Mara Lee Cashay Cloutier
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
mcashay@gmail.com
The Pennsylvania State University
(828) 708-3490
215 ASI Bldg, University Park, PA 16802
Education:
2021
Ph.D. Dual-Title Soil Science and Biogeochemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Prof. Mary Ann Bruns
Toward understanding the impact of management practices on soil microbial nitrogen dynamics in agroecosystems
2016
M.S. in Biology, Cellular and Molecular concentration, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, Prof. Suzanna Bräuer
Microbial community analysis coupled with geochemical studies reveal factors affecting biotic Mn(II) oxidation in situ
2014
B.S. in Biology, The University of North Carolina- Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
2011
Associate of Science, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
Research Experience:
Present-2021
Project Manager and Scientist, Soil Health Institute
Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration project associated with the Dairy Net Zero Initiative
Present-2016
Graduate Research Fellow, Dr. Mary Ann Bruns Lab, mvb10@psu.edu
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University
2016-2014
Graduate Research Assistant, Dr. Suzanna Bräuer Lab, brauersl@appstate.edu
Department of Biology, Appalachian State University
2014
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Dr. Patrick Erwin Lab, erwinp@uncw.edu
Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Teaching Experience:
Present-2019-
Data Analysis Working Group (DAWG) Workshop Leader
Processing/filtering 16S amplicon sequences for downstream analyses, Spring 2021
Hierarchical clustering of 16S amplicon sequences, Spring 2020
Incorporating PICRUSt2 into 16S data analyses, Spring 2020
Data analysis of 16S amplicon data, Fall 2019
Incorporating ancillary metadata into ITS amplicon analysis, Spring 2019
ITS pyrosequence process/filtering and alpha-diversity analyses, Spring 2019
2020
Workshop Organizer and Leader, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Meeting
Microbiome Amplicon Sequence Analysis Pipeline in R
2020
Guest Lecturer CEE 497B/573 Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
How microbes can alleviate climate change effects on agriculture
2020
Guest Lecturer AGECO201 Plant Science, Agroecology, Penn State
Cover crops and their services in agroecosystems
2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant Soils 101, Introduction to Soil Science, Penn State
Developed and presented demonstrations and lectures.
2016
Adjunct Faculty, Microbiology Laboratory Bio3308, Appalachian State University
Trained biology students how to use aseptic techniques when performing research on microbes and facilitated the students with in-lab exercises and independent projects
2015-2014
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Biology in Society Laboratory Bio1203, Appalachian State University
Demonstrated how the process of science can be applied to career pathways other than biology. Examined how scientific research can apply to the health and well-being of students and their environments
DEI Services and Workshops:
2021
Farmer Citizen Food Policy Certificate, Arizona State University
2020
Organized and lead book club on injustices and racism shaping outdoor spaces
2020
Co-lead search for DEI chair and subcommittee for ESM GSO
2020
Organized and participated in a workshop on “Microaggressions: from confusion to clarity”
2019
Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium workshop organizer and facilitator “Having an active role in increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM fields”
Scientific Publications:
Cloutier, M.L., Murrell, E., Kaye, J., Barbercheck, M., Finney, D., Gonzalez, I.G., Bruns, M.A., Fungal assemblages and functions shaped by brassicaceous crops and soil texture in a multi-species cover crop experiment. Scientific Reports (2020) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63173-7
Cloutier, M.L., Chatterjee, D., Elango, D., Cui, J., Bruns, M.A. Chopra, S. Sorghum root flavonoid chemistry, cultivar, and frost stress effects on rhizosphere bacteria and fungi. Phytobiomes Journal (2020) DOI: 10.1094/PBIOMES-01-20-0013-FI
Cloutier, M.L., Bhowmik, A., Bell, T.H., Bruns, M.A. Innovative technologies can improve understanding of microbial nitrogen dynamics in agricultural soils. Agricultural and Environmental Letters (2019) DOI: 10.2134/ael2019.08.0032
