ASPB News THE NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS Volume 37, Number 5 September/October 2010

Nicholas Carpita Assumes Presidency October 1

Inside This Issue Nicholas Carpita, professor at Purdue professor in the Plant Biology Institute University, is ASPB’s new president. He in Zürich, Switzerland, from 1986 to President’s Letter succeeds Tuan-hua David Ho, Wash­ 1987, returning as a guest professor in Steven Huber Is ington University in St. Louis, who 1994, and he has been guest professor President-elect became immediate past president on at the Botanical Institute of São Paulo, October 1. The Society’s new president- Brazil. Gloria Muday Elected elect is Steven Huber, USDA–ARS at Nick’s research interest is primarily to Executive Committee the University of Illinois. the dynamic structure and function Nick is recognized for his exper- of the unique cell walls of grasses and tise in the biology of the plant cell related species, and he conducts re- wall, from the structures of individual Nick Carpita search on the biochemical mechanism Plant Biology 2010 molecules and their biosynthesis, to of synthesis of cellulose and other coverage starts on page 10 the distinctive architectures of the cell walls of grass β-glucans. He established that flowering plants species, to the thousands of genes required for wall make two structurally distinct types of primary biogenesis and remodeling and the regulation of walls, and his genome-wide analyses of grasses and their expression. He is professor of plant biology Arabidopsis revealed the genetic bases for these at Purdue University and heads a Purdue initiative distinctions. His recent work revealed the natural called the Energy Biosciences Research Community regulation of primary wall synthesis by small inter- that aims to provide a national resource of research fering RNAs from antisense transcripts of cellulose and education for the improvement of crops used synthase genes. Translating these discoveries into in biofuels production, taking discoveries in plant improvements in lignocellulosic biomass as a feed- biology into agronomic practice in a sustainable and stock for biofuels production has become a focus of environmentally sound way. his lab. He teaches an undergraduate course called Nick grew up near Clearwater, Florida, where “Plants and Civilization,” which traces the history he became seriously interested in plant sciences his of agriculture and the broad impacts plants have first year in high school. He obtained a degree in on human civilization. He also teaches a graduate biological sciences at Purdue University in 1972 and course on plant carbohydrate chemistry and vari- a PhD in plant physiology at Colorado State Uni- ous methods courses and research workshops for versity in 1977. His postdoctoral work from 1977 undergraduate honors students. He is recognized as to 1979 with Deborah Delmer at the Department an ISI highly cited author in the area of Plant and of Energy’s Plant Research Laboratory at Michigan Animal Science. State University first kindled his interest in the Nick has been a member of ASPB since 1976. biosynthesis of cellulose. He returned to Purdue He served on the editorial board of Plant Physiology University in 1979 as an assistant professor in the from 1987 to 1992 and as monitoring editor from Department of Botany and Plant Pathology and 1998 to 2001. He also served as elected member of became full professor in 1989. He was also a visiting the Executive Committee (2002–2005) and as sec- continued on page 6 The ASPB News is delivered online as well as in print. Members will be alerted by e-mail when a new issue is posted. The ASPB News welcomes member feedback. Contact the editor at [email protected]. ASPB Executive Committee & Staff CONTENTS

President Nicholas Carpita 765-494-4653 President-elect Steven C. Huber 217-265-0909 Immediate Past President Tuan-hua David Ho 314-935-4632 1 Nicholas Carpita Assumes Presidency Secretary Judy Callis 530-752-1015 Treasurer Jonathan Monroe 540-568-6649 Chair, Board of Trustees Mary Lou Guerinot 603-646-2527 5 President’s Letter Chair, Publications Committee Sally Mackenzie 402-472-6997 Chair, Women in Plant Biology Committee Marta Laskowski 440-775-6596 7 Steven Huber Elected to Lead Chair, Minority Affairs Committee MariaElena B. Zavala 818-677-3342 ASPB in 2011–2012 Chair, Education Committee Erin Dolan 540-231-2692 Chair, International Committee Leon V. Kochian 607-255-2454 Gloria Muday Elected to Chair, Membership Committee Mel Oliver 573-882-9645 Exective Committee Chair, Committee on Public Affairs Richard Sayre 314-587-1437 Elected Members Gloria Muday 336-758-5316 Katherine W. Osteryoung 517-355-4685 Marguerite Varagona 636-737-6394 10 Plant Biology 2010 Coverage Sectional Representatives Midwestern John Kiss 513-529-5428 18 Award Honorees at Plant Northeastern Estelle Hrabak 603-862-0716 Biology 2010 Southern Timothy D. Sherman 251-460-7529 Mid-Atlantic Zhongchi Liu 301-405-1586 Western David Logan 306-966-4409 25 The Eric E. Conn Young Investigator Award Executive director Crispin Taylor, ext. 115 [email protected] Executive and governance affairs manager Donna Gordon, ext. 131 [email protected] ASPB Debuts New Website Assoc. director of finance & administration Kim Kimnach, ext. 140 [email protected] Accounts receivable specialist Stephanie Liu-Kuan, ext. 143 [email protected] 27 Membership Corner Junior accountant Jotee Pundu, ext. 144 [email protected] Director of meetings, marketing, & membership Jean Rosenberg, ext. 110 [email protected] Manager of marketing and web services Wendy Sahli, ext. 123 [email protected] Public Affairs 29 Membership, meetings, & marketing specialist Shoshana Kronfeld, ext. 122 [email protected] Subscriptions manager Suzanne Cholwek, ext. 141 [email protected] 35 ASPB Education Forum Subscriptions assistant Linda Palmer, ext. 142 [email protected] Director of public affairs Adam Fagen, ext. 114 [email protected] Education foundation assistant Katie Engen, ext. 116 [email protected] Director of publications Nancy A. Winchester, ext. 117 [email protected] Deadline for January/February 2011 Publications assistant Diane McCauley, ext. 133 [email protected] ASPB News: December 5, 2010 Managing editor John Long, ext. 119 [email protected] Science writer, Plant Physiology Peter Minorsky, 845-878-4570 [email protected] Production manager, Plant Physiology Jon Munn, ext. 130 [email protected] Manuscript manager, Plant Physiology Leslie (Ash) Csikos, ext. 125 [email protected] Senior features editor, The Plant Cell Nancy Eckardt, 970-495-9918 [email protected] Features editor, The Plant Cell Mary Williams, +44-141-339-4960 [email protected] Production manager, The Plant Cell Susan Entwistle, ext. 118 [email protected] Manuscript manager, The Plant Cell Annette Kessler, ext. 120 [email protected]

ASPB News is distributed to all ASPB members and is published six times ASPB News annually, in odd-numbered months. It is edited and prepared by ASPB staff from material provided by ASPB members and other interested Headquarters Office parties. 15501 Monona Drive Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA Copy deadline is the 5th day of the preceding even-numbered month Phone: 301-251-0560 (for example, December 5 for January/February publication). Submit Fax: 301-279-2996 copy by e-mail whenever possible; submit all other copy by mail, not by fax. [email protected] Contact: Nancy A. Winchester, Editor, ASPB News, 15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA; [email protected]; 301-296-0904. © 2010 American Society of Plant Biologists

AAAS/ASPB 2011 Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program

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Apply for the AAAS/ASPB Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program and learn how to increase public understanding of science and technology. Fellows in the 10-week 2011 summer program will work as reporters, researchers, and production assistants in mass media organizations nationwide. Deadline: January 15, 2011.

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Ongoing Business

My first experi- ery Executive Committee member deserves but to actually further expand our horizon ence with the our gratitude, but in particular, I would like in building additional contacts with several American Society to point out that all the standing committee government agencies. Our sincere thanks go of Plant Biologists chairs work extremely hard with their re- to Crispin for carrying out the extra respon- was attending one spective committee members on important sibilities at a time of special need. Tuan-hua David Ho of its joint meet- activities of the Society, such as membership, New initiatives are put forward each year ings with the publications, public affairs, minority affairs, by the ASPB leadership, and some of them Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists in education, and so on. I have attended many may impact the Society for years to come. The Calgary, Canada, more than 30 years ago. I individual standing committee meetings and two issues I would like to discuss in this letter was a graduate student then, presenting my have been thoroughly impressed with the as “Ongoing Business” are (1) the formation first paper at a scientific conference of this level of dedication and innovation. At each of a committee to study alternative business magnitude, and naturally was very nervous meeting, practical solutions were generated models for ASPB and (2) the continuous evo- about my first encounter with many fellow to solve problems facing the Society. All our lution of the Global Plant Council (GPC). plant biologists. Fast-forward in time, to committee chairs deserve a special citation For years, ASPB has been able to support another joint meeting with the Canadian for their service to our Society. One of them, the gradual expansion of its portfolio of society several weeks ago in Montreal, when I Gary Stacey, University of Missouri, who activities and services. This is primarily due presided over the opening ceremony and heads the Public Affairs Committee, is rotat- to the surplus generated by our two success- chaired a symposium as president of ASPB. ing off this year after long and distinguished ful journals, Plant Physiology and The Plant During the intervening three decades, I was service to ASPB. Gary worked diligently Cell. However, the recent government-led not only fortunate enough to establish a with a can-do mentality in promoting the push for an Open Access/author-pays format career in research and teaching in plant biol- interest of ASPB and plant science in general in scientific publication will undoubtedly ogy, but also had the wonderful opportunity at various gatherings with key people in reduce the institutional subscription income of attending many more ASPB meetings and government and Congress. A big “Thank generated by these two journals. Conse- participating in various functions of our You” goes to Gary! We are also grateful for quently, the current ASPB business model Society. I truly appreciate the wide range of Judy Brusslan, who will rotate off as chair will eventually become unsustainable. In activities and opportunities ASPB offers, of the Women in Plant Biology Committee, light of this concern, the leadership of ASPB from education outreach to public affairs, and Alan Jones, who has completed his three has decided to form an ad hoc committee from publication of highly acclaimed journals years of service as an elected member of the to study how we can best adjust and adapt to organizing well-attended annual meetings. Executive Committee. to these new developments. The charges to These efforts are always carried out in the true The ASPB business agenda is mostly car- this business development committee are spirit of teamwork. In this last letter during ried out by the 20-plus staff working in the to (1) define what fraction of the Society’s my tenure as president, I would like to headquarters office in Rockville, Maryland. income should be reassigned from sub- express sincere gratitude to those people who The ASPB staff is organized in different scriptions to something else and over what have been instrumental in making all these sections, such as publications, public affairs, time frame, (2) articulate a mechanism for things happen. Also, during this transition finance and administration, and meetings/ soliciting and robustly and expeditiously period, I would like to take the opportunity marketing/membership, each headed by a assessing plausible new revenue-generating to inform the ASPB membership at large director who reports to the executive direc- ideas that come to the fore, and (3) identify about two important ongoing business issues. tor, Crispin Taylor. All the staff members a process for promoting and developing the The agenda of ASPB business is usually deserve our heartfelt gratitude for their most promising products and services. The set by the Executive Committee, which dedicated and reliable service that drives the committee will be composed of experts from consists of presidents, standing committee engine of our Society. Last year, Crispin wore both within and outside ASPB with experi- chairs, regional representatives, and elected an additional hat as acting director of public ence in scientific leadership and administra- members. The Executive Committee meets affairs when that position was unexpect- tion and in the publishing business. There three times a year to discuss and decide on a edly vacated due to illness. Crispin and is no doubt that recommendations made wide range of issues, many of them brought Gary worked very hard together not only by this committee will have a far-reaching forward by various standing committees. Ev- to keep our public affairs activities rolling, continued on page 6

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 5 President’s Letter environmental protection.” The second GPC State University, the immediate past president, continued from page 5 meeting took place right before the Montréal for her able leadership in guiding the Society impact on future operations of ASPB. By the meeting this summer and was hosted by the over the past few years. Among her many time this letter is published, this committee Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists. Mel accomplishments, she oversaw the major will be ready for action, and suggestions and Oliver, USDA/University of Missouri, was revamping of the ASPB website that was comments from the ASPB membership at elected executive director. Since it was Mel’s large will always be welcome. original idea that eventually led to the forma- launched earlier this month, and she worked As most of you know, the Global Plant tion of the GPC, it seems quite fitting that he extremely hard to foster a dialogue between Council (GPC) was formed last year in Hawaii will continue overseeing the operation of this NIH and the plant science community. At the as part of a historical and groundbreaking budding organization. His vision and effort same time, please join me in welcoming Nick summit among more than a dozen major will undoubtedly help shape the direction of Carpita, Purdue University, to the presidency plant science societies around the world. The the GPC. Our hats are off to Mel for all he of ASPB and Steve Huber, USDA/University mission of the GPC is “to define and engage has been doing for the GPC. Around 30 plant in coordinated strategies that impact the science societies are now GPC members. A of Illinois, as president-elect. Both Nick most critical issues facing humankind and to provisional executive committee was also and Steve have been highly dedicated ASPB increase awareness of the central importance formed, and the ASPB representative will members and have already served admirably of plant science in solving these issues. Our have a seat on this governing body. Further- in various capacities in our Society. Suffice it shared vision and effort will enable more more, an action plan was established, and to say, “Ongoing Business”—and all that lies effective use of knowledge and resources, ASPB will continue to actively participate in beyond—is in good hands. T accelerating progress in solving the challenges GPC functions for years to come. of world hunger, energy, climate change, Before closing, I would like to give very Tuan-hua David Ho health and well-being, sustainability and special thanks to Sally Assmann, Pennsylvania [email protected]

Nicholas Carpita in Mérida, Mexico, in 2008 and the recently Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology, and continued from page 1 held second Pan American Congress on he has been named to the editorial advisory retary (2005–2007). He is an avid promoter Plants and Bioenergy in São Pedro, Brazil. In panel for the new journal Biofuels. He has of ASPB’s role in international plant biology, 2003, he served as vice chair for the Gordon served on several competitive grants panels, education, and public awareness of the impact Research Conference on Cell Walls and as USDA-NRI and DOE’s Energy Biosciences, of plants on society and economic stability. chair for the 2006 conference, and he has and was a panel member and panel head for He was responsible for initiating the Fellows served on international steering committees BARD’s Cell and Molecular Biology section of ASPB Award, inaugurated in 2007, and for for the International Cell Wall meetings. from 1993 to 1998. T co-organizing the ASPB-sponsored first Pan He has also served on the editorial boards American Congress on Plants and Bioenergy of Planta, Methods in Cell Science, and the

Access to Research for Development and Innovation In March 2010, a new initiative from WIPO (UN World Intellectual Property Organization) called ARDI (Access to Research for Development and Innovation) asked that Plant Physiology join a select group of 150 scientific and technical journals to which patent offices will subscribe to gain accreditation from WIPO to grant patents and conduct searches. Access to Plant Physiology by these patent offices in developing nations is free, or at most $1,000, because ASPB already partners with AGORA, HINARE, and OARE to give immediate free access to our research content to very poor countries worldwide. WIPO’s larger objective is to bolster the target countries’ applications to join the World Trade Organization. Plant Physiology is pleased to be selected for participation in this important outreach initiative. T

6 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Steven Huber Elected to Lead ASPB in 2011–2012

