“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
― Carl Sagan
Jessica's Bio
Jessica graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College in May of 2020 with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and a minor in chemistry. She is currently a member of the Wei Lab at Holden Forests and Gardens (Kirtland, OH).
Jessica's undergraduate research focused on the effects of light interception on photosynthetic capacity of the endangered plant, running buffalo clover (Trifolium stoloniferum). Her broader research interests include how the plant microbiome changes under environmental stress.
Current Projects
https://holdenfg.org/staff/jessica-labella/
Polyploidy Advantage and Environmental Change
https://holdenfg.org/projects/the-perks-of-genome-size-in-a-rapidly-changing-world/
Pollinators and Microbial Assembly on Flowers
https://holdenfg.org/projects/pollinators-mediate-microbiome-assembly-in-flowers/
Microbiomes for Disease Resistance
https://holdenfg.org/projects/harnessing-microbiomes-for-disease-resistance/
Nanoparticle Stress and Plant Microbiome
https://holdenfg.org/projects/emerging-threats-of-nanoparticles-to-plants-and-microbiomes/
Select Publications
Wei N, LaBella J, and Kaufman E. 2021. Leaf fungal microbiome in crabapples: A preliminary study at Holden Arboretum, Ohio. Malus: International Ornamental Crabapple Society Bulletin.
LaBella J, Kovar C. 2020. Recognizing current threats to the biology and habitat of the California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense, and summarizing conservation efforts. 2021. Appalachian Journal of Student Scholarship.
Grants and Awards
Corliss Engle Knapp Scholarship in Horticulture ($3,000) The Garden Club of America. 2021
Norweb Fellowship ($30,000) Holden Forests & Gardens. 2020-2021