Bhowmik, A., Cloutier, M.L., Ball, E.P., Bruns, M.A. Underexplored microbial metabolisms for enhanced nutrient recycling in agricultural soils. AIMs Microbiology (2017) 3(4): 826-845. DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2017.4.826
Cloutier, M.L., Carmichael, S.K., Carson, M.A., Madritch, M.D., Brauer, S.L. Carbon quantity and quality drives variation in cave microbial communities and regulates Mn(II) oxidation. Biogeochemistry (2017) 134:77 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-017-0343-8
Extension Articles:
Borrelli, K., Bell, T., Isbell, S., Fleishman, S., Kaminsky, L., and Cloutier, M. 2021. Understanding and Managing Soil Microbes. Penn State Extension, https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-and-managing-soil-microbes
Kaminsky, L., Cloutier, M., Fleishman, S., Isbell, S., Borrelli, K., Bell, T. Soil microbes in organic cropping systems 101. eOrganic, http://eorganic.org/node/34601
Isbell, S., Fleishman, S., Cloutier, M., Kaminsky, L., Borrelli, K., Bell, T. Management of soil microbes on organic farms. eOrganic, http://eorganic.org/node/34646
Grants and Fellowships:
2019
Pre-doctoral Fellowship, USDA-NIFA-$120,000
2019
Graduate Student Travel Grant, Pennsylvania State University-$500
2018
Northeast SARE Graduate Student Research Grant, NESARE-$14,964
2016
Office of Student Research Travel Grant, Appalachian State University-$250
2015
Office of Student Research Travel Grant, Appalachian State University-$250
2015
On To the Future Program Travel Grant, Geological Society of America-$525
2015
Office of Student Research, Appalachian State University, Research Grant-$300
2015
Philip M. Smith Graduate Research Grant for Cave and Karst Research, Cave Research Foundation-$2500
2015
Graduate Student Research Grant, Geological Society of America-$1425
2014
Creating a Healthy, Just and Sustainable society, Appalachian State University-$496
2014
Office of Student Research, Appalachian State University, Research Grant-$300
2014
Cratis D. Williams Graduate Research Grant, Appalachian State University-$496
2014
Graduate Student Association Senate, Appalachian State University-$200
2014
Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, University of North Carolina- Wilmington-$300
Awards and Scholarships:
2021
ASA, CSSA, SSSA Future Leaders in Science Award
2020
C. Reese Berdanier Endowed Award, Penn State- $1,500
2020
Tag-Along Travel Award, Penn State- $1,000
2019
Environmental Chemistry & Microbiology Student Symposium, 2nd place poster award
2018
Clark Soil Biology Graduate Student Scholarship, SSSA- $3,000
2018
Tag-Along Travel Award- $1,000
2016
Katherine M. McKenna Scholarship, The Pennsylvania State University- $2,000
2013
Dean’s list, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Extension Activities:
2020
Soil biology and why it matters in the context of soil health, Discussions with Farmer Cooperators
2019
Management impacts on N2O emission from agroecosystems, Ag Progress Days, Penn State University
2019
Cover crop effects on fungal communities in bulk soils, Organic Systems Field Day, Penn State University
Professional Service:
Present- 2019
Data Analysis Working Group (DAWG) founder and organizer www.github.com/maracashay
2020
Social Chair, ESM Graduate Student Organization
2020
Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium organizing committee member
2019
Faculty liaison and alumni representative, ESM Graduate Student Organization
2019-2018
Biogeochemistry dual-title degree communications manager
2018
Troubleshooting dada2 pipeline in R workshop, Microbiome Center, Penn State
2018
Co-chair for the Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium
2018
PPEM 440 Guest Lecture: How bioinformatics has transformed my graduate experience
2018
Panel facilitator for Building Sustainable Urban Communities From the Ground Up workshop
2017
ESM R Users Group founder and meeting coordinator
2017
Graduate Student Ambassador to the Pennsylvania State University
2017
Graduate Student Representative for annual Graduate School Panel Discussion
Outreach and Volunteer Work:
2020
Community garden workdays volunteer
2019-2018
Envision: STEM Career Day for Girls, Penn State, PA, The Lemon Battery Challenge Workshop Assistant
2019-2017
4-H Wildlife and Forestry Field day- Microbial Ecology Activity Coordinator
2017
Invited Talk to The Nittany Grotto, Inc. “Human impacts on fauna and processes in caves”.
