations

2024 Ray, D.M. and J.A. Savage 2018 Ray, D.M. and J.A. Savage. Spring phenology in relation to vascular cambium reactivation. Plant Vascular Biology Meeting

2016 Ray, D.M. and C.S. Jones. Scaling Relationships and vessel packing in petioles. Multiscale Plant Vascular Biology Gordon Research Conference

2016 Ray, D.M. and C.S. Jones. Allometric scaling relationships in petioles. Self-Organized Complexity of Shape Symposium, Australian National University, Canberra, New South Wales, Australia

OUTREACH

  • 2023- present Planting Science Mentor
  • 2017 UConn Majors Exploration Week – UConn Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Greenhouse Tour Guide
    • Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium – Application Judge
  • 2016 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium – Poster Judge
  • 2015 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium – Poster Judge
  • 2014 Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium – Application Selection Committee

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Reviewer: Botanical Society of America, Applications in Plant Science, Planta, New Phytologist

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Association for the Advancement of Science International Association of Wood Anatomists Botanical Society of America Ecological Society of America