Steve Huber is a research projects. In 2003, Steve moved to synthase, and nitrate reductase. The work scientist with the USDA– the University of Illinois, where he with nitrate reductase introduced the Huber ARS at the University of is a member of the ARS Global lab to the so-called 14-3-3 proteins that Illinois. Steve received his Change and Photosynthesis function as phosphoserine-binding proteins BS degree from the Research Unit and adjunct profes- and thereby interact with a wide array of University of Wisconsin in sor in the Departments of Plant cellular proteins. They are currently studying 1974 and completed his Biology and Crop Sciences. the binding of 14-3-3s to membrane proteins PhD degree in 1977 with A major focus of work in the such as receptor kinases, where the 14-3-3s Gerald Edwards, also at the Huber lab concerns the biological can function as positive regulators of signal- University of Wisconsin. mechanisms that control primary ing. A new aspect of receptor kinases that He then joined USDA–ARS Steven Huber carbon and nitrogen metabolism Steve’s lab is studying is the role of tyrosine as a plant physiologist and in plants. Steve and his colleagues autophosphorylation. Recent results indicate was located at North Carolina State have a long-term interest in sucrose metabo- that in addition to serine and threonine University. In 1985–1986, he was a visiting lism and nitrate assimilation and the control autophosphorylation, some receptor kinases professor at Nagoya University in Japan, and of these and other important plant processes can also autophosphorylate on tyrosine in 2000–2001 he served as review officer for by reversible protein phosphorylation. In residues, which uncovers a previously the then newly formed ARS Office of particular, their studies have focused on the unappreciated component of plant receptor Scientific Quality Review, where he provided regulatory phosphorylation of key enzymes kinases. Finally, the long-term interest in scientific oversight of the peer review of ARS such as sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose continued on page 8

Gloria Muday Elected to Executive Committee

Gloria Muday joined the ASPB root development and gravit- Transduction (2005); USDA panel manager Executive Committee as an ropism, auxin-ethylene cross and panel member for Crop Plant Growth elected member on October 1. talk in root development and and Development; panel member at NSF, She earned a BS in biochemistry in gene expression networks, Plant Genome, Graduate Research Fellow- from Virginia Tech in 1984, and flavonoids as endogenous regu- ships, Processes, Structure, and Integrity; a PhD in biochemistry from lators of auxin transport and NASA, Plant Biology panel member; and Purdue University in 1989. hormonal controls of flavonoid American Society of Gravitational and Space From 1989 to 1998, Gloria biosynthesis through transcrip- Biology, Thora Halstead Young Investigator was a postdoctoral research as- tional regulation of genes in the Award (1999) and member of Governing sociate with Sandoz Agro, Inc., phenylpropanoid pathway, en- Board (2000–2004). She is also an ad hoc in Palo Alto, California. In the Gloria Muday vironmental regulation of root reviewer for The Plant Cell, Plant Physiol- Biology Department at Wake architecture, mechanisms for ogy, The Plant Journal, Journal of Biological Forest University, she was assistant professor targeting of auxin transport proteins to ap- Chemistry, Journal of Experimental Botany, from 1991 to 1996, associate professor from propriate membrane domains as visualized and Trends in Plant Science. 1996 to 2003, and professor since 2004. In through confocal imaging of GFP fusion Gloria has been a member of ASPB since addition, she has served as adjunct associate proteins, and regulation of auxin transport 1988. She was monitoring editor for Plant professor since 1999 in the Plant Biology through reversible protein phosphorylation. Physiology from 1998 to 2000, a member Department at North Carolina State Univer- Her professional activities and awards of the Corresponding Membership Award sity, Raleigh. include cochair, Gordon Research Confer- Committee from 1994 to 1998 and 2006 to Gloria’s research and academic interests ence on Mechanosensory Transduction (July present and chair since 2007, and the ASPB include regulation of auxin transport and 2007); co–vice chair, Gordon Research Con- SURF Fellowship mentor in 2009. T dependent physiological processes including ference on Mechanical and Gravity Signal

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 7 Steven Huber His professional duties have included serving editor of Plant Physiology. He has also served continued from page 7 on grant panels for NSF, NRI, and DOE and as a member of the Shull Award Committee, regulation of protein kinase specificity has several journal editorial boards. He currently chair of the Martin Gibbs Award Committee resulted in a second new area of work deal- serves on the boards for Planta, Photosyn- (2009–2013), chair of the Stephen Hales ing with the impact of reactive oxygen on thesis Research, and Faculty of 1000 and is Prize Award Committee (2009-2012), chair protein phosphorylation and the emerging a deputy chair of The Biochemical Journal. of the Constitution & Bylaws Committee notion that methionine oxidation can func- Steve was recognized as an ISI highly cited (2009–2010), and elected member of the tion as a redox switch directly linking ROS researcher in Animal and Plant Sciences Executive Committee (2007–2009). In 2008, signaling to phosphorylation. Steve’s lab also in 2000 and was elected a fellow of AAAS he was awarded the Lawrence Bogorad Award has a long-standing interest in soybean seed (American Association for the Advancement for Excellence in Plant Biology Research. composition and is currently studying how of Science) in 2007, a fellow of ASPB in 2007 Steve has volunteered in the Education pod position along the mainstem affects the (inaugural class), and a fellow of the Agron- Booth at ASPB and AAAS annual meetings relative content of protein and oil. omy Society of America and Crop Science and is an avid supporter of the role of the At Illinois, Steve has taught plant physiol- Society of America in 2000. He has been an Society in education and public awareness of ogy and metabolism and currently teaches a active member of ASPB since 1975, and has important issues. T graduate-level course on plant proteomics. served as a board member and monitoring

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8 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS American Philosophical Society, Research Programs All information and forms for all of the Society’s programs can be downloaded from our website, http://www.amphilsoc.org. Click on the “Grants” tab at the top of the homepage.

Brief Information About Individual Programs Information About All Programs Franklin Research Grants

Purpose, scope Scope Awards are made for non-com- This program of small grants to scholars is intended to support the cost of research lead- mercial research only. The Society ing to publication in all areas of knowledge. The Franklin program is particularly de- makes no grants for academic signed to help meet the cost of travel to libraries and archives for research purposes; the study or classroom presenta- purchase of microfilm, photocopies or equivalent research materials; the costs associated tion, for travel to conferences, with fieldwork; or laboratory research expenses. for non-scholarly projects, for as- sistance with translation, or for the Eligibility preparation of materials for use by Applicants are expected to have a doctorate or to have published work of doctoral char- students. The Society does not pay acter and quality. Ph.D. candidates are not eligible to apply, but the Society is especially overhead or indirect costs to any interested in supporting the work of young scholars who have recently received the institution or costs of publication. doctorate.

Eligibility Award Applicants may be residents of the From $1,000 to $6,000. United States or American citizens resident abroad. Foreign nation- Deadlines als whose research can only be October 1, December 1; notification in February and April. carried out in the United States are eligible. Grants are made to individuals; institutions are not eligible to apply. Requirements for Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research each program vary. Scope The Lewis and Clark Fund encourages exploratory field studies for the collection of speci- Tax information Grants and fellowships are taxable mens and data and to provide the imaginative stimulus that accompanies direct observa- income, but the Society is not tion. Applications are invited from disciplines with a large dependence on field studies, required to report payments. It such as archeology, anthropology, biology, ecology, geography, geology, linguistics, and is recommended that grant and paleontology, but grants will not be restricted to these fields. fellowship recipients discuss their reporting obligations with their tax Eligibility advisors. Grants will be available to doctoral students who wish to participate in field studies for their dissertations or for other purposes. Master’s candidates, undergraduates, and post- Contact information doctoral fellows are not eligible. Questions concerning the FRANKLIN and LEWIS AND CLARK Award programs should be directed to Grants will depend on travel costs but will ordinarily be in the range of several hundred Linda Musumeci, Director of Grants dollars to about $5,000. and Fellowships, at LMusumeci@ amphilsoc.org or 215-440-3429. Deadline January 15; notification in May. Information updated July 2010. Plant Biology 2010

Bonjour and Bienvenue! Highlights from Plant Biology 2010

JOINT ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS AND THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGISTS—LA SOCIÉTÉ CANADIENNE DE PHYSIOLOGIE VÉGÉTALE

With a pinch of European flair and a splash graduate students to highly distinguished ASPB awards and recipients, please visit of metropolitan sophistication, Montréal professors, convened to share their latest the ASPB awards page at http://www.aspb. serves up the perfect “broth” for those seek- research developments and take advantage org/awards.) ing a getaway in the city. However, as this of the informational sessions to improve After the opening address, Steven grand metropolis played hostess for Plant their research and study. Jacobsen from the University of Califor- Biology 2010, a handful of chloroplasts and This year’s convention commenced with nia, Los Angeles, delivered the Charles a smidgen of Arabidopsis DNA made the ASPB and CSPP Awards Ceremony, Albert Shull Award Winner Lecture on Montréal’s “broth” of attractions a little where ASPB President Tuan-hua David DNA methylation in Arabidopsis. This greener than usual. Ho welcomed a diverse group of attendees award recognizes a young scientist with Plant Biology 2010—a joint meeting of and recognized PB2010 as a collabora- an inquiring spirit and zeal for his or her ASPB and the Canadian Society of Plant tive effort between the two sister plant work in the field of plant biology. The Shull Physiologists (CSPP)—was held July 31 to societies. CSPP President Carl Douglas Award honors Dr. Charles Albert Shull for August 4 in an environment rich with dis- first acknowledged the Canadian society’s serving as one of ASPB’s earliest supporters cussion of the latest breakthroughs in plant award winners, turning the ceremony over and as the first editor of Plant Physiology. science. Joining the many ASPB members to President Ho for the presentation of Steven investigates the genetics of Arabi- who trekked north were scientists from 44 the ASPB awards. More than 20 honorees dopsis thaliana through studying cytosine other countries, for a final attendee count received recognition, ranging from the DNA methylation and gene silencing. Typi- of 1,426. Adolph E. Gude, Jr. Award, which notes an cally, cytosine DNA methylation results in By offering an agenda filled with sym- outstanding contribution to plant biol- a heritable suppression of gene transcrip- posia, poster sessions, and industry and ogy, to the Early Career Award, which tion, indicating that methylation might act academic networking events, Plant Biology honors exceptional creativity and inde- as a defense mechanism of the genome. 2010 welcomed a diversified global popula- pendent societal contributions to people Since Arabidopsis exhibits developmental tion of plant biologists and enthusiasts. A not exceeding five years post-PhD. (For abnormalities from mutations that would broad spectrum of researchers, from under- more detailed information about the 2010 normally eliminate methylation in another

10 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 organism’s genome, the plant serves as a prime model for Steven’s lab to examine mutants that affect DNA methylation. In his lecture, Steven questioned the inheri- tance patterns of methylation and revealed the three different pathways for cytosine methylation: CG methylation, CHG methylation, and CHH methylation. While ASPB Leadership in Public Service Award, Nina discussed the inappropriate regula- initial DNA methylation requires DNA Nina Fedoroff, took the podium to deliver tions that continue to impede the introduc- methyltransferase DRM2 enzyme (homol- a lecture titled, “On the Front Lines of the tion of GM crops on a broad scale. Although ogous to mammalian Dnmt3), the upkeep Global GMO Debate.” As a pioneer in the “golden rice” has increased concentrations of preexisting methylated sites through the field of plant and molecular biology, Nina of beta carotene and can help decrease the CG methylation pathway requires the main has contributed greatly to the development vitamin A deficiency in communities rely- enzyme DNA methyltransferase MET1 and of modern techniques for modifying ing on rice as a staple food, the horticulture the cofactor ORTH2/VIM1, both of which plants. She publicly promotes the scientific of golden rice remains a scientific dream are homologous to mammalian Dnmt1 perspective on the advantages of using because public fear and disapproval have en- and UHRF1, respectively. The CHG and genetically modified organisms for crop cumbered the rice’s release to farmers. Nina CGG methylation pathways differ from the improvement while serving as science and concluded her dynamic lecture by reiterating previous pathway in that the CHG meth- technology adviser to U.S. Secretary of the need for the public to escape its “cocoon ylation requires DNA methyltransferase State Hillary Clinton. of fear.” She encouraged plant scientists to CMT3, whereas the CGG pathway func- Public concern about the safety of persevere and live by a few simple words of tions by continuous targeting of DRM2 GMOs continues to grow, but Nina stated wisdom: “Patience. Keep researching and and small interfering RNAs. that the economic benefits of GMOs out- explaining. Humanity needs your help.” weigh the negative repercussions of using “Cocoon of Fear”: The GMO such a powerful molecular tool. Classify- Industry vs. Academia: Choosing Debate ing organic farming to be less efficient, less the Right Path to Success The opening address and awards ceremony productive, and more expensive than tra- In addition to offering attendees an array of concluded with what seemed to be one of ditional farming, she touted the economic science-oriented symposiums, Plant the hot topics of this year’s conference— benefit of wide use of GMOs to be roughly Biology 2010 presented young scientists genetically modified organisms in the pub- $9 billion, with a cumulative benefit in with a glimpse of careers in both academia lic spotlight. The 2010 recipient of the excess of $50 billion. continued on page 12

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 11 Plant Biology 2010

continued from page 11

and industry. The career workshop “Is Industry the Right Choice for You?” pro- vided a forum for discussion about plant science careers in industry. In a post-dinner talk, Crispin Taylor, ASPB’s executive direc- tor, advised graduate and postdoctoral students of the key demands that apply to success in management. Although a mas- career, Beth concluded her talk by calling Sunday morning symposium organized by tery of scientific skills will jump-start a suc- attention to the evolution of the academic Z. Jeffrey Chen from the University of Texas cessful career in the field of plant biology, career, stating that the most successful aca- at Austin, which featured Loren H. Crispin advocated honing one’s skills in demic researchers have an industry-driven Rieseberg. Loren, from the University of critical thinking, project management, mindset. British Columbia, addressed the role of attention to detail, time management, pub- The lectures concluded by highlighting hybridization in evolution. Hybridization lic speaking, writing, and networking. the motivation behind a career in indus- may lead to genetic diversity and acquisi- Following Crispin’s address, Elizabeth try or academia. Many scientists migrate tion of novel adaptations; however, some Hood, from Arkansas State University, dis- toward a career in the academic arena view hybridization as an event with little cussed the dissimilarities between a career because of a higher prevalence of publica- evolutionary significance. The limited sup- in industry and a career in academia. Beth tions produced from scholarly institutions port for either viewpoint prompted Loren’s now serves as Arkansas State’s associate than from industrial companies. When discovery of a new method for identifying vice chancellor for research and technology, faced with a career opportunity in aca- recent and ancient hybrids through analysis but she did not always have stability in her demia or industry, scientists must realize of a single genome. career. As a full-time member of a start-up that “Perception does not meet reality. Loren informed the audience of the company in earlier years, she explained that Industry focuses on making products, not necessity for uncovering the historical she faced the risk for failure on a daily basis. publications.” context of hybridization. Through ob- A successful start-up company, unlike the servation of polyploidy speciation in the individual-based study often associated with Polyploidy, Heterosis, and environment, he has revealed that nearly academia, requires everyone to focus on the Genomic Plasticity 15% of flowering plants and nearly 31% of same goal at hand and work as a team. After While Montréal’s locals got in a few extra ferns have undergone polyploidy specia- emphasizing to the audience the importance hours of sleep or enjoyed a leisurely Sunday tion. This polyploidy speciation analysis of being willing to take risks throughout a brunch, conference-goers indulged in a has allowed for the discovery of hybridiza-

