Hired by B.T. Galloway, who headed the Laboratory of Plant Pathology at the USDA's Bureau of Plant Industry. There, in 1901, she became an assistant to pathologist-in-charge
Erwin Frink Smith, who was "proud of his record of appointing women to work at the department."[4][5][6]
Quirk's research focused on
crown gall oxidation phenomena and culture mediums used in pathogenic analyses, working alongside
Nellie A. Brown.[5] Her original job titles at the laboratory consisted of "laboratory aide" and "scientific assistant".[7] While a lab assistant, Quirk had three of her own assistants who helped her prepare growth media.[8] She also invented a new apparatus to help measure amounts of media more accurately and without funnels.[8]
In 1923, she worked with
Edna H. Fawcett to publish a paper concerning the hydrogen-ion concentration in culture mediums. Their joint research considered "the approximate ranges of growth (acid-alkaline) of more than 24 bacteria pathogenic to plants."[4]
From 1928 to 1948, Quirk was the head of the laboratory.[9] At the Symposium on Bacterial Dissociation and Life Cycles of the
Society of American Bacteriologists, Quirk presented "A Five-fold Technic for Producing the Filterable Form of Bacillus phytophthorus," showcasing her skills in
bacteriology.[10] As a bacteriologist with experience, Quirk would share out different culturing techniques, like a formula for potato
agar and a novel
growth medium.[11]
Selected publications
Quirk, A.J. & Fawcett, E. H. (1923). Hydrogen-ion concentration vs. titratable acidity in culture mediums.[7]
Quirk, A.J. & Smith, E.F. (1926). A Begonia Immune to Crowngall: With Observations on other Immune or Semi-Immune Plants[12]
Brown, N. A., & Quirk, A. J. (1929). Influence of bacteriophage on Bacterium tumefaciens, and some potential studies of filtrates.
Quirk, A.J. (1931). Pure Smooth and Rough Colony Types at Will: Science Vol. 74 Friday, November 6, 1931, No. 1923
Quirk, A.J. (1934). The Correlation of Animal and Plant Bacterial Behavior and Imposed Culture Aledium Environment. Journal of Bacteriology 1934 (J. Bacteriol. 1934, 27(1):22.)[7]
^American Scientific Congress (8th : 1940 : Washington, D.C.) (1943). Proceedings of the eighth American Scientific Congress held in Washington May 10-18, 1940, under the auspices of the government of the United States of America. Dept. of State.
OCLC37532619.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
link)