2017
World Soil Day - Penn State, PA, Event Coordinator
2017
Central PA People’s Climate Day- State College, PA, Ask A Scientist
2017
Earth Day Birthday at Millbrook Marsh- Microbiology Activity Leader
2016
Mountain Alliance, Caving with Scientists- Activity Leader, Johnston City, TN
Advising:
Undergraduates at The Pennsylvania State University:
2020-2018
Tyler Bailey, Inorganic N dynamics of no-till soils managed with diverse cover crops
2018-2017
Ana Turosky, Isolation and identification of microorganisms from raw manure and agricultural soils
Undergraduates at Appalachian State University:
2016-2014
Andrew Hughes, Isolation and identification of Mn(II)-oxidizing microorganisms from caves in the southern Appalachian Mountains
2016-2014
Jacob Montgomery, Identifying the Mn(II)-oxidizing potential of microorganisms in the presence of heavy metals
2015
Javier Cattle, Culturing of Mn(II)-oxidizing fungi from caves in the southern Appalachian Mountains
2014
Michael Rojas-Steinbrecher, Field analysis and culturing of Mn(II)-oxidizing microorganisms in caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains
International Experience:
2018
Trip chaperone for ‘Coevolution of Land and People of Ireland’ undergraduate study abroad class
Professional Presentations:
2020
Mara Cloutier, Kristy Borrelli, Mary Ann Bruns. Microbiomes are complicated: how can we better communicate their importance to the agricultural community? ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Mara Cloutier, Heather Karsten, Tiffanie Alcaide, Mary Ann Bruns. Above ground disturbances impact below ground nitrogen cycling in rhizospheres of alfalfa and orchard grass, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Arnab Bhowmik, Mara Cloutier, Terrence Bell, Heather Karsten, Curtis Dell, Mary Ann Bruns. Impact of soil and manure management on nitrate ammonifying bacteria and greenhouse gas emissions, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Mary Ann Bruns, Mara Cloutier, Curtis Dell, Heather Karsten. Soil biogeochemical responses to legume crop termination, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Bert Eardly, Mara Cloutier, Taejung Chung, Sofia Roitman, Fabricio Vieira, Mary Ann Bruns. Fungal microbiomes of Pitch Pine roots grown in metalliferous soils, Microbiome Center, Penn State
2019
Mara Cloutier, Iffa Jafoor, Dinakaran Elango, Jin Cui, Debamayla Chatterjee, Mary Ann Bruns, Surinder Chopra. Rhizosphere microbial communities of Sorghum bicolor cultivars with contrasting flavonoid production patterns, Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium Penn State
2019
Mara Cloutier, Sjoerd Duiker, Mary Ann Bruns. Microbial N dynamics affected by tillage and root exudation, Gamma Sigma Delta Symposium, Penn State
2019
Mara Cloutier, Iffa Jafoor, Dinakaran Elango, Jin Cui, Debamayla Chatterjee, Mary Ann Bruns, Surinder Chopra. Rhizosphere microbial communities of Sorghum bicolor cultivars with contrasting flavonoid production patterns, Plant and Animals Genomics Conference
2019
Mara Cloutier, Sjoerd Duiker, Mary Ann Bruns. Microbial N dynamics affected by tillage and root exudation, International Soils Meeting
2019
Mary Ann Bruns, Mara Cloutier, Arnab Bhowmik. Sustaining Biological Activity in Soils as a Strategy for Enhanced Nutrient Delivery to Plants, International Soils Meeting
2018
Mara Cloutier, Ebony Murrell, Mary Barbercheck, Irene Gonzalez, Jason Kaye, Mary Ann Bruns. Investigating fungal diversity in cover cropped agroecosystems, Microbiome Center at Penn State
2018
Mara Cloutier, Sjoerd Duiker, Mary Ann Bruns. Assessing effects of tillage on soil microbial N dynamics and crop N uptake in a 40-year experiment, 21st Penn State Plant Biology Symposium: Wild and Tamed Phytobiomes
2017
Mara Cloutier, Ebony Murrell, Mary Barbercheck, Irene Gonzalez, Jason Kaye, Mary Ann Bruns. Fungal Communities Associated with Cover Cropping in a Tilled Agroecosystem, Northeast Cover Crops Council Meeting at Cornell University
2017
Mara Cloutier, Ebony Murrell, Mary Barbercheck, Irene Gonzalez, Jason Kaye, Mary Ann Bruns, Fungal community structures in tilled agroecosystems: an analysis of cover crop treatments and soil physiochemical parameters, 8th Argonne Soil Metagenomics Meeting
2017
Emily Ball, Arnab Bhowmik, Mara Cloutier, Heather Karsten, Mary Ann Bruns. Soil redox potential in manured and cover-cropped soils, Sustainable Cropping Systems Symposium
2016
Mara Cloutier, Andrew Hughes, Michael Carson, Sarah K. Carmichael, Suzanna L. Brauer. Caves, carbon, enzymes, manganese: spelunking my way through the biogeochemical cycling web, American Society for Microbiology (Alleghany Branch)
2016
