Updated 13 August 2012

ANNA PIELACH
Botany and Plant Science and The Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

pielach.anna@gmail.com portfolio website

EDUCATION

Nov 2009present

PhD student in Botany and Plant Science, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, GALWAY, IRELAND Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, College of Science

PhD title: Cell wall biochemistry of hemiparasitism in Rhinanthus minor L. and Odontites vernus (Bellardi) Dumort.: interactions at haustorial interfaces and implications for local grassland biodiversity. The project aims to investigate and explain how cell walls are implicated in the parasitic process in two annual hemiparasitic herbs. Biochemistry of cell wall interactions at haustorial interfaces with host tissues is investigated through immunocytochemistry. Laboratory work is complemented by field research on biodiversity of native grasslands associated with the presence of hemiparasites. Funded by Irish Research Council (formerly Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology) EMBARK scheme Irish Research Council showcase page Supervisor: Dr Zo A Popper

Sep 2009

MSc in Landscape, Heritage and Environment, QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST, UK School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology Commendation 2 (70%)

MSc thesis title: Floristic implications of introducing coppicing as a long-term management practice in Straidkilly Nature Reserve, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland This project was commissioned by Ulster Wildlife Trust through Queens Science Shop Relevs of woodland ground flora and canopy were recorded in a coppiced site in Glenarm Nature Reserve and compared with those taken in uncoppiced Straidkilly National Nature Reserve to help predict the impact of possible introduction of coppicing into Straidkilly. Thesis supervisor: Dr Roy Tomlinson area of expertise: carbon retention in bogs

Mar 2008

BA in Landscape Architecture, WARSAW UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES Faculty of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Fac. of Environmental Protection First Class Honours; final year best graduate in the course (over 60 students) Erasmus student exchange stay at UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES, VIENNA, AUSTRIA Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences

Oct 2007Jan 2008

BA thesis title: Newtownbarry Woodland Garden Vegetation Management Plan A phytosociological and dendrological survey of the demesne parkland vegetation was carried out in Bunclody, Co. Wexford, Ireland and a vegetation management plan was developed. Thesis supervisor: Dr Piotr Sikorski area of expertise: phytosociology; co-author of Polish phytosociology textbook Fitosocjologia Stosowana (Wysocki and Sikorski 2009)

RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS Functional anatomy of parasitic plant haustoria Plant histology, microscopy and imaging Plant and landscape ecology Phytogeography and geobotany Field bryology Science-art collaborations Computer graphics Science in the media

GRANTS AND AWARDS NUI, Galway Thomas Crawford Hayes Travel Fund Scheme, March call 2012: 1,985 to cover travel and registration expenses of Gordon Cell Wall Research Conference and Seminar (410 August 2012) at Colby College, MA, USA and an invited five-week visit to Skidmore College Microscopy Imaging Center (1331 August 2012), Saratoga Springs, NY. NUI, Galway Students' Union Enterprise Awards 2012: A Botanic Garden for Galway (website) (Business/Social Category); as part of a 5-member team , 1st round award of 500 and a place in the final (2011) Nature in the Urban Jungle Environmental Science Association of Ireland photography competition 2012 3rd prize for photograph Green Light (ESAI web gallery) Guerilla Science grant awarded by NUI, Galways Research Office, Art Gallery and Community Knowledge Initiative, October 2011: 1800 to fund a botany-inspired art project Latch On! a collaboration with a ceramicist from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology commissioned for the Galway Science and Technology Fair 2011; also displayed at Proximity 2012 student exhibition at GMIT, the international Fascination of Plants Day (fascinationofplants.blogspot.com) at NUI, Galway Art Gallery, 18 May 2012 and at Volvo Ocean Race, Galway, July 2012. NUI, Galway Ryan Institute Research Day 2011 poster award (Ryan Institute Newsletter) MSc thesis awarded Queens University Belfast Science Shop 2010 award shared 1st prize, 200 Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (currently Irish Research Council) EMBARK 2009. RS/2009/1339. PI. 72,009. (36 months) ERASMUS exchange program scholarship from Warsaw University of Life Sciences 1200 Warsaw University of Life Sciences student scholarship for high academic achievements 20052008 (reviewed annually) 35006000PLN/year Winner of a pre-entrance exam competition in biology Start po Indeks (2004) annual award from Warsaw University of Life Sciences; awarded exemption from the university entrance exam in biology; obtained top overall result in Landscape Architecture course entrance exams in biology and drawing (over 400 candidates)

CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS Oral presentations: Pielach A, Popper ZA (2012) Native hemiparasites Whats on the menu? Immunocytochemical investigations of cell wall biochemistry at haustorial interfaces and implications for host quality. Irish Plant Scientists Association Meeting, Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland (Presented by ZA Popper) Pielach A, Popper ZA (2011) Native hemiparasites Whats on the menu? Immunocytochemical investigations of cell wall biochemistry at haustorial interfaces and implications for host quality. Irish Plant Scientists Association Meeting, Queens University Belfast, UK

Poster presentations: Pielach A, Popper ZA (2012) The frontlines of hemiparasitic attack: patterns of haustorial cell wall composition in two Orobanchaceae species. Gordon Cell Wall Research Seminar and Conference, Colby College, Waterville, MA, US Domozych DS, Andreas A, Srensen I, Popper ZA, Pielach A, Fangel JU, Rose J, Willats WGT (2012) The construction and organisation of the pectic domain of the cell wall in the unicellular green alga, Penium margaritaceum. Gordon Cell Wall Research Conference, Colby College, Waterville, MA, US Pielach A, Popper ZA (2011) Native hemiparasites Whats on the menu? Immunocytochemical investigations of cell wall biochemistry at haustorial interfaces and implications for host quality. Botanical Society of The British Isles Spring Conference and Annual General Meeting, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland. Pielach A, Popper ZA (2011) Native hemiparasites Whats on the menu? Immunocytochemical investigations of cell wall biochemistry at haustorial interfaces and implications for host quality. Ryan Institute Research Day, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland. Awarded 1st prize. Pielach A, Popper ZA (2010) The impact of the hemi-parasite yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) on the floral diversity of East Connemara grassland and selected host grass species. Irish Plant Scientists Association Meeting, University College Dublin, Ireland Pielach A, Popper ZA (2010) The impact of the hemi-parasite yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) on the floral diversity of East Connemara grassland and selected host grass species. College of Science Research Day, Ryan Institute Research Day, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland

PUBLICATIONS Domozych D, Popper ZA, Srensen I, Fangel J, Pielach A, Sacks C, Brechka H, Ruisi-Besares P, Willats W, Rose J (2012) Penium margaritaceum as a unicellular model for studying plant cell wall architecture, biosynthesis and restructuring. Manuscript submitted for publication in Plant J. Manuscripts in preparation (working titles): Deposition and functions of lignin at haustorial interfaces of Rhinanthus minor and Odontites vernus new insights An immunocytochemical study of Rhinanthus minor and Odontites vernus haustoria on different hosts An extended menu or a physiological trap? Rhinanthus minor and Odontites vernus form xylem bridge connections with bad hosts Comparison of grassland communities of Rhinanthus minor and Odontites vernus

SUMMARY OF SKILLS Plant histology and immunocytochemistry including sample preparation (embedding, microtomy) Bright field, epifluorescence and confocal microscopy, currently training in electron microscopy including electron tomography at Skidmore College Microscopy Imaging Center Vascular plant and bryophyte identification Relevant training courses: - Bryophyte recording for the new edition of British Bryological Society field guide 18 February 2012 and 2122 June 2012 - Sphagnum Identification Course with Denyer Ecology 16 Oct 2011, - Using keys to identify grasses, sedges and rushes with Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) 1819 July 2010; - Identification of Irish Orchids with Tom Curtis 26-27 June 2010 - Introduction to Bryophyte Identification for Habitat Survey with IEEM 24 Apr 2010 Relevant undergraduate course modules: - Botany course (Flora of Poland) 2 semesters - Phytosociology course 3 semesters - Dendrology course 3 semesters - Ornamental plants course 3 semesters Habitat survey (quadrats, transects, Fossitt 2000 classification of Irish vegetation, Braun-Blanquet system) GPS data collection and spatial analysis (ArcView GIS: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, 3DAnalyst, portfolio)

 Experimental design and statistical analysis, community analysis (Minitab, PC Ord) Graphic software: AutoCAD (portfolio), Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Google Sketchup Free-hand drawing (portfolio), relevant training: free-hand drawing course at Grafit drawing School 20022004 (part time weekend) Native Polish speaker, fluent in English, basic knowledge of German and Russian

