Research Experience in Nairobi Kenya

Hey y’all, I am Autumn McLaughlin, and as many of you know I am currently completing my second year of my masters in Entomology at Auburn University (very close the finish line-yay!).

I study vector-virus-plant interactions resulting in mixed infections, specifically whiteflies vectoring tomato infecting begomoviruses here in the US. Begomoviruses have emerged as leading pathogens that now threaten crops worldwide.
This spring I hope to study abroad/conduct an experiment in Nairobi, Kenya and study Cassava mosaic disease causing begomoviruses (CMD). Co-infection is commonly observed with CMVs, and is responsible for causing the severe pandemic that continues to spread across sub-Saharan Africa.


I have been fortunate enough to be awarded a travel grant, but still need help funding my way to Kenya this spring!


This experience (collected data) will be included in my thesis- Please help me reach my goal to make headway on this epidemic! The research I gather could bring us one step closer to solving this problem.
Thank you, and If you have any questions please comment/message me! I’m more than happy to share my knowledge on this topic.