Hiroyuki Kashima, Arnab Bhowmik, Mara Cloutier, Emily Ball, John Regan, Mary Ann Bruns. Metagenomic analyses of prokaryotic functional genes increase understanding of nitrogen cycling: the case of nrfA in soils and bio-wastes, American Society for Microbiology (Allegheny Branch)
2016
Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Michael A. Carson, Suzanna L. Brauer. Mn-oxidizing microbial community responses to exogenous carbon in caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors, Appalachian State University
2016
Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Michael A. Carson, Suzanna L. Brauer. Mn-oxidizing communities in caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Southeastern Biogeochemistry Symposium
2016
Andrew B. Hughes, Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Suzanna L. Brauer. Mn-oxidizing isolates affiliated with genera not previously known to contain Mn-oxidizers, Southeastern Biogeochemistry Symposium
2015
Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Bryan T. Zorn, Suzanna L. Brauer. Impact of exogenous nutrients on Mn-oxidizing microbial consortia among caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Geological Society of America
2015
Mara L. Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Bryan T. Zorn, Michael A. Carson, Nathan Basiliko, Suzanna L. Bräuer. Response of bacterial Mn(II)-oxidizing consortia to exogenous carbon sources in caves in the southern Appalachian Mountains, American Society for Microbiology (North Carolina Branch)
Other Services:
Reviewer for Frontiers in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, PeerJ, Rhizosphere, Plant Disease
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
mcashay@gmail.com
The Pennsylvania State University
(828) 708-3490
215 ASI Bldg, University Park, PA 16802
Education:
2021
Ph.D. Dual-Title Soil Science and Biogeochemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Prof. Mary Ann Bruns
Toward understanding the impact of management practices on soil microbial nitrogen dynamics in agroecosystems
2016
M.S. in Biology, Cellular and Molecular concentration, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, Prof. Suzanna Bräuer
Microbial community analysis coupled with geochemical studies reveal factors affecting biotic Mn(II) oxidation in situ
2014
B.S. in Biology, The University of North Carolina- Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
2011
Associate of Science, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
Research Experience:
Present-2021
Project Manager and Scientist, Soil Health Institute
Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration project associated with the Dairy Net Zero Initiative
Present-2016
Graduate Research Fellow, Dr. Mary Ann Bruns Lab, mvb10@psu.edu
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University
- Assessed the impact of agricultural management on soil microbial communities and microbial functions to identify best practices for decreased nutrient losses and increased soil health
2016-2014
Graduate Research Assistant, Dr. Suzanna Bräuer Lab, brauersl@appstate.edu
Department of Biology, Appalachian State University
- Investigated the effects of exogenous carbon sources on the microbial ecology among manganese oxide deposits within caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains
2014
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Dr. Patrick Erwin Lab, erwinp@uncw.edu
Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
- Operated independently to identify the cyanobacterial symbionts that colonized sponges in the Bahamas
Teaching Experience:
Present-2019-
Data Analysis Working Group (DAWG) Workshop Leader
Processing/filtering 16S amplicon sequences for downstream analyses, Spring 2021
Hierarchical clustering of 16S amplicon sequences, Spring 2020
Incorporating PICRUSt2 into 16S data analyses, Spring 2020
Data analysis of 16S amplicon data, Fall 2019
Incorporating ancillary metadata into ITS amplicon analysis, Spring 2019
ITS pyrosequence process/filtering and alpha-diversity analyses, Spring 2019
2020
Workshop Organizer and Leader, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Meeting
Microbiome Amplicon Sequence Analysis Pipeline in R
2020
Guest Lecturer CEE 497B/573 Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
How microbes can alleviate climate change effects on agriculture
2020
Guest Lecturer AGECO201 Plant Science, Agroecology, Penn State
Cover crops and their services in agroecosystems
2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant Soils 101, Introduction to Soil Science, Penn State
Developed and presented demonstrations and lectures.
