Multiple projects studying fertilization effects on plant-insect interactions, 2006 through 2008 – With the Zoology Department at Oregon State University, Emily Orling conducted botanical surveys across western Oregon and northern California.  She acted as botanist and project manager by overseeing multiple experiments and crews over two field seasons.  Emily collected annual grass seed at field sites, managed growing of annual grasses from seed in a greenhouse, and managed aphid colonies in an environmental chamber in a laboratory.  Aphid colonies were either carriers or not carriers of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, which infects grasses including certain agricultural crops.