12 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 tion prevalence through analysis of a single family and a career. Shirley referenced the Undergraduate Research: plant genome, revealing that hybridization words of Nancy Hopkins, who called her- A Glance into the Future of Plant occurs more frequently than previously self “a nun of science,” and proposed that Biology Researchers anticipated. women in science may benefit from having Plant Biology 2010 provided undergraduates On a related note, Pamela S. Soltis, from a role model to help them navigate a career with an opportunity to present their research the University of Florida, presented her path that does not always accept the idea of to an eager and knowledgeable audience. research on polyploidy in Tragopogon. She having your cake and eating it too. Undergraduate students presenting their has used natural models of Tragopogons If one strategizes and makes the most of research accomplishments to conference mirus and Tragopogons miscellis originat- the connections and information they can attendees had the ideal setting in which to ing from eastern Washington and Idaho to obtain through their professional society, advance their skills in networking and pro- examine the genetic and genomic effects of the individual—whether male or female— fessional protocol while also receiving recog- polyploidization; however, both species did will acquire the skills needed for a success- nition for their commendable triumph in the not exist in North America before Europe- ful career. Shirley further reiterated the im- academic arena. an settlement. Homeolog loss and homeo- portance of planning when she encouraged Francisca Villar, from Lehman College log silencing observed in tetraploid forms women in the plant community to “not go of the City University of New York, enthu- of Tragopogon have led Pamela to conclude for 50%.” Instead, “accept the full-time job” siastically presented her results from an that a substantial amount of evolutionary and then negotiate the conditions that will investigational study of “Phototolerance change has occurred in the short amount of allow for a family life outside of academia. to Toxic Heavy Metals by American and time since Tragopogon’s inhabitance within As the head of the Directorate for Edu- International Rice Oryza Sativa Cultivars North America. cation and Human Resources Programs of In Vitro: Implications of Remediation of the AAAS, Shirley understands the impor- Contaminated Sites.” Finding the “Third Way” tance of distinguishing your achievements In her research, Francisca examined rice Some sociological studies insinuate that in the scientific world. “Big things mean phytotolerance to heavy metals that contami- women may have to make sacrifices to have more to me,” Shirley said. “Yes, women nate the water used for crop irrigation. She both a successful career and a family. may put out fewer scientific publications, explained that her personal experience with Shirley Malcom, the keynote speaker for but they have a greater impact. The third her grandmother’s battle against Alzheimer’s the Annual ASPB Women in Plant Biology rail powers you. Know who you are and be disease served as the driving force for her in- Luncheon, urges female scientists to find honest with yourself about what works to terest in crop exposure to heavy metal toxins. the “third way” in order to have both a keep you in the game.” continued on page 14

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 13 Plant Biology 2010

opening remarks distinguished the differ- ence between the research of yesteryear and the present day by stating that a clear line once separated basic research and applied research, but now a merging of the two types of research has blurred that line into continued from page 13 India, the A-301 type cultivars exhibited the nonexistence. “Originally, I wanted to be a doctor be- most resilience to heavy metals, whereas Scientists have evolved their focus in cause of my experience with the Alzheim- the primary rice cultivars found in both plant biotechnology. Centuries ago, plant er’s disease that affected my grandmother,” North America and India did not survive. breeding held center stage, but then the she said. “When I got to college, I learned Francisca’s poster reveals that A-301 rice concentration turned to tissue cell culture about how plant research can be used to cultivars successfully removed cadmium and plant regeneration. The current focus further develop aspects of investigation and zinc from the soil. of plant research revolves around DNA into human disease. My particular research “Considering A-301 rice cultivars’ ability and plant genetic transformation; how- focuses on the association between heavy to successfully remove heavy metals from ever, this too will soon come to end. Thus, metals and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. the soil, we now want to test the prospect the inevitable question arises: “What’s We knew that Itai-Itai disease [which causes that this rice could operate as a candidate next?” The answer: continued advance- a softening of the bones] has been specifi- for phytoremediation,” Francisca said. ment of plant biotechnology through cally linked to heavy metal contamination promoting the wide usage of GMOs in of rice crops, but we wanted to know the The Next Wave of Plant agriculture. specifics behind the presence of heavy Biotechnology When organizing this final symposium, metals in the rice.” After dedicating four days to spotlighting David wanted to equate different geographic Her lab observed the chlorophyll the current trends of plant science and perspectives and find a balance between content of rice from three continents to research, Plant Biology’s closing sympo- industry and academia. The major sym- quantitatively analyze the effect of heavy sium (ASPB President’s Symposium) on posium united Roger Beachy from NIFA/ metals on rice crops. Of A-301 rice cultivars Wednesday, August 4, provided attendees USDA and Danforth Plant Science Center, from Japan, IR36 rice cultivars from North with a preview of the future of plant sci- Wilhelm Grussiem from the Swiss Federal America, and B217 rice cultivars from ence. ASPB President Tuan-hua David Ho’s Institute of Technology, Paul Quick from

14 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 the International Rice Research Institute, Vipula Shukla from Dow Agroscience, and David Fischhoff from Monsanto Company. Roger Beachy’s lecture seemed to pick up where Nina Fedoroff’s discussion ended just a few days prior. As the new director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture past to begin investigation of the science Au Revoir, Plant Biology 2010 (NIFA), Roger devotes much of his time that will guarantee the present and future of Overall, Plant Biology 2010 provided an to finding solutions for societal challenges the planet. environment for linking industry, academia, through research in food and agriculture. He Global food security poses a larger and the hottest emerging topics in plant sci- noted challenges with energy consumption, threat to the public on a daily basis; thus, ence. But even more important, the meet- environment, and health and compared the scientists must battle the “perfect storm” ing zeitgeist was refreshingly open, with next wave of biotechnology to a crest that arising from this agricultural deficit. Al- several attendees noting the willingness of must support the weight of success. though he voiced his concern for Europe’s presenters—whether in plenary symposia, To ensure that scientists do not hurtle narrow acceptance of GMOs, Willi empha- concurrent sessions, or at the posters—to into the metaphorical rocks residing un- share newly generated data and ideas. Such sized that the problem with food security derneath the crest of plant biotechnology, candor and openness surely help the plant threatens the world, not just a select group Roger promotes the idea of team-driven re- biology community to advance knowledge of territories. search rather than individual science explo- and, thereby, better serve humanity. He concluded his lecture with four key ration. Additionally, a need for scientists to Be sure to join us next summer for Plant connect with the public will aid to increase issues that scientists face in the global debate Biology 2011 in Minneapolis, Minnesota! T on GMOs: the urgent need to address the acceptance of using agricultural biotechnol- Sarah Ousley ogy. In the end, the public will ultimately world’s health and food-security needs, University of Texas implementing the knowledge gained from College of Natural Sciences decide the fate of transgenic products. BS Human Biology Student Willi Gruissem’s lecture on crop improve­ past and present breeding programs, gener- ment and biofortification offered the Euro- ating public trust in novel traits, and invest- pean perspective on GMOs. Willi issued a ing in research and development to develop plea to scientists trying to understand our new crops.

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 15 Plant Biology 2010 Final Party!

16 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Montréal, Canada

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 17 Plant Biology 2010

Award Honorees at Plant Biology 2010 Congratulations to the winners of this year’s ASPB awards. The following presentations were made during the Saturday, July 31, ASPB Awards Ceremony in Montréal, Canada.

2010 award winners (back row, from left): R. Keith Slotkin, Norman Hüner (CSPP), Patrick Boyle (CSPP), Wayne Snedden (CSPP), Ralph Quatrano, Gary Stacey, Stan Roux, Alice Cheung, Mark Brodl, Jane Ellis. (front row, from left) Athanasios (Sakis) Theologis, Nam-Hai Chua, J. Derek Bewley, Ashley Galant, Sabeeha Merchant, A.S.N. Reddy, Elizabeth Hood, Sudhir K. Sopory.

Adolph E. Gude Jr. Award recognition beyond the boundaries of the to 1997, testifying regularly before Congress This monetary award honors the Gude plant biology community. on behalf of plant biology research. He be- Family, who made possible the establishment Ralph’s efforts to ensure excellence, gan his service to professional societies and of the Gude Plant Science Center. The award, fairness, and broad representation of many boards as treasurer of the Society for Devel- established by the Society and first given in fields in plant biology have had a strong opmental Biology from 1981 to 1984. From 1983, is made triennially to a scientist or lay and lasting influence across ASPB and the 1991 to 1994, he served on the Society’s person in recognition of outstanding service plant sciences in general. Ralph played an Executive Committee. He has also devoted to the science of plant biology. important role in shifting the plant biol- considerable energy throughout his career ogy field into the limelight from the late to service on editorial boards, including the Ralph Quatrano 1980s through today, through his work as board of Annual Review of Plant Biology, Ralph Quatrano’s scientific contributions scientist, as ASPB president, as editorial and grant review panels at NSF, USDA, and and his multifaceted and stimulating ser- board member for Science, and as editor in many NIH study sections. vice to the plant sciences community in the chief of The Plant Cell, as well as through In addition to his national and inter- United States and around the world are many other consensus-building activities. national efforts, Ralph has left a legacy extensive. Ralph’s scientific contributions Ralph was one of the original members of of excellence in research and in building have been distinguished. He has published, the editorial board of The Plant Cell starting powerhouse programs at each of his home and continues to publish, major influential in 1989, and he served as its chief editor institutions, including Oregon State Uni- papers in the fields of cell polarity, abscisic from 1998 to 2003, expanding the scope versity (until 1986), as research manager at acid signaling, and genomics, including and impact of ASPB’s flagship journal dur- Dupont (1986–1989), as chair of biology recent publications on desiccation tolerance ing this entire time. He was ASPB president at the University of North Carolina at in Physcomitrella patens (Science, 2010) and in 1992–1993 and during that time created Chapel Hill (1989–1998), and as Biology as corresponding author on the completion the Office of Public Affairs to promote the Department chair and dean at Washing- of the Physcomitrella patens genome visibility and funding of plant science. Sub- ton University in St. Louis since 1998. He sequence (Science, 2008). His research on sequently, he served as the first chair of the has been very supportive of young plant cell polarity has earned him widespread ASPB Public Affairs Committee from 1994 scientists around the globe in many areas of

18 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 plant biology. He has offered this support in The Plant Cell, provided important infor- only defined a suite of transcription factors a quiet and easygoing way and always with mation about the evolution and substrate that control the development of stomata, the necessary ingredient—humor. His sup- specificity of hGS. She is now using pro- but she has also shown how these factors port of plant biologists has been selfless and teomics approaches to identify proteins that are modulated by the MAP kinase cascade. refreshing and has benefited the entire plant are structurally altered following oxidative “I know of no other developmental system biology community. stress. This project has required her to in plants where the two processes have been develop some new protein labeling meth- linked up so well,” one supporter wrote. ASPB–Pioneer Hi-Bred Graduate odologies. Her research to define the “redox Overall, Dominique’s contributions during Student Fellowship proteome” is expected to result in an the past five years have influenced not only This award, made possible by the generosity of increased understanding of how plants our understanding of stomatal develop- Pioneer Hi-Bred International (http://www. respond to oxidative stress. Ashley has a ment, but more generally of cell fate and pioneer.com), recognizes and encourages strong interest in intellectual property and patterning in plants and in other multicel- innovative graduate research and innovation technology transfer. She hopes to ultimately lular organisms. in areas of plant biology that relate to work where academic and industrial sci- More specifically, Dominique elucidated important commodity crops. One $22,000 ence interface, perhaps as a technology the roles of three basic helix-loop-helix fellowship will be given annually from 2010 transfer liaison. (bHLH) transcription factors that are through 2013, with an additional $1,000 specifically expressed in stomatal lineage Charles Albert Shull Award awarded for the recipient to attend the ASPB cells and act sequentially as positive regula- annual meeting in the year of their award. Created in 1971 to honor the Society’s tors of stomatal formation: SPCH, which Each nominee must attend a U.S.-accredited founding father and the first editor-in-chief promotes meristemoid formation; MUTE, college or university and must demonstrate of Plant Physiology, this award is designed to which promotes the asymmetric divisions interest in the study of plant biology or a recognize young researchers. It is a monetary that subsequently amplify the stomatal related discipline. Each nominee must be a award made annually and is given for lineage; and FAMA, which promotes the PhD candidate (i.e., have successfully passed outstanding investigations in the field of symmetric division that creates guard cell their preliminary examinations), must plant biology by a scientist who is under 45 pairs. Sequentially acting bHLH proteins demonstrate an excellent academic record, years of age on January 1 of the year of had previously been shown to regulate cell and must be a member of ASPB. An individu- presentation, or who is fewer than 10 years fate in neuron and muscle development in al may receive this prize only once. from the granting of the doctoral degree. The animals, but never before in plants, where recipient is invited to address the Society at Ashley Galant Dominique has made spectacular progress the annual meeting the following year. Ashley Galant is the 2010 recipient of the in understanding stomatal patterning. ASPB–Pioneer Hi-Bred Graduate Student Dominique Bergmann Dominique’s next significant accom- Fellowship. Ashley is a PhD student in the Dominique completed her PhD in 2000 plishment was to elucidate a mechanism for plant biology graduate program at Wash­ working at the University of Colorado, integration of positive and negative regula- ing­ton University in the laboratory of Dr. Boulder, on developmental axis formation tory pathways. Her lab showed that SPCH Joseph Jez at the Donald Danforth Plant in C. elegans. It was through this work that can be phosphorylated in vitro by MAPKs Science Center. She studies oxidative stress she established her current interest in 3 and 6 (the “endpoint” of the negative in soybean, an important crop plant that is understanding cell polarity and asymmetric regulatory pathway) within a small domain especially sensitive to ozone. Her disserta- cell division and their relationship to cell fate. that distinguishes SPCH from the other- tion research focuses on understanding She took this interest to Chris Somerville’s wise very similar bHLH proteins MUTE how oxidative stresses alter the structure lab at the Carnegie Institution in the and FAMA, and that phosphorylation of and function of soybean proteins. She stud- Department of Plant Biology at Stanford this domain is critical for SPCH function ies the soybean enzyme homoglutathione University for her postdoctoral fellowship. in vivo. This discovery provides a mecha- synthetase (hGS), which regulates synthesis As a postdoctoral fellow, she established her nism by which the earliest acting positive of homoglutathione, a peptide that buffers focus on asymmetric divisions during sto- regulator of stomatal formation, SPCH, can the cellular redox environment. Using matal development. In 2005, she was be down-regulated by extracellular signals X-ray crystallography, Ashley solved the appointed as assistant professor in the transduced by a MAPK cascade (the nega- structure of hGS in several different forms. Department of Biology at Stanford. In her tive regulatory pathway). It also provides Her work, which was recently published in own laboratory at Stanford, Dominique not insights into the general problem of how a

