July/August 2019 • Volume 46, Number 4

p. 4 p. 9 p. 12 Maureen McCann Plant Scientists ASPB Legacy Elected to Lead Elected to National Society Update— ASPB in 2020–2021 Academy of Sciences And a Look Ahead to Our Centennial Campaign

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS

President’s Letter Big Challenges Require Broad Thinking BY ROB LAST Michigan State University

This continues the experiment suing a chemistry major, of publishing the President’s I minored in both botany Judy Callis Assumes Letter as part of a collection and zoology. These de- of essays and other resources partments were highly Presidency October 1 related to the topic (https:// organismal in focus, and tinyurl.com/HumanNetworks). thus we studied animal udy Callis becomes ASPB president Please also have a look at the behavior, ornithology, on October 1, 2019. She succeeds Rob previous collections on the plant taxonomy, and my- Last, who becomes immediate past future of not-for-profit sci- cology. In this molecular J president. ence organizations (http:// biology–emergent time, Judy is a faculty member in the Department bit.ly/futurenonprofitscience), even the evolutionary of Molecular and Cellular Biology and a member security (http://bit.ly/ biology curriculum had member of the PhD graduate programs in plant SecuringFuturePlantBiologists), no nucleotides and few biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, and future careers (http://bit. protein sequences. In and genetics at the University of California, ly/NextGenerationCareers) and send your retrospect, it is apparent how lucky I was to Davis. She was born in Ohio but grew up in St. feedback about these topics and collections to be able to learn chemistry in one department Louis, Missouri, and received her AB degree [email protected] or @Biokid001 on Twitter. and organismal biology in two others. from Washington University in St. Louis in Graduate school at Carnegie Mellon and s a kid growing up in a suburb of 1977. She is grateful for excellent mentorship postdoc research at MIT opened my eyes New York City, neither biology in as a student and postdoc. As an undergraduate to the predominance of molecular biology Ageneral nor plants specifically were a Judy had the privilege of working in the labo- and model organism genetics in the biol- major fascination until 1976, when college at ratory of Virginia Walbot, which started her ogy of the 1980s. It made sense: you could Ohio Wesleyan University brought me into long interest in plant biology research. contact with organismal biology. While pur- do so much with Escherichia coli, baker’s continued on page 6 continued on page 7 Contents Council members highlighted in blue ASPB Council also serve on the Board of Directors.

President Rob Last Immediate Past President; Chair Harry Klee President-elect Judy Callis Secretary Andrew Bent 1 President's Letter Treasurer; Chair, Board of Trustees Rick Vierstra Elected Members Christine Foyer 1 Judy Callis Assumes Presidency October 1 Maureen McCann Chair, Membership Committee Jill Deikman 3 What If Plant Scientists Were as Diverse as the Chair, Minority Affairs Committee Gustavo MacIntosh Plants We Study? Chair, Publications Committee Neil E. Olszewski Chair, Women in Plant Biology Committee Laura Wayne Chair, Education Committee Sarah Wyatt 4 Maureen C. McCann Elected to Lead ASPB in 2020–2021 Chair, International Committee Anja Geitman 5 Clint Chapple Elected to Board of Directors Chair, Science Policy Committee Nathan Springer Sectional Representatives Mid-Atlantic Section Hua Lu People Midwestern Section Gustavo MacIntosh Northeastern Section Carolyn Lee-Parsons Southern Section Ashlee McCaskill 9 Plant Scientists Elected to the 2019 Class of the Western Section Kulvinder Gill National Academy of Sciences Mexico Rubén Rellán Álvarez

