Jennifer Allsbrook

"The Magnolia Detectives" program is an innovative, hands-on research project developed by Allsbrook for students at Polk County High School to collaborate with professionals in the field. Allsbrook and John Vining from the Polk County Extension Center of the NC Cooperative Extension Service will lead students through DNA analysis of Sweetbay Magnolia located in the county. Students will collect samples and use technology to conduct DNA sequencing to determine the closest relative of the Polk County strand. Individuals from Western Carolina University, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and the Smithsonian Institute will provide additional expertise, equipment, and materials to make this project a success. Allsbrook, a resident of Hendersonville, hopes her students add valuable information about Magnolia genomics to the science community. Students will share their findings through pamphlets, a Web site with a blog, and a published scientific paper.