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 19 Plant Biology 2010

MAPK pathway that impacts many process- represents one of the earliest examples of mosses to investigations of dormancy es can act in one specific process (stomatal trace metal–regulated gene expression to mechanisms in seeds. Derek obtained his development) via phosphorylation of a provide metabolic flexibility in nature. PhD degree from Queen Elizabeth College, temporally and spatially localized effector Today, the concept of backup metabolic University of London, in 1968. After a post- (the unique domain of SPCH). routes, as proposed by Sabeeha, is well doctoral with Abe Marcus in Philadelphia, Dominique has made other notable appreciated and recognized by chemists, he was appointed assistant professor at the contributions as well. Her group contributed biologists, and oceanographers. A few years University of Calgary in 1970. In 1985, he to the discovery of a putative ligand for the later, a genetic tour de force led to the dis- was appointed professor and chair of bot- negative regulatory pathway EPF1. They also covery of novel thylakoid membrane pro- any at the University of Guelph, becoming identified a regulator of root vascular devel- teins that participate in the assembly of university emeritus professor in 2006. His opment, a novel regulator of asymmetric cell cytochromes c. Subsequent analyses of the interest in seed dormancy began as a PhD division, and two tissue-specific regulators genome databases indicate that these pro- student, and he is arguably best known for of stomatal patterning. Dominique has also teins, named CcsA and Ccsl, are character- his work in this area. His reputation is analyzed the role of orthologs on the bHLH istic molecules that define one of three established by his seminal contributions to transcription factors in grasses and moss. genetically distinct routes to holocyto- our knowledge of the role of the endosperm Mainly thanks to her work, the stomatal chrome formation. Then, in yet another in seed dormancy, but many also know him pathway can now be considered to be the area of research, Sabeeha identified a long- from his influential books on seed germina- best worked-out pathway for stepwise cell sought-after enzyme in the chlorophyll bio- tion. Derek carried out groundbreaking specification and restriction of developmental synthetic pathway—MgProtoporphyrin IX research on desiccation and rehydration potential. Accordingly, her work is exclusive- monomethylester cyclase, or CHL27— using the moss Tortula as a model system. ly published in top-ranking journals. Two which is responsible for the synthesis of He later extended these investigations to statements by supporters sum up her contri- protochlorophyllide. Most recently, she has angiosperms and helped unravel the role of butions: “The identification of a transcrip- been recognized for coordinating the abscisic acid in the dehydration response of tional network and its emerging connections Chlamydomonas genome project, including seeds. He has received many awards for his to upstream signaling factors in this process the startling discovery (in collaboration outstanding contributions to plant biology, is not just of temporary interest, but will be with two co–principal investigators) of including election to the Royal Society of textbook material for many years to come.” hundreds of new proteins that function in Canada, the Gleb Krotkov Award of the And, “she has made stomatal differentiation photosynthesis and chloroplast biogenesis. Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists, the most completely understood model for and election as a corresponding member cellular differentiation in plant biology.” Charles Reid Barnes Life Membership Award of ASPB. Charles F. Kettering Award This is the oldest award, established in 1925 Corresponding Member Award This award was established by an endowment at the first annual meeting of the Society This honor, initially given in 1932, provides from the Kettering Foundation in 1962 to through the generosity of Dr. Charles A. life membership and Society publications to recognize excellence in the field of photosyn- Shull. It honors Dr. Charles Reid Barnes, the distinguished plant biologists from outside thesis. It is a monetary award to be given in first professor of plant physiology at the the United States. The honor is conferred by even-numbered years to an individual for University of Chicago. It is an annual award election on the annual ballot. The commit- meritorious work in photosynthesis. for meritorious work in plant biology; it tee selects no more than three (3) candi- provides a life membership in the Society to Sabeeha Merchant dates, and these are placed on the ballot for an individual who is at least 60 years old. Sabeeha Merchant has made multiple major approval of corresponding membership by Membership is not a requirement for the discoveries. Early on, she established the majority vote. The president notifies award, and if appropriate, every fifth award functional equivalence of cytochrome c and successful candidates of their election. 6 should be made to an outstanding plant plastocyanin and described the molecular Election of a corresponding member is to be biologist from outside the United States. basis of their “either/or” pattern of expres- considered each year, and held if warrant- sion where iron-containing cytochrome c6 J. Derek Bewley ed, provided the election will not increase serves as a “backup” in a copper-deficient J. Derek Bewley is a quintessential plant the number of corresponding members environment for copper-containing plasto- physiologist whose research interests beyond two (2) percent of the dues-paying cyanin in photosynthesis. This finding range from desiccation tolerance in membership.

20 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Geoffrey B. Fincher more than 30 years. He has made major con- fields of molecular plant physiology and Geoffrey B. Fincher is a professor at the tributions to the fields of photosynthesis, plant biotechnology. He has made seminal University of Adelaide and has an outstand- especially pigment dynamics, light acclima- discoveries in understanding the mechanisms ing record of achievement for his research tion, and stress physiology. His research has of light and stress regulation of gene expres- into the biochemistry of plant cell walls. had an impact in the fields of lipids, tree sion in plants. He identified phytochrome- Research in Geoffrey’s laboratory has physiology, and natural products/secondary mediated regulation of enzymes in nitrate focused on the biology of cell walls in cereal metabolites. In 1983, he led a study on the assimilation and demonstrated phospho­ grains and has included investigations of physiological events of forest trees in the ino­sitide signaling in light-mediated the chemical and physicochemical proper- context of the “new forest decline” in Europe. expression of genes. He has also dissected ties of cell wall polysaccharides; the purifi- He participated in the development of new stress signal transduction events and devel- cation and characterization of enzymes remote sensing technologies to classify the oped transgenic plants tolerant to abiotic responsible for the hydrolysis of major wall forests on the basis of airborne information, stresses, including salt and drought. He has constituents; the developmental patterns of which helped provide insight into the death published over 190 papers in international these enzymes; and, more recently, their of trees across Europe. In recent years, he has journals and 50 book chapters. He is a fellow genetics, molecular biology, and X-ray crys- identified important enzymes in isoprenoid of the World Academy of Sciences, the tal structure. He has also contributed to the biosynthesis in plants. He has published Belarus Academy of Sciences, and the development of research through his role as more than 380 research articles and reviews Indian Academy of Sciences. cofounder of the Australian Centre for in journals and books. He has been widely Sudhir received his BS and MS degrees Plant Functional Genomics and the recognized in Europe for his work, receiving from J & K University and a PhD degree Australian Plant Phenomics facility. three honorary doctorates; three medals from the University of Delhi. He completed Geoffrey received his undergraduate of merit from scientific societies; and postdoctoral training at the Max-Planck and PhD degrees from the University of “Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande,” the Institute for Zuchtungsforschung, Koln, Melbourne. He was a postdoctoral fellow highest scientific tribute that is awarded in Germany; the University of Texas at Austin; at McGill University and the Brewing Germany. and the Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory Research Foundation and was visiting Hartmut received his PhD in botany at USDA in Beltsville, Maryland. He served scientist at Carlsberg Laboratory, Denmark; from the University of Heidelberg in 1961. as a faculty member at Jawaharlal Nehru the Sainsbury Laboratory, United King- He completed postdoctoral research at the University for 23 years before becoming the dom; and CERMAV-CNRS, Grenoble, University of California with Professor group leader in Plant Molecular Biology at France. At the University of Adelaide, he Melvin Calvin before joining the faculty the International Centre for Genetic Engi- has served as professor, associate dean of at the University of Münster and later the neering and Biotechnology in New Delhi, research, head of the Department of Plant University of Karlsruhe, where he has India. He has trained 29 PhD students and Sciences, and deputy dean for the Faculty served as head of the Botanical Institute. 25 postdoctoral researchers and served on of Science. He is currently the director of He was a member of a group that laid the editorial boards for 14 journals. the Waite Agricultural Research Institute foundation for the Federation of European and deputy CEO of the Australian Centre Societies of Plant Biology and helped the Early Career Award for Plant Functional Genomics. He has organization achieve major influence and The Early Career Award was instituted by also served as the director of the CSIRO develop ties with other plant-oriented soci- the Society’s executive committee in 2005 to Flagship Cluster on Healthy Complex eties. He has served on numerous editorial recognize outstanding research by scientists Cereal Carbohydrates. Geoffrey has been boards including Photosynthesis Research, at the beginning of their careers. This award a member of ASPB for more than 20 years Physiologia Plantarum, Journal of Plant is a monetary award made annually for and served two separate terms as moni- Physiology, and Tree Physiology. He has exceptionally creative, independent contribu- toring editor of Plant Physiology, as well promoted the exchange of young scientists tions by a member of the Society who is not as in editorial roles at journals including to Germany from the United States and has more than five years post-PhD on January 1st Plant Molecular Biology, Planta, BioEnergy been an active member of ASPB for more of the year of the presentation. Research, and the Journal of Cereal Science. than 40 years. R. Keith Slotkin Hartmut Lichtenthaler Sudhir K. Sopory Keith Slotkin, a new assistant professor at Hartmut Lichtenthaler has been a professor Professor Sudhir K. Sopory is a highly rec- The Ohio State University, is recognized for at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, for ognized and decorated plant biologist in the his significant contributions in the field of

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 21 Plant Biology 2010

plant epigenetics and transposable element Award before going on to earn her PhD in the Society for at least 10 years are eligible silencing. Keith entered the field of plant plant physiology at Clemson University. for nomination. Recipients of the Fellow of biology as an undergraduate at the Over the past two decades, Jane has estab- ASPB honor, which may be granted to no University of Arizona, where he conducted lished herself as an outstanding teacher in more than 0.2% of the current membership undergraduate research with Vicki college classrooms, teaching a broad array each year, receive a certificate of distinction Chandler. He obtained his PhD in plant of undergraduate courses including plant and a lapel pin. biology at the University of California at physiology, medicinal plants, tropical biol- Julia Bailey-Serres Berkeley, working on heritable transposon ogy, general biology, and others. Her repu- University of California, Riverside silencing with advisers Damon Lisch and tation among high school teachers and Julia is a pioneer in the field of translational Michael Freeling. In his postdoctoral work college professors around the country is regulation and mRNA stability. Her work at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, under excellent, leading to her success in a variety revealed the importance of polysomal the mentorship of Robert Martienssen, of national leadership positions. She served mRNA and cell type specific mRNA expres- Keith was exceptionally creative in per- on the ASPB Education Committee from sion during plant stress in response to flood- forming experiments that combined epi- 2005 to 2010, serving for two of those years ing and low oxygen stress. Julia served ASPB genetics and gametophyte development in as chair. Under her leadership, the commit- as a member of the Program Committee ways that had not been previously done. tee expanded ASPB’s presence at high-profile from 2003 to 2006 and was a monitoring edi- His research findings opened a new conferences such as the annual meetings of tor of Plant Physiology from 2002 to 2007. research topic, studying the epigenetic reg- AAAS, NABT, and NSTA and made signifi- She is currently an associate editor of Plant ulation of the pollen grain. In evaluating cant strides in offering more educational Physiology. both single genes and taking genome-wide support for ASPB members. Jane has repre- approaches, he has made outstanding sented the plant biology community at a Mark Brodl research contributions that have produced number of national meetings where the Trinity University publications in Nature, Genetics, Cell, future of science education was being Mark is a vibrant member of the Society Nature Genetics, and The Plant Cell. Keith planned. With collaborators, she received a who has pioneered innovative programs to has also excelled at teaching. He was grant to generate and pilot inquiry-based bring undergraduate research to the forefront named an Outstanding Graduate Student activities to illustrate the 12 Principles of of ASPB and invigorate the Society member- Instructor and received a Teaching Plant Biology that will be publicly available ship. Most notable of these is the Summer Effectiveness Award at the University of for middle school and high school teachers Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) California at Berkeley. As a postdoc, he co- around the country. Jane has also pre- awards program. In addition, Mark has taught genetics with a focus on plant genet- sented work related to plant science educa- served ASPB as treasurer and as a member ics at both Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory tion at national and international of the Education Foundation (2000–2009), and Queens College. conferences, authored numerous educa- the Executive Committee (1998–2009), and the Excellence in Teaching Award Committee Excellence in Education Award tional articles in the ASPB News and else- where, and been very active in training (1993–2002), which he chaired from 1996 to This award was initiated in 1988 to recognize future science teachers. In summary, Jane 2002. He also is recognized for research that outstanding teaching, mentoring, and/or Ellis has established herself as an outstand- investigates the effects of heat-induced educational outreach in plant biology. It is a ing educator and advocate for plant biology changes in ER proteins and lipids on seed monetary award to be made annually in education. germination. recognition of excellence in teaching, Alice Cheung leadership in curricular development, or Fellow of ASPB Award University of Massachusetts authorship of effective teaching materials in Established in 2007, the Fellow of ASPB Alice has made seminal advances in our the science of plant biology. Award may be granted in recognition of understanding of sexual reproduction in Jane Ellis distinguished and long-term contributions to flowering plants. In particular, she has used Jane Ellis has a long history as an outstand- plant biology and service to the Society by cellular, molecular, and biochemical ing plant science educator. Early in her current members in areas that include approaches to define pollen–pistil interac- career, Jane taught high school biology and research, education, mentoring, outreach, tions that result in growth and guidance of chemistry. She was recognized with the and professional and public service. Current pollen tubes toward the ovule. Alice is a South Carolina Science Teacher of the Year members of ASPB who have contributed to monitoring editor of Plant Physiology and

22 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 was a coeditor of a well-received focus pathogen attack. He is a dedicated educator David Stern issue on membrane trafficking published in and was recognized as the Outstanding Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research 2008. Currently, she is the principal inves- Science Mentor in the Field of Biology at at Cornell University tigator and key coordinator of an NSF- Colorado State University. He served on the David is recognized for his seminal work funded Research Coordination Network ASPB Program Committee for three years on plastid RNA stability and nuclear–cyto- grant on pollen biology, and she cochaired and played a central role in organizing sev- plasmic interactions. Through his research, the symposium on pollen biology at Plant eral successful annual meetings for the he identified chloroplast RNA binding pro- Biology 2010. Society. In addition, he has served on the teins and ribonucleases directly involved in ASPB Executive Committee as the elected plastid RNA processing and chloroplast Gloria Coruzzi representative of the Western Section. He is RNA stability during environmental stress. New York University a monitoring editor for Plant Physiology. David served ASPB as a coeditor of The Gloria is internationally recognized for her Plant Cell from 1994 to 2003. He also pioneering work in plant systems biology. Stan Roux served on the ad hoc Publications Visions She has identified networks regulating University of Texas Subcommittee in 1998 and the ad hoc nitrogen use, in particular the structural Stan is recognized for his studies of plant Strategic Planning Committee in 2005. He and regulatory genes controlling asparagine signal transduction including his seminal currently serves on the Charles Albert Shull biosynthesis. Furthermore, she identified studies of the role of calcium in phyto- Award Committee. gene networks regulating seed evolution chrome signaling and gravitropism. More through systems analysis of gymnosperm recently, he has revealed a role for plant Elliot Meyerowitz phylogenomics. Gloria’s leadership was ecto-apyrases and annexins in calcium California Institute of Technology instrumental in producing a special issue of signaling and polar growth. He is well Elliot’s groundbreaking research in the Plant Physiology in 2003 that was devoted known for his enthusiasm for plant biology 1980s originated the ABC model for the flo- to systems biology. Gloria also served as an and for mentoring many young plant biolo- ral organ identity, which is used to this day associate editor for Plant Physiology from gists. He served ASPB as a member of the to explain flower pattern development. His 2001 to 2005. editorial board of Plant Physiology from creative approaches to study cell-fate deci- 1985 to 1992, as chair of the Publications sions and their regulation have influenced Elizabeth Hood Committee from 1992 to 1996, and as a much of plant biology. Elliot is a vigorous Arkansas State University member of the Executive Committee from public advocate for plant science and played Beth’s fundamental studies of cell walls 1992 to 1996. a key role in organizing the community of and targeted gene expression in maize led scientists to sequence the Arabidopsis to the development of methods to provide Gary Stacey genome as a model system. In addition, value-added products and a low-cost supply University of Missouri Elliot, along with Chris Somerville, was a of enzymes for biomass conversion. Beth Gary is recognized for his research on founding editor of ASPB’s online free- has served ASPB as an active member of nitrogen fixation, where he has identified access publication, The Arabidopsis Book. the Women in Plant Biology Committee factors produced by the bacterium and host that are essential for functional symbiosome and was instrumental in initiating the formation and nitrogen fixation in soybean. Lawrence Bogorad Award career workshops for students and post- His current work focuses on the develop- for Excellence in Plant Biology docs. She served as chair of the Women in ment of tools to study soybean gene func- Research Plant Biology Committee in 2001, as a tion. Gary has been a vocal advocate of The ASPB Lawrence Bogorad Award for member of the ASPB Executive Committee plant biology and has served on the ASPB Excellence in Plant Biology Research was and Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2005, Public Affairs Committee since 2004. He approved by the Society’s executive committee and as chair of the ASPB Board of Trustees has chaired the committee since 2006 and in 2005 to honor Dr. Bogorad’s many in 2004–2005. recently helped fill a critical gap left by the contributions to plant biology, including his A.S.N. Reddy departure of the previous public affairs influential efforts to bring the techniques of Colorado State University director. Gary also served as associate edi- molecular biology to bear on problems in plant Reddy has made seminal contributions to tor for Plant Physiology in 2005 and was biology; his groundbreaking research on our understanding of calcium signaling in the coeditor of the legume special issues in chloroplast genetics, biogenesis, structure, and plants as well as significant insights into 2003 and 2005. He has also served on the function; and his inspired teaching and mRNA splicing and plant responses to ASPB Executive Committee. mentoring. The ASPB Lawrence Bogorad