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Postgraduate and undergraduate lecturing and student support: Presented a lecture on native hemiparasitic plants to 3rd year botany students as part of BT318 Applications of Plant Science in Biotechnology and Ecology module Presented a short talk on native hemiparasitic plants to 2nd year students as part of Plants, Humans and Environment module Presented a 1h lecture on native hemiparasitic plants and their use in grassland biodiversity restoration as part of Irish Flora and Fauna module of MSc in Biodiversity and Land Use Planning at NUIG (Oct 2011) Presented a 1h introductory lecture on Polish biogeography and plant communities preceding a field trip to NE Poland Tutor at 1st year Botany and Plant Science evening help sessions (6h): prepared own presentations and a mock lab exam revising and summarising subjects taught in labs and lectures Tutor at 1st year Study Skills Week (10h); Gave talks to large groups of 1st year science students explaining the structure of the course, discussed study and essay writing techniques followed by talking to students individually about their problems and concerns Worked with the NUI Galway student retention officer and gave grinds to 1st and 2nd year botany students experiencing subject-related difficulties Laboratory teaching and supervision: 1st year Botany lab floor leading (28h) - Introduced each lab session topic (Power Point presentation) and explained practical tasks to be completed - led a group of four demonstrators and managed a large (100) group of students to ensure the understanding and timely completion of lab tasks - tasks: separation of chlorophyll pigments by paper chromatography, separation of flower anthocyanins by thin layer chromatography, dissection of a flower, DNA extraction, genetic crosses, staining of plant storage compounds, examination of pre-prepared slides as well as preparation of fresh slides (sectioning and staining) 1st and 2nd year Botany & Plant Science lab demonstrating (62h): followed guidelines from the lecturer (2nd year) or floor leader (1st year) and ensured understanding and timely completion of lab tasks Invigilated 1st year Botany and Plant Science Christmas lab exam (1h) Teaching in the field: Organised and co-guided Botany Society field trip to NE Poland in June 2011; liaised with several researchers in Poland to organise and co-guide trips to the Masurian region (Querco-Fagetea and Vaccinio-Piceetea woodlands); Biebrza National Park (the most extensive natural floodplain in Europe; good examples of Alnetea glutinosae woodlands); Biaowiea National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Biaowiea Geobotanical Station; Podlasie Bug Gorge Landscape Park (a region of exceptionally high plant and habitat diversity with high concentration of rare and threatened species) Demonstrated at field courses and field trips: - 2nd year botany field course in the Burren (3 days) - 2nd and 4th year trip to Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin (2 days) - geology field trip to the Mourne Mountains and Murlough Bay (1 day) - geography field trip to the Hill of Slane, Co. Meath (1 day)

 Co-organised and co-ran an educational Esker Walk as part of Biodiversity Day in Brigits Garden, Roscahill, Co. Galway (16 May 2010) Public events: Demonstrated at NUI Galways open days and Sea2Sky European Researchers Night in Leisureland, Salthill an event showcasing science to the public Gave a 1h lecture on native trees and shrubs of Ireland as well as a 3h workshop on free hand landscape drawing as part of Botany Society Workshop Weekend in the Burren, which was open to the public (April 2011) Art teaching: Taught free-hand drawing at Grafit drawing school, Warsaw (Oct 2006July 2007); prepared students for Landscape Architecture entrance exam in free-hand drawing

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Various positions in garden centers, freelance landscaping and visualization work covered a wide range of skills including plant propagation and maintenance, floral design, preparation of residential garden designs and plans for planning permission documentation, setting up and running stands at garden shows, sales and customer service. Milands Florist and Garden Centre, Mountbellew, Co. Galway, Ireland (2009, 3 months) Euro Flowers (garden centre), Belfast, Northern Ireland (2009, 3 months) Bizzy Bees Florist and Garden Centre, Ferns, Co. Wexford, Ireland (2008, 6 months) Camolin Potting Shed (rare perennial nursery), Camolin, Co. Wexford, Ireland (2008, 4 months) Little Moon Garden Centre, Mullagh, Co. Clare, Ireland (2006, 3months)

Newtownbarry pre-Victorian garden, Bunclody, Co. Wexford; substituted for Head Gardener over the holiday period (2007, 2 weeks) Q studio Wiktor Kuc, Warsaw, Poland Landscape designers assistant; assistance with design and visualization projects, development of AutoCAD templates such as tree blocks (20062007, 10 months)

MEMBERSHIPS Botanical Society of the British Isles, student membership British Bryological Society, student membership The Environmental Science Association of Ireland Ulster Wildlife Trust Invasive Species Ireland

NUI, Galway Botany Society: - organised a 10-day BotSoc trip to North-East Poland - co-organised and tutored at the BotSoc Workshop Weekend in the Burren Apr 11; - co-organised an immunocytochemistry workshop by Prof. Paul Knox, University of Leeds, UK at NUI Galway, Ireland MEDIA COVERAGE Wrote an article Latch On! Turning Science into Art featured in Issue 3 (Spring 2012) of Research Matters Latch On! project mentioned in The Irish Times Wrote an article for Queens Universitys Postgraduate Voice magazine (p.5)