Mhairi is from Glencoe, Scotland and attends New College in Oxford. She is working with Moira Sheehan, a graduate student, and Denise Costich, a research associate. She is working on characterizing a mutation in the phyB1 gene in terms of the effect of the mutation on plant characteristics such as flowering time, tillering, and plant height in an introgressed population. Mhairi has been using DNA extraction and Southern blotting techniques for her work.

Mhairi enjoys most sports, including running and dancing and just having fun with friends. This is her first visit to the United States.