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 23 Plant Biology 2010

Award for Excellence in Plant Biology involvement not only in the United States During his career, Sakis made funda- Research is a monetary award made but also in many countries in both Asia mental discoveries relating to the physi- biennially to a plant scientist whose work and Europe. Nam-Hai’s most unique and ology of fruit ripening, the mechanism both illuminates the present and suggests unparalleled achievement is the transmis- and regulation of ethylene synthesis and paths to enlighten the future. This award sion of his amazing energy and infectious action, and the molecular basis of auxin was awarded for the first time in 2006. excitement as a plant biologist to more action. For example, he was the first to than 130 young postdocs and students isolate the gene for ACC synthase, which Nam-Hai Chua over the past 30 years, many of whom are catalyzes the rate-determining step in Nam-Hai Chua has been a pioneer and now leaders in diverse fields in academic ethylene biosynthesis, and he was the leader in plant biology research and has or industrial institutions around the globe. first to clearly show that auxin rap- contributed significantly to the develop- That is ultimately the highest contribution idly stimulates transcription of specific ment of fundamental tools essential to a scientist can make: to “enlighten the genes. Those in the field acknowledge conducting molecular research in plants. future.” that Sakis’s early work laid the founda- Among his early innovations and discov- tion for our current detailed knowledge eries are the characterization of chloro- Stephen Hales Prize of auxin signaling. During the last part phyll protein complexes, the cloning and This award honors the Reverend Stephen of his career, he was a pioneer in the demonstration of nuclear genes encoding Hales for his pioneering work in plant effort to move plants into the genomics cytoplasmically synthesized chloroplast biology published in his 1727 book age. In 2000, the sequence of Arabi- proteins, and the identification of plant Vegetable Staticks. It is a monetary award dopsis chromosome 1 was published in cis-elements and transcription factors. established in 1927 for a scientist, whether Nature in the same issue as the complete The Chua laboratory pioneered the use of or not a member of the Society, who has genome sequence. The chromosome 1 transgenic plants to study gene regulation served the science of plant biology in some paper had multiple authors, of course, controlled by light, hormones, stress, organ noteworthy manner. The award is made but Sakis was both the senior and corre- specificity, defense, and the circadian clock, annually. The recipient of the award is sponding author of this landmark paper. paving the foundation for the current invited to address the Society on a subject in In short, Sakis effectively integrated the understanding of plant signal transduction plant biology at the next annual meeting. qualities of research scientist, educator/ pathways. Nam-Hai’s current research mentor, and leader in the field of modern continues to unravel key regulatory Athanasios (Sakis) Theologis plant hormone biology and genomics, and mechanisms in light and abscisic acid Sakis Theologis is recognized for his sus- in so doing he served the science of plant signaling and proteolysis and RNA-based tained and outstanding contributions to biology in a most noteworthy manner. T controls. He has had a broad impact on plant science for more than 30 years. Until advances in plant research through cre- his recent retirement from active research, ation and sharing of powerful tools, Sakis was an adjunct professor in the including the strong constitutive promoter Department of Plant and Microbial from the cauliflower mosaic virus, the Biology at the University of California at glucocorticoid-mediated transcriptional Berkeley and a research scientist at the induction system, the estrogen receptor– USDA/ARS–UC Berkeley Plant Gene based transactivator, and Arabidopsis Expression Center. Sakis established a mutant screens based on luciferase imag- superb record of professional service, ing in planta. These tools have been including being a founding instructor of widely used by both academic and indus- the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory trial biotechnology researchers in the Arabidopsis summer course and a key plant community worldwide. Nam-Hai member of a small group of scientists who has also served the community as a whole imagined, developed, and led the multi­ through his efforts editing numerous national Arabidopsis Genome Initiative protocol books and by serving on edito- (AGI). His enthusiasm for science is evi- rial and advisory boards since the 1980s. dent and pervasive, and he has been a His scientific contributions are truly truly inspiring mentor and colleague to international in nature, with significant many plant biologists.

24 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 The Eric E. Conn Young Investigator Award Recognizing Outstanding Research by Plant Scientists at the Beginning of Their Careers

ASPB is pleased to announce the Eric E. Outlines of Biochemistry, which Conn Young Investigator Award, a new has been translated into six award that will recognize not only outstand- languages, and by editing the ing research, but also a demonstrated com- 16-volume Biochemistry of Plants: mitment to outreach, public service, A Comprehensive Treatise, a foun- mentoring, or teaching by a plant scientist dation for many of the recent no more than five years post-PhD. The advances in plant biochemistry. award will be offered for the first time in In recognition of his excellence 2011 and on a biennial basis thereafter. in teaching, Eric was awarded the The Eric E. Conn Young Investiga- University of California, Davis, tor Award was approved by the Society’s Prize for Teaching and Scholarly Executive Committee to honor Eric Conn’s Achievement. Graduate students, Eric E. Conn many contributions to plant biology. Eric is postdoctoral fellows, and visiting best known for his research on cyanogenic scientists who worked with him This award honors Eric’s contributions in glycosides in plants, by which he and col- over a period of more than 40 years at the plant biology by recognizing young scientists leagues described novel structures, biosyn- University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, and who will be inspired to follow in his foot- thetic mechanisms, and distributions in the UC Davis were mentored by example and steps. The inaugural Eric E. Conn Award will plant kingdom. The latter work aided in direct support, both in and out of the lab, be given at the next Plant Biology meeting in refining the taxonomy of acacias and into productive careers of their own. His Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 6, 2011. eucalypts, and in recognition of these contri­ active role in the field of plant biology led Information about nominating a candidate butions, the acacia A. conniana was named him to become president of this Society in for this award will be posted on the ASPB for him. Eric has energetically propagated 1986–1987. For his many contributions, he website early next year, and nominations for his knowledge by coauthoring with Paul was elected to the National Academy of Sci- this and all other 2011 awards will be ac- Stumpf the classic biochemistry textbook ences in 1988. cepted until March 1, 2011. T

ASPB Debuts New Website

This issue of the newsletter contains informa- formed, which has been very active in creating Matt Escobar tion on two initiatives that I discussed one audience and content guidelines in addition to California State University, San Marcos year ago in my final president’s letter: enhanc- providing suggestions and feedback through- Rodrigo A. Gutierrez ing ASPB connections and opportunities out the overhaul process. I’d like to thank and Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile with NIH (see article on page 32 of this issue) congratulate the committee members on what Rob Last and overhaul of our Society’s website. has been achieved through their help: Michigan State University By now many of you have probably already Tyrell Carr Jen Moon visited the new website: http://aspb.org; if University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill University of Texas at Austin you haven’t, I encourage you to do so. Just to Angus Murphy recap, the website overhaul process started Charles Chen Purdue University two years ago, with a survey sent out first to Japan International Research Center for the Executive Committee of ASPB and then Agricultural Studies Anneke Prins to all ASPB members, asking for suggestions Frank Dohleman University of Exeter on design and content of a new website. After Monsanto Company Ian Street receiving over 200 responses to the survey, Kateri Duncan Dartmouth College an ad hoc website overhaul committee was Syngenta Biotechnology continued on page 26

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 25 New Website that the style of the site is consistent with done in the past, and also by audience. Serv- continued from page 25 other materials produced by ASPB. Finally, ing up content by audience should facilitate Sarah Swanson much valuable feedback on a draft version of use of our website by nonscientists such as University of Wisconsin the website was received from attendees at K–12 educators and the general public. The Michelle Xicotencatl-Lozano ASPB’s annual meeting in Montréal. Thanks entire front end of the website and all static Escuela de Biologia, BUAP Mexico to those of you who participated in that pages are ADA compliant, which also ensures The actual website revision was done process—you will find that many of your that the site is accessible to anyone with by Wendy Sahli, ASPB’s manager of market- suggestions have been incorporated into the slower network connectivity. Included with ing and web services. Although the basic final design of the website. the new website is an ASPB iPhone app that website platform was purchased from While the new site contains all of the in- gives members access to their profile, groups, yourmembership.com, Wendy had to do a formation included at the old website, it also and member directory. Search for “ASPB” in great deal of custom programming to inte- has many additional features. In particular, the the app store to access the free download. grate the site with the extant ASPB member- new website accommodates many different One last comment is that you no longer need to remember your ASPB membership ship database and custom applications, such types of social networking. From the “Online number to enter the members-only areas of as the Diversity Bank and grant application Community” link on the toolbar, website users the website. This was the #1 request from forms. ASPB’s membership, meetings, and can choose to participate in several online the web survey—you asked and we listened! marketing specialist, Shoshana Kronfeld, communities, including a community for Although the new website has now debuted, also played a part in integrating member- all ASPB members, communities for each of it is still possible to provide feedback and ship forms and content. In addition, Wendy the ASPB sections, and user groups created suggestions. Simply send an e-mail with and Jean Rosenberg, director of meetings, by groups of individuals who share common your comments to [email protected]. T marketing, and membership, worked with interests in plant biology—a format analogous a professional design firm, Sharp & Co., as to Google groups. Thus, each user can create Sally Assmann Immediate Past-president, ASPB well as with the website overhaul commit- and manage his or her own customized web Wendy Sahli tee to create a modern and engaging “look presence. In addition, on the new website, Manager of Marketing and and feel” for the new website and to ensure information is parsed both by content, as was Web Services, ASPB

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26 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Membership Corner

ASPB members share a common goal of promoting the growth, development, and outreach of plant biology as a pure and applied science. This column features some of the dedicated and innovative members of ASPB who believe that membership in our Society is crucial to the future of plant biology. If you are interested in contributing to this feature, please contact ASPB Membership at [email protected].

5. Have you found a job or hired 10. What advice would you give to a anyone using ASPB job postings or plant scientist just starting out? networking at the annual meeting? Let your enthusiasm be the driving When I decided to do a postdoc force behind your research work. outside my home country, ASPB’s 11. What do you think is the most website was the first place I looked. I important discovery in plant biology also will use this great feature to over the past year and why? recruit talented people to join our The greatest discovery in 2009, I research program. would think, is the breakthrough 6. Do you still read print journals? If in identification of ABA receptors. so, where do you usually read them: ABA receptors have attracted much Name: Han Xiao work, home, library, in the car, on attention in the field because of the Title: PhD, Principal Investigator the bus, or somewhere else? hormone’s importance in agriculture. Place of Work or School: Shanghai In the electronic era, it is far more In the past year, several papers Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese convenient to read papers online. described the identification of ABA Academy of Sciences Occasionally, I read printed journals receptors and their crystal struc- Research Area: Plant Development at home or in my office. tures with bound ABA. Those studies revealed the complicated Member Since: 2005 7. Have there been any issues in plant nature of plant development and biology in which you thought ASPB 1. Has being a member of ASPB helped response to environments by phyto- should be involved or that led you to you in your career? If so, how? hormone ABA. I have attended many excellent meetings consider becoming active in the hosted by ASPB, which provided great governance of the Society? 12. What do you think is the next “big opportunities for exchanging scientific ASPB could be more involved in thing” in plant biology? ideas and networking. ASPB also issues such as global warming and The next “big thing” in plant biology I provides useful information online biofuel and their impact on food would expect is lab bench tools for that helps me stay up-to-date with security. integrating the massive information generated from various omics studies ongoing plant research activities. 8. What do you see as the most and then providing testable models/ important role for scientific societies 2. Why has being a member of ASPB networks. been important to you? such as ASPB? Many times I feel ASPB is my “home Scientific societies can provide many 13. What do you still have left to learn? town,” where I can find lots of things I services to meet our demand for As the Chinese proverb says, “You are need, from great networking with scientific knowledge. The most never too old to learn.” There are lots plant biologists around the world to important one would be providing a of fascinating things about plants I current plant research work. platform with rich resources that is want to know. T freely accessible to everyone around 3. Was someone instrumental in the world, just like APSB is providing getting you to join ASPB? a variety of resources for education Esther van der Knaap, my postdoc and teaching. adviser at the Ohio State University. 9. What could ASPB do better? 4. What would you tell nonmembers to ASPB could provide more resources encourage them to join? to plant researchers in developing It is important to join active scientific countries. societies if you want to become an active researcher. ASPB is the right society for plant biologists around the world.

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 27

Public Affairs

Conversation with NIFA about AFRI RFAs

This past spring, ASPB President Tuan-hua availability of AFRI program staff to man- mentioned that NIFA would explore ways to David Ho wrote to Roger Beachy, director age Coordinated Agricultural Projects modify the Foundational Programs to “allow of the National Institute of Food and (CAP), which may be quite large and submission of more innovative investigator- Agriculture (NIFA), expressing the Society’s involve many collaborators. initiated work whose outcome may serve the overall support for NIFA’s Agriculture and Beachy has offered a response to ASPB’s future of U.S. agriculture” and will identify Food Research Initiative (AFRI) while also letter that thanks the Society for its thought- and develop best practices for management conveying the concerns of ASPB members ful comments and underscores NIFA’s inten- of the CAP grants. with some aspects of AFRI’s fiscal year 2010 tion to increase support for discipline-based The FY2011 AFRI RFAs are expected to be Requests for Applications (RFAs). In par- research through its Foundational Programs released before the end of calendar year 2010. ticular, these concerns include the small from 25% of AFRI funding to 30%; more- The letters to and from Beachy are be- amount of funding for foundational over, the amount of available funding would low, including notes to provide additional research, the narrow focus of the six prior- increase proportionately with the growth context. T ity areas within the AFRI RFAs, and the of the AFRI budget as a whole. He also

American Society of Plant Biologists April 27, 2010

Dr. Roger Beachy Director National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building; Room 305-A 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Dr. Beachy: I am writing on behalf of the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) and its membership, which—as you well know—includes a preponderance of scientists whose research interests tend toward fundamental discovery but also many researchers whose work collectively spans the continuum from fundamental plant science to its applications in the field. Due to the interest of our membership, ASPB has been an ardent and long-term supporter of competitive research funding by the United States Department of Agriculture, as well as by other agencies. We recognize and support the notion that, to conform to the Department’s overall mission, USDA-funded research must span the bench-to-field continuum. Furthermore, ASPB endorses the recent restructuring of the USDA’s research portfolio and the progressive and ambitious stances that are emerging as a result. Our membership is very supportive of the recent increases in funding for AFRI competitive research programs, and we are especially encouraged by the efforts of this administration to significantly increase future funding.1 We understand the practical and political needs to see clear outputs deriving from the Department’s research funding portfolio, as well as the establishment of more pro- grams that are jointly conceived and run by the USDA and other federal science agencies. We also support efforts to provide rigorous peer review to both the extramural and intramural programs at USDA to ensure their relevance and continued future success.2 However, since the release of the highly anticipated RFA under the new AFRI research structure,3 I and others in the ASPB leadership have been fielding many messages of concern from ASPB members in the university and ARS communities, although there is also much to be excited about. Among these very positive elements, we fully endorse the focus on the goals outlined in the NRC “New Biology” report that are strongly highlighted in the RFA.4 Indeed, we have conveyed our strong support for this report during our meetings in Washington, in part due to the fact that this report envisions many areas in which plant biology research will enable progress toward solving the grand challenges it lays out. The (pending) seventh component of the RFA also promises increased fellowship support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, which is so important to ensure the future health of the plant and agricultural research endeavor by selecting and encouraging the brightest students to pursue agriculturally relevant studies.5 continued on page 30