2016
Adjunct Faculty, Microbiology Laboratory Bio3308, Appalachian State University
Trained biology students how to use aseptic techniques when performing research on microbes and facilitated the students with in-lab exercises and independent projects
2015-2014
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Biology in Society Laboratory Bio1203, Appalachian State University
Demonstrated how the process of science can be applied to career pathways other than biology. Examined how scientific research can apply to the health and well-being of students and their environments
DEI Services and Workshops:
2021
Farmer Citizen Food Policy Certificate, Arizona State University
2020
Organized and lead book club on injustices and racism shaping outdoor spaces
2020
Co-lead search for DEI chair and subcommittee for ESM GSO
2020
Organized and participated in a workshop on “Microaggressions: from confusion to clarity”
2019
Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium workshop organizer and facilitator “Having an active role in increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM fields”
Scientific Publications:
Cloutier, M.L., Murrell, E., Kaye, J., Barbercheck, M., Finney, D., Gonzalez, I.G., Bruns, M.A., Fungal assemblages and functions shaped by brassicaceous crops and soil texture in a multi-species cover crop experiment. Scientific Reports (2020) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63173-7
Cloutier, M.L., Chatterjee, D., Elango, D., Cui, J., Bruns, M.A. Chopra, S. Sorghum root flavonoid chemistry, cultivar, and frost stress effects on rhizosphere bacteria and fungi. Phytobiomes Journal (2020) DOI: 10.1094/PBIOMES-01-20-0013-FI
Cloutier, M.L., Bhowmik, A., Bell, T.H., Bruns, M.A. Innovative technologies can improve understanding of microbial nitrogen dynamics in agricultural soils. Agricultural and Environmental Letters (2019) DOI: 10.2134/ael2019.08.0032
Bhowmik, A., Cloutier, M.L., Ball, E.P., Bruns, M.A. Underexplored microbial metabolisms for enhanced nutrient recycling in agricultural soils. AIMs Microbiology (2017) 3(4): 826-845. DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2017.4.826
Cloutier, M.L., Carmichael, S.K., Carson, M.A., Madritch, M.D., Brauer, S.L. Carbon quantity and quality drives variation in cave microbial communities and regulates Mn(II) oxidation. Biogeochemistry (2017) 134:77 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-017-0343-8
Extension Articles:
Borrelli, K., Bell, T., Isbell, S., Fleishman, S., Kaminsky, L., and Cloutier, M. 2021. Understanding and Managing Soil Microbes. Penn State Extension, https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-and-managing-soil-microbes
Kaminsky, L., Cloutier, M., Fleishman, S., Isbell, S., Borrelli, K., Bell, T. Soil microbes in organic cropping systems 101. eOrganic, http://eorganic.org/node/34601
Isbell, S., Fleishman, S., Cloutier, M., Kaminsky, L., Borrelli, K., Bell, T. Management of soil microbes on organic farms. eOrganic, http://eorganic.org/node/34646
Grants and Fellowships:
2019
Pre-doctoral Fellowship, USDA-NIFA-$120,000
2019
Graduate Student Travel Grant, Pennsylvania State University-$500
2018
Northeast SARE Graduate Student Research Grant, NESARE-$14,964
2016
Office of Student Research Travel Grant, Appalachian State University-$250
2015
Office of Student Research Travel Grant, Appalachian State University-$250
2015
On To the Future Program Travel Grant, Geological Society of America-$525
2015
Office of Student Research, Appalachian State University, Research Grant-$300
2015
Philip M. Smith Graduate Research Grant for Cave and Karst Research, Cave Research Foundation-$2500
2015
Graduate Student Research Grant, Geological Society of America-$1425
2014
Creating a Healthy, Just and Sustainable society, Appalachian State University-$496
2014
Office of Student Research, Appalachian State University, Research Grant-$300
2014
Cratis D. Williams Graduate Research Grant, Appalachian State University-$496
2014
Graduate Student Association Senate, Appalachian State University-$200
2014
Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, University of North Carolina- Wilmington-$300
Awards and Scholarships:
2021
