Littlefrog Farm Consulting

Bioinformatics and Perl Scripting

I have over eight years of hands on experience in bioinformatics, including over three years as a full time bioinformatics consultant serving Michigan State University and the greater Michigan community. Currently I'm an assistant professor and associate director of the Center for Animal Functional Genomics at Michgan State University.

• Perl for Biologists: I have given several courses, either semester length or one week intensive in programming in the PERL programming language. These courses are intended for the bench scientist, at any level (graduate, postdoctoral, or PI), who have little experience in programming. Students learn the basics of perl programming, and how to apply these techniques to their scientific endeavors.
• Bioinformatics services: Specialties include support of high throughput DNA sequencing, sequence annotation, and data presentation and mining
• Miscellaneous Perl Scripting: CGI scripts, data mining applications, and data transformations

Orchid Consulting

I have been growing a wide variety of orchids for well over a decade, in almost every home environment commonly available. Windowsills, light carts, dedicated growing rooms with high intensity lighting, and greenhouse. I've been providing advice (and learning, at the same time) to numerous online orchid growing forums for almost that long. I'm a certified judge in the American Orchid Society, and a part time commercial grower, perhaps most famous for my 'Rules'

 Rob's Rules: 
              1) There is always room for one more orchid
              2) There is always room for two more orchids
              2a. See rule 1
              3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
                 more orchids, obtain more credit

• "Introduction to Orchids" - a general overview of orchids and how to grow them. Good for garden clubs or non-orchid audiences
• "Cycnoches - Two for the Price of One" - An older talk about Cycnoches species and hybridizing, I'll update it if you want me to do this one.
• "Maudiae type Paphs" - Another older talk, but a good overview of maudiae type paphiopedilum breeding
• "The Lady in Red" - Phragmipedium besseae and its hybrids
• "Little Frogs and Little Orchids" - Poison dart frogs and how to keep them in terrariums, with orchids of course!
• I'm always interested in creating a new talk, if none of those interest you.

Locations within 100 miles of the Lansing/Ann Arbor Michigan area subject to a $150 honorarium, waived if I am allowed to sell plants at the meeting. For locations outside this range I also require reimbursement for travel and overnight accomodations. I travel light and don't require much in the way of fancy food and lodging

Light garden design: I've built light gardens in countless configurations at my various homes over the years. I'll be happy to design and/or build a custom system for you. Custom building only available to local customers.

In home consultation: Sometimes it helps to have somebody come over and give you some advice in person. Full consultation services available, including a written report of any recommendations and sources for materials

Please contact me directly for more information about orchid consulting. Simple questions are always answered for free. Even complicated questions sometimes.