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 29 Public Affairs

ASPB to Roger Beachy continued from page 29 We note that the RFA strongly endorses the coordinated agricultural project (CAP) model that had been used successfully in the past for crop-centric projects. The idea of a fully integrated effort to tackle problems of critical national importance is compelling. However, in our view, not all of the past CAP projects were highly successful, and some suffered from issues of effective management and a lack of sufficient funds to provide critical mass once divided across so many participants. It is clear that the success of these CAP grants will require active participation of current AFRI program staff to gauge progress, to address problems that might arise, and to ensure that goals are being met. One of our major concerns is that the already over-worked AFRI program staff will be unable to provide sufficient oversight given the large increase in the number and scope of CAP awards reflected in the current RFA. We note that this issue does not seem to have been addressed in the RFA or any of the recent public statements made by NIFA personnel. As I indicated, our membership has conveyed a number of other issues, as well as questions, that we would like to bring to your atten- tion. Our intent is to share these with you in the spirit of cooperation and with a view toward influencing your thinking as planning for the next RFA begins in due course. First, there is significant unease about the small amount of funding available for foundational research programs.6 We understand that NIFA’s intent is to grow this program in future years and we expect that to happen. However, there is some concern regarding the prospects for significant increases in future funding given the current fiscal climate.7 Yet basic research is the intellectual engine that drives the more applied outcomes that are so important to the USDA mission. As such, ASPB feels at the same time USDA expands programs for large-scale, integrated bench-to-field projects, it is vital for AFRI to maintain a broad, stable research enterprise. Although we often hear calls for greater support of “innovative” and “impactful” research, clearly paradigm-shifting discoveries cannot be predicted or engineered. Hence, the only way to ensure that such discoveries occur is to continue to provide robust and growing support for foundational research by individual investigators. The AFRI RFA released March 21 offers very specific guidance organized around the six priority areas identified by Secretary Vilsack. No doubt the purpose of this specific language was to provide guidance to avoid confusion over the goals of these new programs and to ensure that submitted proposals were relevant and complete. However, an unintended outcome is that the guidance is focused so narrowly that it seems to preclude a large number of fundamental scientists from submitting proposals. This narrow focus also tends to limit the kind of cre- ative and innovative research described above that frequently leads to novel findings and unanticipated connections and advances. This is of particular concern regarding more junior investigators. Indeed, the cynical view is that the RFAs are written so narrowly that only a few institutions are targeted for support. Although we fully understand that this is not the intent, leaving this false impression in the community undermines support for the larger, progressive goals of NIFA. Although we appreciate the effort made by you and the department to explain the bigger picture in which the 2010 AFRI RFA should be placed during your webcast on March 22,8 we would appreciate seeing similar outreach efforts throughout this process. Indeed, ASPB stands ready to help in that endeavor and, at a minimum, we’d be delighted to publish both this letter and your response to it—in addition (of course) to the support work we have been doing for the NIFA/AFRI Stakeholders’ Workshop that was held in Washington, D.C., on April 13.9 To conclude, we believe that NIFA funding should accomplish at least two goals. To be sure, it should seek solutions to the pressing issues outlined in the six priority areas, a goal that is well addressed in the current RFA. However, a second and larger goal should be to maintain a robust and sustainable U.S. agricultural research enterprise, one that is both poised and adequately resourced to address future challenges. In our view, the narrow focus of the current RFA and its emphasis on large, multi-institution projects does not provide the basis for addressing this second goal. We hope that AFRI will structure its review panels for proposals that are submitted this year in a manner that can address these con- cerns. We hope, too, that Congress will see fit to grant President Obama’s request for AFRI in the FY2011 budget, and we will continue to work diligently in support of that objective—and also to offer whatever assistance you may wish in the event that FY2011 budgetary exigen- cies oblige you to revise your plans for AFRI’s next major RFA. Finally, we recognize that AFRI and NIFA face a lot of challenges in getting up and running. Meeting these challenges illustrates how much more money is needed for research, and we hope the administration continues to view AFRI as a worthy endeavor and requests sig- nificant funding increases bringing the program to the authorized level of $700 million in due course. Sincerely,

Tuan-hua David Ho President, ASPB Washington University in St. Louis

30 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Public Affairs

Notes 1. The Obama Administration proposed a 64% increase for AFRI funding in the president’s FY2011 budget over the 2010 budget. However, Congress is likely to appropriate a budget with a much smaller increase, likely closer to 15–20%. 2. See http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/competitive_peer_review.html for more information about NIFA peer review for competitive grant applications. 3. See http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/afri_rfa.html for the seven AFRI requests for applications (RFAs). 4. See http://dels.nas.edu/Report/Biology-21st/12764 for more information about the National Research Council’s 2009 report A New Biology for the 21st Century. 5. The RFA for predoctoral/postdoctoral Fellowship Grants was released in June 2010. See http://www.aspb.org/publicaffairs/research/ USDANIFA_2010Fellowship.CFM for additional information. 6. NIFA planned to devote $64 million to the Foundational Program within AFRI in FY2010 out of a total of $262 million for AFRI. 7. See note 1 above; Congressional appropriations may be far below that proposed by the president. 8. An archived version of the webcast is at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/newsroom/webcast.html. 9. See http://www.aspb.org/publicaffairs/stakeholders/ for information about the Stakeholders’ Workshops on Plant and Pest Biology, which ASPB has coordinated since 2002.

Dr. Tuan-hua David Ho, President American Society of Plant Biologists 15501 Monona Drive Rockville, MD 20855-2768 United States Department of Agriculture Dear Dr. Ho: Research, Thank you for your letter dated April 27, 2010, regarding the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, Education, and Economics which is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). We value your interest in AFRI and appreci-

National Institute ate your thoughtful comments. The suggestions in your letter, as well as those provided by other stakeholders, will be carefully of Food considered before we begin developing the fiscal year 2011 AFRI requests for applications (RFAs). Stakeholder comments and Agriculture received to date are posted on the http://www.regulations.gov website and can be accessed under Docket #NIFA-2010-0001. 1400 Independence Avenue SW As you know, the AFRI program has been restructured to be more responsive to important national issues, such as those Washington, DC 20250 identified in the FY2010 challenge area RFAs. Despite the focus of the RFAs on the challenge areas, it continues to support single-investigator and/or small-team projects. In FY2010, about 25% of AFRI funding will be used to support discipline- based research through its Foundational Programs. These programs support work that helps to build the foundation of knowl- edge needed to solve both current and future problems, offering grants of $500,000 to $750,000 in total. It is our intent to increase support of Foundational Programs to 30% of AFRI funding in future years, allowing for a greater investment in disci- pline-based work over time. As the budget for AFRI grows, the amount of funding available for these programs will increase proportionately. Your concerns about the somewhat narrow focus of the Foundational Programs were communicated by other stakeholders as well. NIFA will explore ways to modify the Foundational Programs in the future to allow submission of more innovative, investigator-initiated work whose outcome may serve the future of U.S. agriculture. We acknowledge the challenges inherent in reviewing and managing grants of the size offered by the AFRI program this year. Members of the AFRI program staff are consulting broadly, both within and outside NIFA, to identify and develop best practices for effective management of these programs. We are excited about the significant outcomes that are expected by these grants and feel confident that the NIFA program staff has the experience and creativity needed to address program management challenges as they arise. Thank you, again, for your support of the AFRI program and for taking the time to comment on the FY2010 RFAs. We will give your suggestions full consideration as we move forward. We expect to release the FY2011 AFRI RFAs before the end of the calendar year. Sincerely,

Roger N. Beachy Director

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 31 Public Affairs

NIH 101 at Plant Biology 2010

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the individual IC, with the final funding deci- nation’s largest life sciences funding agency, is sion made by its director—informed by taking an increasing interest in plant biology. specific guidance from the IC’s external ad- For the first time, NIH sponsored a booth at visory committee—on the basis of scientific the Plant Biology meeting, joining its U.S. merit, programmatic considerations, and the federal colleagues from the Department of availability of funding. Agriculture, Department of Energy, and At the NIH 101 session in Montréal, CSR National Science Foundation. Two NIH rep- Deputy Director Cheryl Kitt emphasized resentatives offered a vibrant and interactive that NIH is looking for impact, i.e., a sus- workshop, NIH 101, to help tained, powerful influence Cheryl Kitt participants understand the “There is no amount of on the field. Although NIH, navigate its funding grantsmanship that will new core review criteria search grants, are also available to research- programs, and prepare appli- turn a bad idea into a also consider significance, ers at selected institutions; they are meant to cations that will be competi- good one…but there are investigator, innovation, not only support meritorious research, but to many ways to disguise a tive for funding. good idea.” approach, and environ- strengthen the institution’s research infra- NIH has an annual budget ment, it is the overall structure and expose students to research. — Dr. William Raub of more than $31 billion, Past Deputy Director, NIH impact/priority score that Study section members and ad hoc most of which goes to support determines the rank order reviewers are drawn from the scientific com- extramural scientific, medical, of the proposal. munity from among those who have a track and behavioral research at universities, hospi- NIH has recently made changes to the record of publications and extramural fund- tals, and research centers across the country peer-review process by restructuring the ing, but it is not required that this funding be and around the world. In fact, unlike many application, especially by decreasing its from NIH. Unlike many other agencies, the other federal agencies, NIH research grants length (e.g., the research strategy section is composition of NIH study sections is made are generally not limited to U.S. citizens or now limited to 12 pages for most proposals, public, and grantees can request a list of those working within the United States. down from 25), enhancing the review criteria, study section members 30 days in advance of NIH funding opportunity announce- changing the scoring system, and implement- the study section meeting or find this infor- ments may be either Requests for Applica- ing structured critiques. NIH is also giving mation on the CSR website. Priority scores tions (RFAs), which are meant to spur re- special consideration to researchers designat- are made available to applicants one to two search in a defined area and have a set-aside ed as Early Stage Investigators (ESIs), defined days after the study section meets, with sum- budget, or Program Announcements (PAs), as those who have not competed successfully mary statements available within 30 days (10 which support broad categories of research for an NIH research grant and are within days for ESIs and other new investigators). and are submitted on a regular cycle with 10 years of completing a terminal research Michael Bender, program director with no special set-aside budget. Applications degree; those identified as ESIs will receive a NIH’s National Institute of General Medi- submitted under either of these mechanisms greater likelihood of funding for R01 applica- cal Sciences (NIGMS), emphasized that his are generally managed by the Center for Sci- tions, NIH’s main research grant mechanism, institute is interested in fundamental entific Review (CSR), which oversees NIH’s and new investigators are reviewed separately knowledge that may subsequently contribute peer review process; CSR and its scientific from more established investigators. to understanding of disease. He suggested review officers (SROs) are separate from the R01 research project grants are NIH’s pri- that prospective grantees make the case for NIH institutes and centers (ICs) that actu- mary funding mechanism for investigator- how the proposed research contributes to ally provide funding for grants and that are initiated research. They are awarded for up knowledge relevant for health rather than where program directors are located. to five years with up to $500,000 per year in making too great a stretch to a specific dis- Upon receipt of an application, CSR as- direct costs; in addition, they generally may ease. NIGMS, which alone had a budget of signs it to a particular study section for peer be renewed by competing for an additional more than $2 billion in the 2010 fiscal year, review and determines which IC will receive project period. R15 grants, which support supports a large number of foundational the application after it has been reviewed. small research projects at institutions that research grants and devotes approximately Decisions of what to fund are made by the have not been major recipients of NIH re- 10% of its budget to research training.

32 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Public Affairs

Kitt and Bender offered several pieces of advice to prospective NIH grantees within The NIH 101 session in Montréal is one the ASPB community: outcome of a sustained effort, led by • Focus on impact; that is, how the pro- ASPB Immediate Past President Sarah posed research will exert a sustained, M. (Sally) Assmann (Penn State powerful influence on the field. University), to build connections • Emphasize how your research will con- between ASPB and NIH. tribute to health—but don’t oversell the The initiative has emphasized that application of your research to a particu- ASPB members are engaged in a wide lar disease if not warranted. NIGMS, in diversity of fundamental and applied particular, supports fundamental research plant biology research, much of which with a more general relevance to health. Michael Bender has applicability for human health, in- • Include a cover letter with your applica- cluding nutrition, drug discovery, and tion, in which you can request a specific funding if they will share their proposals contributions to fundamental knowl- study section to review your proposal and with you. edge of biological systems. suggest an IC that may be appropriate to • Consider volunteering to serve as a For example, this past June, Sally fund your grant. For multidisciplinary reviewer to see the process from the inside. gave a well-received presentation to proposals, you can also identify the disci- If you wish, ASPB will be happy to submit NIH’s Nutrition Coordinating Com- plines involved to help CSR in identifying your name to CSR; just indicate your inter- mittee. Among the achievements Sally reviewers. est by e-mail to [email protected]. highlighted in her presentation were • Include a personal statement with your Kitt and Bender have also agreed to make the BioCassava Plus program, a scien- biosketch describing your ability to con- their presentations, including some additional tific collaboration between U.S. and Af- duct the research; this is especially help- slides, available to all ASPB members. Please rican scientists to address malnutrition ful for those moving into new fields. visit http://aspb.org/researchfunding/ for in sub-Saharan Africa, which has been • Review the missions of particular ICs to more information. led by the Danforth Center’s Richard help in targeting your application to the Sayre; research on plant metabolomics most appropriate IC. NIH websites that you may find helpful: to identify new pharmaceuticals, simi- • Contact the relevant program director • NIH home page: http://www.nih.gov/ lar to the way the plant-derived taxol within the IC and the SRO within CSR • NIH institutes and centers: http://www. has played a major role in treating sev- for advice about specific programs, study nih.gov/icd/ eral types of cancer; extracellular trap- sections, and the review process. These • Center for Scientific Review: http://www. ping of pathogens, from the work of NIH staff are there to help you manage csr.nih.gov/ Martha Hawes (University of Arizona); the application and award process. • Office of Extramural Research: http:// and the many fundamental discoveries • Early Stage Investigators are encouraged grants.nih.gov/ that were first made in plants, including to apply for R01 awards, as opposed to • NIH RePORTER: http://projectreporter. transposons (Barbara McClintock) and R21s and other mechanisms, since ESIs nih.gov/ RNAi (Richard Jorgensen and David receive extra consideration for R01s and, • NIH grantwriting tips: http://grants.nih. Baulcombe). thus, a greater chance of funding. gov/grants/grant_tips.htm Sally has also held a series of meet- • Sign up for the weekly NIH Guide for • NIGMS: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/ ings with NIH officials, including rep- Grants and Contracts e-mail alert from ASPB will continue to build connections resentatives of the Center for Scientific the Office of Extramural Research, which with NIH. We welcome your thoughts and Review, National Institute of General contains official notification of NIH poli- suggestions on ways that we can help foster Medical Sciences, National Cancer cies and includes all funding this relationship and similar interactions Institute, National Center for Comple- announcements. with other funding agencies. Please send any mentary and Alternative Medicine, • Consult past NIH awards by searching comments to ASPB’s Public Affairs Director, and the Office of Dietary Supplements NIH’s new RePORTER tool to see what Adam Fagen, at [email protected]. T within the Office of the Director. At NIH has funded in the past. Adam P. Fagen, PhD press time, several additional meetings Public Affairs Director, ASPB • Ask colleagues who have received NIH were planned with other institutes.