ASA, CSSA, SSSA Future Leaders in Science Award
2020
C. Reese Berdanier Endowed Award, Penn State- $1,500
2020
Tag-Along Travel Award, Penn State- $1,000
2019
Environmental Chemistry & Microbiology Student Symposium, 2nd place poster award
2018
Clark Soil Biology Graduate Student Scholarship, SSSA- $3,000
2018
Tag-Along Travel Award- $1,000
2016
Katherine M. McKenna Scholarship, The Pennsylvania State University- $2,000
2013
Dean’s list, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Extension Activities:
2020
Soil biology and why it matters in the context of soil health, Discussions with Farmer Cooperators
2019
Management impacts on N2O emission from agroecosystems, Ag Progress Days, Penn State University
2019
Cover crop effects on fungal communities in bulk soils, Organic Systems Field Day, Penn State University
Professional Service:
Present- 2019
Data Analysis Working Group (DAWG) founder and organizer www.github.com/maracashay
2020
Social Chair, ESM Graduate Student Organization
2020
Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium organizing committee member
2019
Faculty liaison and alumni representative, ESM Graduate Student Organization
2019-2018
Biogeochemistry dual-title degree communications manager
2018
Troubleshooting dada2 pipeline in R workshop, Microbiome Center, Penn State
2018
Co-chair for the Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium
2018
PPEM 440 Guest Lecture: How bioinformatics has transformed my graduate experience
2018
Panel facilitator for Building Sustainable Urban Communities From the Ground Up workshop
2017
ESM R Users Group founder and meeting coordinator
2017
Graduate Student Ambassador to the Pennsylvania State University
2017
Graduate Student Representative for annual Graduate School Panel Discussion
Outreach and Volunteer Work:
2020
Community garden workdays volunteer
2019-2018
Envision: STEM Career Day for Girls, Penn State, PA, The Lemon Battery Challenge Workshop Assistant
2019-2017
4-H Wildlife and Forestry Field day- Microbial Ecology Activity Coordinator
2017
Invited Talk to The Nittany Grotto, Inc. “Human impacts on fauna and processes in caves”.
2017
World Soil Day - Penn State, PA, Event Coordinator
2017
Central PA People’s Climate Day- State College, PA, Ask A Scientist
2017
Earth Day Birthday at Millbrook Marsh- Microbiology Activity Leader
2016
Mountain Alliance, Caving with Scientists- Activity Leader, Johnston City, TN
Advising:
Undergraduates at The Pennsylvania State University:
2020-2018
Tyler Bailey, Inorganic N dynamics of no-till soils managed with diverse cover crops
2018-2017
Ana Turosky, Isolation and identification of microorganisms from raw manure and agricultural soils
Undergraduates at Appalachian State University:
2016-2014
Andrew Hughes, Isolation and identification of Mn(II)-oxidizing microorganisms from caves in the southern Appalachian Mountains
2016-2014
Jacob Montgomery, Identifying the Mn(II)-oxidizing potential of microorganisms in the presence of heavy metals
2015
Javier Cattle, Culturing of Mn(II)-oxidizing fungi from caves in the southern Appalachian Mountains
2014
Michael Rojas-Steinbrecher, Field analysis and culturing of Mn(II)-oxidizing microorganisms in caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains
International Experience:
2018
Trip chaperone for ‘Coevolution of Land and People of Ireland’ undergraduate study abroad class
Professional Presentations:
2020
Mara Cloutier, Kristy Borrelli, Mary Ann Bruns. Microbiomes are complicated: how can we better communicate their importance to the agricultural community? ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Mara Cloutier, Heather Karsten, Tiffanie Alcaide, Mary Ann Bruns. Above ground disturbances impact below ground nitrogen cycling in rhizospheres of alfalfa and orchard grass, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Arnab Bhowmik, Mara Cloutier, Terrence Bell, Heather Karsten, Curtis Dell, Mary Ann Bruns. Impact of soil and manure management on nitrate ammonifying bacteria and greenhouse gas emissions, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Mary Ann Bruns, Mara Cloutier, Curtis Dell, Heather Karsten. Soil biogeochemical responses to legume crop termination, ASA, CSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting
