Allison Oakes

Expert Bio

Dr. Allison Oakes is a graduate of SUNY-ESF in Syracuse NY, having earned her doctorate in Plant Science and Biotechnology in 2015. She is currently a postdoctoral research associate at SUNY ESF and maintains the production of micropropagated American chestnut shoots of over one hundred different lines. She is currently investigating the effect of different growth regulator concentrations on shoot development, and is continuing her dissertation research focus on improving rooting and acclimatization of American chestnut shoots. She is also an author on the regulatory documents needed by the USDA and EPA for eventual release of The American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project’s blight resistant American chestnuts. She enjoys giving talks at conferences and to the general public, leading tours of the Plant Production Lab at the CNY Biotechnology Accelerator which she manages, and connecting with future scientists through workshops and mentoring. Dr. Oakes also loves teaching, and currently teaches Principles of Genetics at SUNY-ESF.