Graduate Student Profile

Introducing: Olivia Marie Lenahan

Styrax japonicus 'Emerald Pagoda' (Japanese
Snowbell) at the J. C. Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC.

Advisor: Dr. Bill Graves

Degree Seeking: PhD

Hometown: Holly Springs, NC

Education:
Washington State University, Horticulture, MSc.
Syracuse University, Magazine Publishing, MA
Pennsylvania State University, Plant Biology, BSc.

Current Research:
Styrax americanus Lam. (American snowbell) is a flood-tolerant small tree that grows to a height of 1.2 to 3.6 meters. In mid-April to May, it produces fragrant white blossoms that resemble hanging bells. The small stature and ornamental appeal of S. americanus, as well as its tolerance of poorly drained soils make this tree an excellent candidate for use in urban plantings and managed landscapes.

My research will investigate acclimation and deacclimation patterns of stem tissue and vegetative/floral buds from extreme northern (Kankakee, Illinois) and southern populations (Florida). In addition, a physiological comparison between provenances will shed light on different survival mechanisms and the degree of ecotypic variation inherent in this taxon.

Publications
Lenahan, O. M., Whiting, M. D., and D. C. Elfving. 2006. Gibberellic acid inhibits floral bud induction and improves 'Bing' sweet cherry fruit quality. HortScience. 41:654-659.

Lenahan, O. M., and M. D. Whiting. 2006. Fish oil plus lime sulfur shows potential as a sweet cherry postbloom thinner. HortScience. 41:860-861.

Lenahan, O. M., and M. D. Whiting. 2006. Physiological and horticultural effects of sweet cherry chemical blossom thinners. HortScience. 41:1547-1551.

Presentations
Chemical thinners reduce sweet cherry COČ exchange rate, stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence. June 2005. Poster presentation. ISHS Bursa, Turkey.

Gibberellic acid is a potential sweet cherry crop load management tool. June 2005. Poster presentation. ISHS. Bursa, Turkey.

Extra Curricular Activities:

On My Bookshelf:
Daphne du Maurier's Frenchman's Creek; Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles; Gary Larson's The Far Side