![A photo of Summer smiling in front of a tree blossoming with pink flowers. Summer is wearing brown tortoise shell glasses and has their curly hair in a bun, with 2 strands of hair tucked behind their ears. They are wearing a red, black, and white striped dress with a forest green cardigan. ](https://i.imgur.com/u5avwXZ.jpg =270x400)
## Summer Blanco, Plant Biology PhD Student ##
## University of Georgia Athens ##
Mentored by:
Dr. Shu-Mei Chang, Professor, Plant Biology, University of Georgia Athens
Dr. Jim Leebens-Mack, Professor, Plant Biology, University of Georgia Athens

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## Bio: ##
Hey y'all! My name is Summer Blanco (she/they) and I'm a 1st year PhD student in the Plant Biology department at UGA. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Botany at the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, CA. I also spent some time at Michigan State University doing post-baccalaureate research on Maize (corn). 

I see myself as an early career Plant evolutionary biologist. I'm really excited about the evolution of flowering plants, and more specifically their morphology and color! Thanks for participating in my research and learning with me!


Team

Results

Research

What colors of pollen do you see? Take a closer look and help us learn how genes and the environment shape the flower colors around us. 

The Colors of Pollen


(Our project is currently in Phase 1! Once we complete phase 1, we will open phase 2 and then phase 3! Keep an eye out for updates!)

The Colors of Pollen

The Team

Summer Blanco, Plant Biology PhD Student

University of Georgia Athens

Bio: