Kitrina (Kit) Carlson, PhD

Experience

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  Virginia Tech

  Apr 2003 - Sept 2004

  Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  Researched Phytophthora distribution at wholesale nurseries across Virginia

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  University of Wisconsin-Stout Company Page

  Sept 2012 - Aug 2016

  Academic Program Development•2012 Lead Faculty Developer MS degree in Conservation •2008 Co-developed plant science minor and associated coursesCourses Taught and Developed* Applied Science 101 Biology 101 (Introductory Bio.)Biology 111 (Science & Society) Biology 135 (Organismal Bio.)Biology 136 (Cell & Molecular)Biology 141 (Plants & People)*Biology 210 (Biotech. Online)*Biology 242 (Botany)*Biology 306 (Microbiology)Biology 322 (Plant Pathology)*Biology 343 (Plant Physiology)*Biology 470 (Advanced Biotech)Biology 489 (Research Experience) Teaching and STEM Learning Research Highlights:Universal Design for Teaching and Learning (2011 and ongoing)Interdisciplinary Food Security Initiative (2009 and ongoing)Chemistry and Botany Linked Research (2011 and ongoing)Research The Portals of Discovery (PODS) Research Initiative (2009-ongoing):Initiated with collaborators an award winning, NSF-funded partnership between UW-Stout and UW-Manitowoc with a goal to increase access to STEM education in underserved student populations through research partnerships.The Applied-Science Vision, Polytechnic Mission Initiative:I Initiated, with colleague and co-developer, Ms. Krista James, an award-winning model for the recruitment, retention and career success of academically able but financially disadvantaged and URM STEM students. Over 40 APSCI and ENSCI students have received scholarships, 400+ APSCI students have been served through programming. Research Projects:• Screening of potatoes for disease resistance to Erwinia • Molecular diagnostic tools for plant disease• Screening native plants for salt tolerance• Tissue culture and transformation of Opuntia fragilis• Tissue culture of Sarracenia purpurea• Hmong Medicinal Plants• Secondary metabolites of Tradescantia zebrina• SNA biodiversity and human impact assessment• Season extension/horticultural research• Mineral Nutrition Deficiencies • Heavy Metal Uptake Show less As the Founding Director of the UW-Stout Sustainability Sciences Institute (SSI), it is my responsibility to develop and supervise a STEM College SSI, drawing together opportunities available through transdisciplinary partnerships, the UW-Stout Discovery Center, state industry and community stakeholders. I’m charged to build distinctive academic research and outreach programs which effectively contribute new knowledge, innovation, inclusive excellence, and professional development opportunities at the crossroads of science and sustainability agendas. The SSI is self-sustaining and I am responsible for funding it through a combination of grants, industry contracts and tuition dollars generated through SSI-based academic programming. Show less

  • Professor of Biology

    Sept 2004 - Aug 2016

  • Director, Sustainability Sciences Institute

    Sept 2012 - Jan 2015
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  Madison Area Technical College

  Aug 2015 - now

  Academic Program Development•2019 Biotechnology Certificate for Liberal Arts Transfer Students (in development)Courses Taught and Developed* Biology for Innovators*Biology 215 (Botany)*Biology 272 (Organismal Biology)*Biology 271 (Cellular and Molecular Biology)*(*Initiated and co-developed the new biology majors course series for transfer students)ResearchInitiated Undergraduate Research-based curriculum in the Madison College Biology Dept. including:-Establishment of the Small World Initiative collaborative research in BIO 272-Establishment of research experiences embedded in biology gateway course seriesPI NSF ATE "New Pathways to Bioscience Careers"This project seeks to engage a new population of students to pursue careers in bioscience by transforming the community college biology curriculum to integrate in-demand biotechnology laboratory skills and expand career development experiences. Community college students enrolled in Liberal Arts Transfer bioscience courses represent a potentially large population of future bioscience workers. However, the majority of these students have inadequate exposure to the range of potential careers that exist for bioscience graduates, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college. These students also have fewer opportunities to participate in research activities and internships that are critical to developing marketable laboratory skills and industry experience. With this NSF grant, Madison Area Technical College (Madison, WI) will establish a Biotechnology Certificate program for transfer students, develop undergraduate research experiences & internships, and develop digital badges to assess and document student mastery of key biotechnology skills. Offering this certificate program to Liberal Arts students who are currently not in the biotechnology career pipeline will result in a significantly increased pool of qualified bioscience employees. Show less

  • STEM Center Faculty Director

    Aug 2022 - now

  • Botany Faculty / Biology Dept. Chair

    Aug 2015 - now
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  University of Wisconsin-Madison

  Jan 2017 - Jun 2022

  Honorary Fellow
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  Grantibly

  Sept 2021 - Jun 2023

  Grantibly, LLC co-owner