Current Students
Denise Thomas
I was born and raised in Florida, surrounded by orange groves and warm temperatures. Science has always been my passion. I enjoy learning as much as I can about all aspects of it. I received my bachelor’s degree in Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida, but I didn’t know what to do with it. I dabbled a bit in teaching, educating seventh graders in the field of science, and pursuing a Master’s degree in science education at the University of Florida. Teaching middle schoolers was not the type of experience I thought it would be though. In an effort to figure out what to do with my education, I took some more classes at the University of Florida, commuting back and forth 80 miles each time. On the first day of classes, I heard about the Plant Medicine Program. The diversity of classes one takes for the degree caught my interest, as well as the opportunities to solve problems, deal with people, and work with plants and insects after I finish the program. I have an interest in learning about the products and pests that enter our country and how they affect the crops around us. I entered the program in January 2006 and I plan to graduate in December 
2008. I received a USDA National Needs Fellowship and am currently enrolled in the Plant Pest Risk Assessment and Management certificate program. In addition, I work at IPM Florida as an Information Specialist where I update the website and help with the formation of extension materials. I am looking forward to all the new experiences I’ll have by being in the Plant Medicine Program. My career interests include regulatory agriculture and extension.
Click here to see my presentation on my internship to New Zealand.
View my article, "Plant Medicine Student Comes to the APS Conference by way of J. Artie and Arra Browning Award" in Phytopathology News Dec 2006, pg. 151
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