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 33 Public Affairs

Nina Fedoroff Receives Leadership in Science Public Service Award

Long-time ASPB member Nina V. Fedoroff genetic studies of Barbara McClintock. In received ASPB’s 2010 Leadership in Science subsequent years, Fedoroff’s lab showed that Public Service Award at the Plant Biology maize transposons were active in a variety of 2010 meeting in Montréal. Following in the other plants, developed transposon tagging footsteps of such past recipients as Senator systems, and studied the epigenetic regula- Kit Bond, Golden Rice developer Ingo tion of transposon activity. Her current Potrykus, Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, research is directed at understanding the former assistant director for biological sci- genetic organization and molecular dynam- ences at the National Science Foundation ics of plant stress and hormone response and ASPB’s public affairs committee chair Gary (NSF) Mary Clutter, and former Washington makes use of DNA microarray expression Stacey and Nina Fedoroff. University chancellor and Donald Danforth profiling, reverse genetics, and theoretical the National Science Board, which governs Plant Science Center chairman Bill Danforth, approaches to the analysis of large datasets. the NSF, and the Council of the National this award recognizes outstanding contribu- Nina graduated summa cum laude from Academy of Sciences, and has served on the tions to science and society. Syracuse University with a dual major in bi- boards of the International Science Founda- Nina was named science and technology ology and chemistry and earned her PhD in tion, AAAS, Genetics Society of America, adviser at the U.S. Department of State by molecular biology from the Rockefeller Uni- BIOSIS, International Scientific Advisory then Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in versity in 1972, conducting research on RNA Board of the Englehardt Institute of Mo- August 2007. The following month, Henrietta bacteriophage. She then went on to serve lecular Biology in Moscow, and the Sigma- Fore, administrator of the U.S. Agency for postdoctoral, staff, and faculty positions at Aldrich Chemical Company. She also was re- International Development (USAID), invited the University of California, Los Angeles; cently elected to serve as the 2011 president Nina to serve in the same capacity for USAID. the Carnegie Institution of Washington; and of AAAS. In these roles, she served as the State Depart- Johns Hopkins University before moving to Nina is a member of the National Acad- ment’s chief scientist and principal liaison Pennsylvania State University in 1995. At emy of Sciences, the American Academy of with the national and international scientific Penn State, she is the Willamen Professor of Arts and Sciences, the European Academy and engineering communities. During her Life Sciences and Evan Pugh Professor in the of Sciences, and the American Academy of tenure, she worked to enhance science and Biology Department and the Huck Institutes Microbiology. Among her other awards and technology literacy and capacity at the State of the Life Sciences. She is also a member honors is Sigma Xi’s 1997 McGovern Science Department and provide advice on current of the External Faculty at the Santa Fe and Society Medal, the New York Academy and emerging science and technology issues Institute. She previously served as director of Sciences’ 1992 Outstanding Contemporary as they affected foreign policy. Ironically, Nina of Penn State’s Biotechnology Institute and Woman Scientist Award, University of Chica- concluded her service at the State Department was founding director of the Life Sciences go’s 1990 Howard Taylor Ricketts Award, and on July 31, the day she received her award, but Consortium, now the Huck Institute, which Syracuse University’s 2003 Arents Pioneer she remains active in advancing conversations brought together life scientists from across Medal. In 2006, she was named a National at the intersection of science and society. seven colleges at the university for multidis- Medal of Science laureate, the nation’s highest Nina has conducted fundamental ciplinary research and teaching. award for scientific achievement. research in the molecular biology of plant Long aware of the impact of science on ASPB’s Public Affairs Committee bestows genes and transposable elements, as well as society, in 2004 Nina authored Mendel in the ASPB Leadership in Science Public on the mechanisms plants use to adapt to the Kitchen: A Scientist’s View of Genetically Service Award. The committee welcomes stressful environments. Her achievements Modified Foods, a book that examines the nominations for future awardees, which began early in her career, determining the scientific and societal issues surrounding may be sent to ASPB’s public affairs director, nucleotide sequence of the first complete the introduction of genetically modified Adam Fagen, at [email protected]. T genome while still a postdoc. She then crops. Nina has served science in many other Adam P. Fagen, PhD went on to isolate and characterize maize capacities as well. In addition to her State Public Affairs Director, ASPB transposons, building on the pioneering Department role, she has been a member of

34 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 ASPB Education Forum

Education Booth Brings Plant Biology Principles and Hot Topics Discussions to Montréal

The ASPB Education Booth at Plant Biology 2010 in Montréal featured a dynamic array of education and outreach resources for the plant biology community. Sponsored by the ASPB Education Committee and Education Foundation and coordinated by Education Committee member Chad Jordan (North Carolina State University), the booth was a popular gathering place in the main exhibit hall to discuss educational ideas, efforts, and activities for all learning levels. (above) Larry Griffing discusses teaching resources with a booth visitor.

12 Labs (top right) 12 Labs co-PIs Jeffrey Coker (left) and Jane Ellis (center ) discuss A highlight of this year’s booth was an inquiry-based teaching methods with an exhibit on inquiry-based labs for the 12 ASPB member.

Plant Biology Principles. Education (right) ASPB Education Booth provides Foundation Grant Awards Program (GAP) interesting perspectives on science recipients Jeffrey Coker (Elon University), education and outreach. Jane Ellis (Presbyterian College), and Mary Williams (ASPB) shared their research- highly interactive fashion—or find collabora- Education Booth Competition, led two based efforts to develop hands-on activities tors—led these informal sessions. For exam- discussions on strategies for active learning that can be used to teach students about each ple, Jane Ellis led an interesting discussion on in undergraduate classes. They highlighted of the 12 Principles of Plant Biology. teaching plant physiology labs with the aim ways to characterize learning styles and to Materials for four of the labs were on site for of finding ways to “modernize” her curricu- ensure that teaching strategies are sufficient- visitors to interact with, including those on lum. Eight conferees participated in this dis- ly diverse to reach students who learn better plant defenses (Mean and Green), plant uses cussion, which included sharing participants’ by doing, observing, analyzing, and so on. (A Rainbow of Uses), and plant evolution current approaches to teaching their plant The session by Penny and Stacie nicely (Seeds of Change). Jeffrey, Jane, and Mary physiology labs. The discussion then moved complemented another by Wendy Silk handed out numerous CDs with the com- to participants’ learning goals and their inter- (University of California, Davis), who plete lab descriptions and protocols, includ- ests for changing what they were teaching. demonstrated how she used music to teach ing teachers’ guides, and explained how the Conferees brainstormed a list of ideas on science. Students in her environmental sci- labs could be scaled up or down for use at how to make better use of technology, from ence class, who typically worked in groups different grade levels. The 12 Labs are now using timelapse video, to studying plant that included science majors and nonma- openly accessible on the ASPB website at growth and development, to using poly- jors, were expected to write and perform http://aspb.org/education/12Labs/. merase chain reaction of conserved regions songs to illustrate particular environmental of plant genomes to investigate evolutionary science concepts. Wendy was especially Hot Topics relationships. Conferees also made sugges- pleased that this gave her students a differ- With sponsorship from the Fralin Life tions about how to tie what they were teach- ent and very positive way to think about Science Institute at Virginia Tech, the ing to local and regional issues—for example, science and that this was reflected in her Education Committee initiated a new format by tasking students with collecting local plant teaching evaluations. Excitingly, these dis- for discussing education-related issues at the samples and identifying their evolutionary cussions continued in an even less formal annual meeting: hot topics discussions. relationships or antimicrobial properties. way as conferees thought more about one Individuals who wanted to share or get feed- Penny Humby and Stacie Reck (Crandall another’s interests and made suggestions as back on their education-related work in a University), winners of this year’s ASPB continued on page 36

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 35 Education Forum

Education Booth continued from page 35 they ran into one another in the halls of the conference center. The most lively and well-attended discus- Education Committee members Jane Ellis [front middle] and sion focused on the Vision and Change George Ude [back middle] movement to reform undergraduate biology discuss with booth visitors the 12 education (http://visionandchange.org). inquiry-based activities for plant biology. With leadership from the National Science Foundation and the AAAS, Vision and Change has spawned discussions across the country on how to change what we teach to better reflect what we do as biologists. During this session, the Education Com- mittee queried conferees for suggestions education website and at the 2011 annual Information was also made available on the about how to respond to “calls for action” meeting in Minneapolis. PlantingScience program, which is spon- put forward by Vision and Change. The sored, in part, by ASPB. College and univer- conferees unanimously requested examples Materials and Methods sity faculty involved in PlantingScience serve of how to follow the Vision and Change Over the course of the meeting, Education as mentors to high school science students recommendations, from video examples of Committee members John Cushman across the country. how to actively engage students in learning (University of Nevada, Reno) and George to example papers that are well suited for Ude (Bowie State University) joined com- Eye-Catching Concepts use in teaching students at different levels of mittee chair Erin Dolan (Virginia Tech) to Finally, booth visitors were treated to several expertise. In addition, conferees asked for talk with visitors about numerous education eye-catching videos developed through dif- an annotated bibliography of evidence that resources developed or sponsored by the ferent education initiatives. An overview of the teaching practices being championed in committee and Education Foundation. the Education Foundation-funded this movement are effective. They plan to Committee members handed out the ever- ChloroFilms (http://www.ChloroFilms.org) use this document to help convince college popular 12 Principles bookmarks. Several contest, coordinated by Dan Cosgrove (Penn and university administration that change classroom-ready teaching materials were State University), highlighted winning vid- is needed and will be effective. The Educa- made available in pre-assembled packs that eos from the first contest. Web-based videos tion Committee will use these suggestions included a list of the 12 Principles, evolution were shown from Plant Clippings, a series to guide future activities and resources to be of major plant groups, the Plants in Your that was developed by Ken Korth (University featured at future meetings and on the new Pants: Indigo worksheet, and Can you Grow of Arkansas) to accompany the 12 Principles. ASPB website. a Chew-Ooey-Gooey-Chocolate Candy Bar? These fun and informative videos are avail- information sheet. The packets also con- able at http://plantclippings.uark.edu. A Science Education Reference tained information about the Teaching Tools montage from the acclaimed sLowlife Center in Plant Biology series developed by former Exhibit developed from videos by Roger This reference center was set up to provide committee chair Mary Williams (informa- Hangarter (Indiana University) was also numerous resources for meeting attendees to tion available at http://www.plantcell.org/ displayed. peruse. Books and sample journal volumes teachingtools/teaching.dtl) to help instruc- For more information about the 2011 Ed- with information on best practices for teach- tors teach plant biology courses. Sample ucation Booth competition or other educa- ing and learning and assessment strategies materials from the Education Foundation- tion and outreach initiatives in development were available. Reprints of published pieces funded DNA for Dinner series, authored by for the next meeting in Minneapolis, please on framing science controversies for the Peggy Lemaux and Barbara Alonso contact Katie Engen at [email protected]. public, the subject of the ASPB 2009 (University of California, Berkeley), and the Merci, Montréal! T

Education Workshop, and tips for publishing Fun and Games with Food and Genetics Chad Jordan teaching scholarship were also available and worksheet were on hand. The latter was North Carolina State University popular with booth visitors. Be sure to look accompanied by baseball cards on DNA, Erin Dolan for more education references on the ASPB plant genomes, and plant breeding. Virginia Tech

36 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Education Forum

Education Workshop: Strategies for Broadening the Impact of Our Research

Past and current members of the Education Committee collaborated to present this year’s education workshop, which high- lighted ways to broaden the impact of plant biology research. Introductions at the start of the Saturday evening session revealed that the 40+ participants traveled from far and near, many from the United States and Canada but others from as far away as Jordan and Sri Lanka. Erin Dolan (Virginia Tech), Education Committee chair, started the session by explaining the concept of “broader impacts,” what constitutes a broad audience, and how to go about developing a plan to broaden Everyone enjoys collecting and exploring the evidence at the education workshop. the impact of research. Erin emphasized the need to listen to the individuals you are trying to reach to get a sense of their needs Strawberry Science: straining, and interests; consider the resources and ex- setting up, and studying strawberry extract for easy access to DNA. pertise you and those individuals have; and develop your plan to match needs, interests, resources, and expertise. For example, she recommended that those participating in education and outreach visit a classroom and ask students and teachers what they need, what they already are confident in knowing, and what their interests are before develop- Straining smushed strawberries ing any plans to work with them. Following these introductory remarks, workshop attendees rotated among four sta- Setting up a tube of juice tions to participate in hands-on and inquiry- oriented lessons appropriate for K–12 and undergraduate students: • The first station featured the much- anticipated 12 Activities for the 12 Principles of Plant Biology, a.k.a. the 12 Labs. Initiated in 2007 by Jeffrey Coker, Jane Ellis, and Mary Williams, and sup- Studying the tube of extract ported by the ASPB Education Foundation, the 12 Labs are based on website (http://www.aspb.org/education/ and learned about investigations stu- the Principles of Plant Biology (http:// 12Labs/). At this station, conferees took dents could do with plant pigments. www.aspb.org/education/foundation/ a close look with Mary and Jane at Lab • Jeffrey led everyone at the second work- principles.cfm) established by the ASPB #12, Green Ecology and Rainbow of shop station to explore and discuss the Education Foundation. The 12 Labs are Uses (http://www.aspb.org/education/ pedagogical approach for the entire 12 now available as PDFs on the ASPB 12Labs/labs/12_Plant%20Ecology.pdf), continued on page 38

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 37 Education Forum

Education Workshop The workshop ended with advice about (August 6–10) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, continued from page 37 ways members can start their own educa- is on writing grant proposals for education- Labs. He also presented pedagogies for tion and outreach initiatives. Specifically, and outreach-related projects. Principal general biology education outreach. members can and should collaborate with investigators, who have received funding • The third station was led by Larry individuals who have expertise in K–12 and from the ASPB Education Foundation as Griffing (Texas A&M University) and undergraduate education, including teachers well as through National Institutes of Health showcased an undergraduate inquiry lab and science specialists, who are the points and National Science Foundation programs, he teaches. For this lab, students identify of contact for science teaching and learning will tell their stories and share their perspec- organelles based on their characteristics within school districts. Other potential col- tives on what makes a successful educa- when visualized using green fluorescent laborators include faculty in science educa- tion/outreach proposal. Based on feedback protein tags. tion departments at colleges and universities from ASPB membership to the Education • At the fourth and final station, Erin led and informal and nonformal educators, Foundation and Education Committee, we conferees in a DNA extraction activity such as people involved in 4-H, Boys & Girls anticipate that this will be a practical and suitable for adaptation to diverse ages and Clubs, and science museums. enlightening event. Mark your calendars! T backgrounds and use as a starting point ASPB already is planning to facilitate Erin Dolan for discussing ideas in biotechnology and future outreach initiatives. The theme for the Virginia Tech molecular genetics. Education Workshop at Plant Biology 2011

Plant Physiology® 2009 “Updates” Collection Now Available

TheT first Annual Update Collection brings together all the front-section UUpdates published in Plant Physiology in 2009, along with the prologue editorials written by the guest editors of that year’s three Focus Issues.

UUpdates review recent progress in the thematic areas covered by the Focus IIssues (and more) and are written to be accessible and interesting for ppeople reading them as an introduction to a particular topic, preparing for a lecture, or making classroom assignments.

The 2009 collection covers • Grasses • Plant Interactions with Bacterial Pathogens • Legume Biology • Five additional Updates

TThe Annual Update Collection 2009 is available in a convenient printed fformat for only $35 (shipping included). To order, visit http://tiny.cc/utqiy.

38 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Education Forum

Undergraduates Enjoy Overview of Plant Biology and Networking in Montréal

Among the nearly 1,500 participants at the 2010 ASPB/CSPP joint annual meeting in Montréal were approximately 70 undergrad- uates, including 16 ASPB Summer Under­ graduate Research Fellowship (SURF) recipients. These students had the opportu- nity to hear about the latest research in plant biology, to network with colleagues around Past President Sally Assmann the world, and to present their own findings to an international audience, including during an undergraduate poster session with 32 post- SURF cochair Ken Helm ers held on the first day of the conference. The poster session began with an intro- duction by Immediate Past President Sally Assmann (Penn State University), who not only inspired the undergraduates and recog- nized their research achievements, but also gave them practical tips for successfully nav- undergraduate posters was impressive and igating such a large meeting, including many noted by many. that Sally reported using herself. Following When Ken and Amy spoke to several the introduction, undergraduate participants SURF recipients at their posters near the end discussed their work with other undergrads, of the session, the students reported that the mentors, and many other conference attend- meeting had been enjoyable, informative, ees during a lively and crowded presentation and productive. They felt fully integrated SURF cochair Amy Clore of their posters. After the session, the 2009 into the proceedings through all of the SURF recipients, several mentors, and SURF scientific and social events, including during cochairs Ken Helm and Amy Clore joined the final party where many of the 80s tunes have no doubt that the future of plant biol- for an informal luncheon where the students were older than the students. The under- ogy research will be bright if these talented had the opportunity to build connections graduates also had the opportunity to meet undergraduates are representative of those and develop professional relationships that their fellow students during the meeting, who will be conducting it. T may last throughout their careers. Posters establish an undergraduate network of sorts, Amy Clore were then relocated to the main exhibit hall, and make connections with other scientists New College of Florida where authors had the opportunity to engage from around the world. Everyone Ken and Ken Helm participants by presenting their research Amy talked to intends to pursue academic Siena College throughout the meeting. The quality of the and/or research careers. The SURF cochairs

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 39 Education Forum

Plant Biology 2010 Education Minisymposium Promotes Maximum Outreach

The Education Committee–sponsored mini- real-world issues encountered symposium at Plant Biology 2010 featured by students, with consistent speakers representing a diverse set of effective format and pedagogy as well outreach and educational programs designed as instructions for teachers to to engage and train the next generation of encourage their use. Further- plant scientists. In recognition of 2010 as the more, each module is intended International Year of Biodiversity, the mini- to be easily adapted to students’ symposium featured Frederic Pitre from the own open-ended experimental Institut de recherche en biologie végétale at designs, encouraging students the Université de Montréal and the Montréal to perform their own authentic Biodiversity Centre at the Montréal science investigations and to Botanical Garden. form spontaneous and engaged The Montréal Botanical Garden, which research communities. All hosts 1.2 million visitors per year, was materials are publicly available founded in 1935 by Herbier Marie-Victorin Speakers at the 2010 ASPB Minisymposium on Education on the ASPB website at http:// and Outreach included (from left to right) David Lally, and is the second largest botanical garden Uwe Hilgert, Jeffrey Coker, and Frederic Pitre, with aspb.org/education/12Labs for in the world, after Kew Gardens in the session chair John Cushman. use by ASPB members and for United Kingdom. One of the core missions classroom use by teachers. of the Montréal Biodiversity Centre, which wealth of Canada and the planet. This will be One of the most pressing issues for edu- is expected to open in the fall of 2010, is to accomplished by dynamic, multimedia sci- cators in the United States is how to accom- house the existing collections of the Herbier entific exhibits, including a light and sound plish meaningful science education reform. Marie-Victorin herbarium (950,000 plant show illustrating the importance of the col- One solution was offered by David Lally, specimens), the Ouellet-Robert entomologi- lections and of the study of biodiversity. Virginia Tech, who presented an overview of cal collections (1,000,000 insect specimens), Jeffrey Coker, Elon University, presented Partnership for Research and Education in the Insectarium entomological collection the 12 Labs, a series of inquiry-based activi- Plants (PREP): A Systems Approach to Plant (165,000 specimens), and the Cercle des ties to accompany the 12 Principles of Plant Science Education, developed by himself Mycologues de Montréal (4,000 fungal Biology (which include the fundamentals of and Erin Dolan, current ASPB Education specimens) in controlled environments. The plant development and diversity). The activi- Committee chair, also at Virginia Tech. preservation of these collections will aid the ties were developed and tested by Jeffrey, This innovative program seeks to improve discovery and characterization of new spe- Jane Ellis, and Mary Williams; funded by the the effectiveness of science education by cies throughout Canada and the world using ASPB Education Foundation Grant Awards engaging scientists to work directly with, new tools such as digital image capture and Program; and endorsed by ASPB for K–12 or integrate their college and university high-throughput sequencing systems. education. These inquiry-based activities research activities with, K–12 students and The Montréal Biodiversity Centre, which involve a series of simple classroom experi- teachers. Such systems integration seeks to was funded by a CND$16 million grant from ments that were developed, tested, and peer- overcome the traditional separation between the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, reviewed in the CHAMPs program at Pres- K–12 schools and universities. Students will feature innovative research and train- byterian College and at the Elon Academy at grow and observe mutants and genetically ing programs for young scientists studying the Elon University. The activites were also engineered Arabidopsis plants provided biodiversity, including a web-based querying tested in more than 25 classrooms through- by scientists using their own experimental system called Canadensys, which links col- out the United States. Jeffery presented an conditions. The students are thus engaged in lections databases and provides easy access overview of the different teaching modules, doing “real science” through active learning. to promote their use. The center is also ex- which use simple, inexpensive activities that Their discoveries may be included in peer- pected to play a major role in raising public are practical to implement in most class- reviewed research publications or initiate awareness of the threats to biodiversity and room settings. All of the modules contain a new research projects that allow students promoting solutions to preserve the natural background narrative that relates directly to to develop an improved understanding of

40 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Education Forum

Plant Biology 2010 Education Posters: Expanding Classic and Current Resources to Educate Future Plant Scientists

Once again the ASPB annual meeting offered funding from the Education Foundation’s to document how plants are featured across a robust selection of research posters. The grant program to further expand and evalu- the media. Reitmeyer concluded by making Education Committee was pleased to find the ate this effort. More details about this poster recommendations for ways experts in plant work of scientists showcasing methods they (#P04028) can be found at http://abstracts. science and English studies can collaborate use to engage K–12 and undergraduate stu- aspb.org/pb2010/public/P04/P04028.html. to better feature plants using cutting-edge dents in thinking about and doing science Michael Neff, Lori Sanderson, and Dan technologies. The abstract and contact among this year’s education and outreach Tedor (Washington State University and information for this project (#P05006) can posters. In addition to the four presentations Onalaska, Washington, School District) pre- be found at http://abstracts.aspb.org/pb2010/ that were also featured as part of the education sented another example of a quality project public/P05/P05006.html. minisymposium (see article on page 40 of this in their poster. This trio “resurrected” a plant The innovation and adaptation present in issue), 11 posters highlighted instructional physiology lab exercise that illustrates the these and other research posters is evidence materials that are aligned with state and way that plants use light, not simply for pho- that many ASPB members are making delib- national standards, as well as experiments that tosynthesis but as a source of information. erate progress in expanding and improving are age appropriate and safe for classrooms. The activity is based on a 1952 publication plant science education pedagogy and con- Hanya Chrispeels and Gloria Muday from Borthwick and colleagues; thus their tent. To participate in this facet of discipline- (Wake Forest University) and Sangeeta Negi presentation also illustrated how classic based education and outreach, you may wish (Donald Danforth Plant Science Center) pre- papers can be used in classroom settings. to consider starting a project now so that you sented their effective efforts to use heirloom Information about this poster (#P5005) is at can submit a poster to Plant Biology 2011 tomatoes as an instructional tool. Their exten- http://abstracts.aspb.org/pb2010/public/P05/ (August 6–10) in Minneapolis. T sive collection illustrates the diversity of plant P05005.html. George Ude form, which they use to teach standards- A third intriguing example by Morgan Re- Bowie State University based concepts at elementary and middle itmeyer (Purdue University) combined meta- Erin Dolan Virginia Tech school levels. Hanya and Gloria just received analytical and mixed methods approaches

Education Minisymposium biological research. One of the project’s main include DNA barcoding, which engages stu- continued from page 40 goals is to support education of and outreach dents in plant identification through short, nature and the process of science. Future to students, educators at high schools and standardized DNA regions. Students who goals of the project are to enable students, colleges, and practicing scientists. This goal amplify plant DNA and have these samples teachers, and scientists to collaborate at any will be promoted through development of sequenced analyze their data using bioinfor- distance, engage across achievement levels, discovery environments with innovative matics tools, advancing the goal of obtaining enhance reasoning and collaborations, and curricula and informal science programs that barcodes for all plant species. Lastly, students assess student knowledge and beliefs about support the production and analysis of data. can engage in the Orphan Data project, which science and scientists. Featured projects included the DNA Subway supports distributed research by connecting Uwe Hilgert, Cold Spring Harbor Labora- (http://dnasubway.org), a program that researchers who have underutilized datasets tory, presented a talk on the novel education, presents complex scientific tools and data for outreach, and training programs associated gene prediction and structural annotation in to faculty and students who wish to work with the iPlant Collaborative (http://www. an intuitive and appealing interface on which with real data. An online marketplace will iplantcollaborative.org), a National Science users “ride” different lines with defined work- index projects with available “orphan data” Foundation-sponsored project to develop flows to perform scientific analyses. “Sub- so that these can be better used for class- computer (cyber) infrastructure that provides way lines” feature gene family mining and room or independent research projects. T plant researchers and educators access to the discovery via comparison of gene sequence John Cushman large-scale datasets and high-powered infor- data to 18 other genomes to find similar University of Nevada, Reno matics tools that now drive much of modern genes from other plants. Additional projects

ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 • 41 Education Forum

It Takes the World to Raise a Scientist

The June 30–July 3 meeting of the perspectives on the role that teaching Society for Experimental Biology (SEB, plays in academic careers in the United http://www.sebiology.org) in Prague, States and the UK. Jeremy focused on Czech Republic, included an interna- how the massive expansion of education tional session on Academia: Mastering in the UK, in terms of both students a Complex Career and provided clear and institutions, is being accompa- insights into how the education of sci- nied by an emphasis on assessment. entists often transcends the boundaries Hence, university teachers are using of nations. Instead of meeting in the newer techniques, replacing didactic United Kingdom, where the SEB has its delivery with new approaches that headquarters and most of its members, facilitate student learning. I seconded meeting in Prague was perfect for dis- these thoughts, pointing out that the cussing international science issues. U.S. National Research Council report Organized by Sarah Blackford, the How People Learn by John Bransford SEB’s head of education and public (and others) should be required reading affairs, the session “described the key for those who are trying to facilitate areas of academia on which incoming learning. I also discussed what kind of and aspiring academics should focus, teaching is best done by faculty hoping including teaching, publishing, fund- for advancement in various types of ing, and wider communication.” I was institutions (two-year community col- pleased to represent ASPB at the meet- leges, four-year undergraduate colleges, ing and discuss some of our Society’s and research universities), emphasiz- educational and outreach programs, in ing the importance of stating learning addition to participating in this session objectives and providing assessment on building a career in academia and dates receive additional training that would tools on how progress is made toward presenting some of my research in other ses- open up job opportunities outside academia, those objectives. I noted that we clearly have sions. The following is a summary of that a smaller proportion feel qualified for such a lot of work ahead in science education international session. jobs. to overcome attitudes like that of the vice After an excellent introduction to the The second presentation, by Eugen Kvas- chancellor of Buckingham University who, session by Jeremy Pritchard (University of nak from the Technology Transfer Office according to The Guardian (June 29, 2010), Birmingham, UK, and chair of SEB’s Educa- at Charles University in Prague, discussed has stated that scientists “are liars . . . . They tion Committee), Izabela Stanislawiszyn commercialization of university-based re- choose facts that suit their theories, they presented current trends in the education search. Emphasizing the fact that 80% of the ignore inconvenient findings, then they try and ultimate placement of doctoral candi- discoveries in applied research are patented to bludgeon their colleagues into agreeing dates and junior researchers in the European and not published in peer-reviewed journals, with them.” scientific community. Izabela is the current he discussed how intellectual property rights One way to overcome this deep suspicion president of Eurodoc, the organization of are handled in European institutions. Get- of scientists found in many cultures would European graduate students and early-career ting a patent in the Czech Republic is very be to have a trial period, during which time researchers, which conducted the survey cheap (€5000 or about $6,500). An underly- scientists prove their worth. Interestingly, upon which her comments were based. ing assumption of his presentation was that the career path of science faculty in some Among the results of the survey, it was found the academy could and should compete European countries includes a “habilitation” that gender differences were not as strong as with industry directly, a view that could be process, during which time young scientists expected, but that doctoral candidates with debated further in the context of the role follow up on their PhD and independently children have a harder time finding stable institutions of higher learning play in nation publish, teach, and acquire third-party funding for their doctorate. In addition, building and global competition. funds. Teresa Valencak, a research fellow although around 70% of the doctoral candi- Jeremy Pritchard and I presented our at the Veterinary University of Vienna, de-

42 • ASPB News, Vol. 37, No. 5 Education Forum scribed how this process, while not necessar- first funded grant. In the UK, a personal across the boundaries of nations—but with ily obligatory for tenure-track positions nor fellowship is very important for achieving common missions—can shelter us from the connected to a certain mode of employment, the autonomy necessary to set up your own changing winds of politics while potentially is a recognized practice in Germany, Swit- research program and team. Carol drew providing a platform from which we can zerland, Austria, Russia, Poland, Hungary, attention to the variety of national and inter- speak with a common voice. In 2007, the and Slovakia. Although habilitation is not national organizations that provide oppor- U.S. National Academies published Rising pursued in the UK, reflections on the path tunities and discussed how all are extremely Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and to a successful early research career by post- competitive—each requires forward plan- Employing America for a Brighter Economic doctoral researchers were provided by John ning, presentation, and that all-important Future. This and other works that address Bothwell (Queens University, Belfast, and editing by a third party prior to submission. the U.S. investment in STEM (science, one of this year’s SEB President’s medalists), Attending this meeting of SEB, which technology, engineering, and mathematics) who contributed to the authorship of the generously provided my registration and education have the potential to give rise to Research Councils’ UK Concordat for the table space for materials from ASPB, helped isolationist attitudes in the U.S. science com- Career Development of Researchers (http:// me further appreciate the growing impor- munity because they emphasize U.S. global www.researchconcordat.ac.uk). tance of the association between ASPB and scientific competitiveness. However, I believe Communication with the public and other national and international organiza- it is in the national interest of all countries to schools (otherwise known collectively as tions, especially the SEB. Mary Williams, participate in joint endeavors to inform and, “outreach”) is becoming more important as now on staff at ASPB but living in Glasgow, by so doing, improve our ability to educate universities strive to attract local students and helped represent ASPB at the SEB meeting scientists. T explain their research and its broader impact, in Glasgow last year and will probably do so Lawrence R. Griffing thereby justifying public funding. Dominic at the SEB meeting in Glasgow again next Texas A & M Univeristy Delaney (Edvotech) gave some great advice year. SEB and ASPB have much in common. on the general dos and don’ts for conducting Both societies publish influential plant sci- Note: ASPB has joined with several other practical science with schools. He also pro- ence journals, both are actively engaging the plant science organizations from around the vided a hands-on demonstration to show how public through outreach in public education, world to establish the Global Plant Council simple and affordable equipment can be used and both are concerned with career develop- and further unite the worldwide community to demonstrate molecular biology in an excit- ment in the academy and industry. Formal of plant scientists (http://www.aspb.org/ ing way to get young people thinking about and informal associations between societies PressReleases/GPC.cfm). how science works in the real world. Publication is usually the major measure of scientific productivity by the academy. Irene Hames, managing editor of The Plant Journal and author of Peer Review Share Your Moment in the and Manuscript Management in Scientific Journals: Guidelines for Good Practice, Spotlight with ASPB Members! made a brilliant presentation on strategies and practical issues that can help early-career ASPB would like to highlight news cover­ scientists get their work published and give age about plant science. If you or your it a competitive edge. She described the pitfalls (and how to avoid them) that arise in research is being highlighted in newspapers, a publication climate that is changing fast. magazines, television, radio, movies, online, A major cause of the change is that submis- or other sources, please let us know! sions to journals are increasing rapidly, in Just send a quick note, URL, and other part from scientists in countries that have relevant information to ASPB’s public not historically competed for acceptance in affairs director, Adam Fagen, top-tier journals. at [email protected]. Finally, Carol Featherstone, a freelance science editor, described how to write a

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