2019
Bert Eardly, Mara Cloutier, Taejung Chung, Sofia Roitman, Fabricio Vieira, Mary Ann Bruns. Fungal microbiomes of Pitch Pine roots grown in metalliferous soils, Microbiome Center, Penn State
2019
Mara Cloutier, Iffa Jafoor, Dinakaran Elango, Jin Cui, Debamayla Chatterjee, Mary Ann Bruns, Surinder Chopra. Rhizosphere microbial communities of Sorghum bicolor cultivars with contrasting flavonoid production patterns, Environmental Chemistry and Microbiology Student Symposium Penn State
2019
Mara Cloutier, Sjoerd Duiker, Mary Ann Bruns. Microbial N dynamics affected by tillage and root exudation, Gamma Sigma Delta Symposium, Penn State
2019
Mara Cloutier, Iffa Jafoor, Dinakaran Elango, Jin Cui, Debamayla Chatterjee, Mary Ann Bruns, Surinder Chopra. Rhizosphere microbial communities of Sorghum bicolor cultivars with contrasting flavonoid production patterns, Plant and Animals Genomics Conference
2019
Mara Cloutier, Sjoerd Duiker, Mary Ann Bruns. Microbial N dynamics affected by tillage and root exudation, International Soils Meeting
2019
Mary Ann Bruns, Mara Cloutier, Arnab Bhowmik. Sustaining Biological Activity in Soils as a Strategy for Enhanced Nutrient Delivery to Plants, International Soils Meeting
2018
Mara Cloutier, Ebony Murrell, Mary Barbercheck, Irene Gonzalez, Jason Kaye, Mary Ann Bruns. Investigating fungal diversity in cover cropped agroecosystems, Microbiome Center at Penn State
2018
Mara Cloutier, Sjoerd Duiker, Mary Ann Bruns. Assessing effects of tillage on soil microbial N dynamics and crop N uptake in a 40-year experiment, 21st Penn State Plant Biology Symposium: Wild and Tamed Phytobiomes
2017
Mara Cloutier, Ebony Murrell, Mary Barbercheck, Irene Gonzalez, Jason Kaye, Mary Ann Bruns. Fungal Communities Associated with Cover Cropping in a Tilled Agroecosystem, Northeast Cover Crops Council Meeting at Cornell University
2017
Mara Cloutier, Ebony Murrell, Mary Barbercheck, Irene Gonzalez, Jason Kaye, Mary Ann Bruns, Fungal community structures in tilled agroecosystems: an analysis of cover crop treatments and soil physiochemical parameters, 8th Argonne Soil Metagenomics Meeting
2017
Emily Ball, Arnab Bhowmik, Mara Cloutier, Heather Karsten, Mary Ann Bruns. Soil redox potential in manured and cover-cropped soils, Sustainable Cropping Systems Symposium
2016
Mara Cloutier, Andrew Hughes, Michael Carson, Sarah K. Carmichael, Suzanna L. Brauer. Caves, carbon, enzymes, manganese: spelunking my way through the biogeochemical cycling web, American Society for Microbiology (Alleghany Branch)
2016
Hiroyuki Kashima, Arnab Bhowmik, Mara Cloutier, Emily Ball, John Regan, Mary Ann Bruns. Metagenomic analyses of prokaryotic functional genes increase understanding of nitrogen cycling: the case of nrfA in soils and bio-wastes, American Society for Microbiology (Allegheny Branch)
2016
Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Michael A. Carson, Suzanna L. Brauer. Mn-oxidizing microbial community responses to exogenous carbon in caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors, Appalachian State University
2016
Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Michael A. Carson, Suzanna L. Brauer. Mn-oxidizing communities in caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Southeastern Biogeochemistry Symposium
2016
Andrew B. Hughes, Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Suzanna L. Brauer. Mn-oxidizing isolates affiliated with genera not previously known to contain Mn-oxidizers, Southeastern Biogeochemistry Symposium
2015
Mara Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Bryan T. Zorn, Suzanna L. Brauer. Impact of exogenous nutrients on Mn-oxidizing microbial consortia among caves of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Geological Society of America
2015
Mara L. Cashay, Sarah K. Carmichael, Bryan T. Zorn, Michael A. Carson, Nathan Basiliko, Suzanna L. Bräuer. Response of bacterial Mn(II)-oxidizing consortia to exogenous carbon sources in caves in the southern Appalachian Mountains, American Society for Microbiology (North Carolina Branch)
Other Services:
Reviewer for Frontiers in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, PeerJ, Rhizosphere, Plant Disease