Environmental and Ecological 11 Natasha Raikhel Appointed Honorary Doctor at SLU's Plant Physiology Section Andy VanLoocke Faculty of Forest Sciences Primarily Undergraduate Institutions Section Leeann Thornton ASPB Staff 12 ASPB Legacy Society Update—And a Look Ahead to Chief executive officer Crispin Taylor, [email protected] Our Centennial Campaign Chief financial officer Clara Woodall, [email protected] Executive and governance affairs administrator Sylvia Lee, [email protected] Accounting manager Teressa Leath, [email protected] Section News Senior staff accountant Jotee Pundu, [email protected] Senior staff accountant Francky Rakotomanana, [email protected] 13 Plant Biology in the Mid-Atlantic Region Director of meetings and events Jean Rosenberg, [email protected] 14 ASPB’s Southern Section Holds a Successful Annual Conference coordinator Teresa Myers, [email protected] Senior membership manager Shoshana Kronfeld, [email protected] Meeting at Clemson Community engagement administrator Katie Rogers Web systems manager Mark James, [email protected] Legislative and public affairs director vacant Membership Corner Executive coordinator, Plant Science Research Network Natalie Henkhaus, [email protected] 15 Beverly Agtuca Education coordinator Winnie Nham, [email protected] Director of publications Nancy A. Winchester, [email protected] Publications assistant Diane McCauley, [email protected] Science Policy Subscriptions manager Suzanne Cholwek, [email protected] Subscriptions assistant Linda Palmer, [email protected] 17 Policy Update Managing editor Jennifer Regala, [email protected] 18 Fond Farewell to Tyrone Spady, ASPB Legislative and Science writer, Plant Physiology Peter Minorsky, [email protected] Production manager, Plant Physiology Jon Munn, [email protected] Public Affairs Director Peer review manager, Plant Physiology Ashton Wolf, [email protected] Senior features editor, The Plant Cell Nan Eckardt, [email protected] Features editor, The Plant Cell Mary Williams, [email protected] Education Forum Production manager, The Plant Cell Susan Entwistle, [email protected] Peer review manager, The Plant Cell Annette Kessler, [email protected] 19 Plant BLOOME 2019 Winners Announced The ASPB News is distributed to all ASPB members and is also available online. It is published six times annually in odd-numbered months. Its purposes are to keep membership informed 21 Announcing the 2019 Summer Undergraduate Research of ASPB activities and to reinforce the value of membership. The ASPB News is edited and Fellows (SURF) produced by ASPB staff from material provided by members and other interested parties. Copy deadline is the 5th day of the preceding even-numbered month (for example, April 5 for May/June publication). Contact: Nancy A. Winchester, Editor, ASPB News, 15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA; [email protected]; 301-296-0904. © 2019 American Society of Plant Biologists

2 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 What If Plant Scientists Were as Diverse as the Plants We Study? BY JENNIFER NEMHAUSER, University of Washington and ELIZABETH HASWELL, Washington University in St. Louis

his spring, in collabora­tion Committee, and representatives at all examine the rationales we on how we should restructure with Joanna Friesner, we the recent Plant Summit (http:// give for our efforts at improv- our educational programs (see Tlaunched DiversifyPlantSci bit.ly/NAASCPlantSummit). ing diversity and inclusion. One Resources sidebar on page 8). (https://tinyurl.com/Diversify​ One of us cohosts a podcast commonly heard justification is At the professional society level, PlantSci), an online directory of that tackles issues of scien- that diverse teams are more effec- plant biologists must do better at self-nominated plant scientists tific culture (https://plantae. tive and innovative (and this is establishing community norms who share identity with groups org/podcasts/the-taproot/), strongly supported by data). Yet, and expectations that include all that are currently minoritized in and the other is chair of her do we really want to convey to facets of professional life (for a STEM fields. DiversifyPlantSci department’s Graduate Student our trainees that their productiv- great example, see https://paleo was inspired by many different and Postdoctoral Scientist ity and efficiency are the ultimate soc.org/ethics-and-inclusion/). groups hosting similar efforts, Committee. All of that said, measure of their worth? Instead, Another necessary shift is in particular DiversifyEEB we do not consider ourselves we should improve diversity and to properly value the contribu- (https://diversifyeeb.com/). experts. We see writing this arti- inclusion in plant science simply tions of our colleagues. Beronda DiversifyPlantSci membership cle as an opportunity to reflect because it is the right thing to do. Montgomery (see Beronda’s now exceeds 250 people and in- on what we have learned, share Everyone deserves to have equal contribution to the Plantae cludes scientists who identify as some hard-won insights, and (we access to the privilege and joy of collection at https://tinyurl.com/ belonging to racial or ethnic groups hope) inspire the entire plant doing plant science and to be a HumanNetworks), Gina Baucom, other than White European or science community to enter into respected and valued member of and others doing similar work American, those who identify a deeply important conversation our community. in this space (see Resources as women, those who have dis- that results in action. Next, we must recognize that sidebar) should be compensated abilities, and those who identify Like any other STEM disci- effective solutions to diversity, for their work. This compen- as members of the LGBTQ com- pline, the plant sciences have a inclusion, and equity problems sation could take the form of munity. We aim for a scientific number of deeply entrenched demand change from powerful formal titles that recognize their community in which every con- problems with systemic bias. individuals and institutions— contributions to societies and ference, every group of reviewers Racism remains pervasive. not from the vulnerable people organizations in a way that may and editors, every special issue, Harassment on the basis of sex they are meant to serve. Ceding influence promotion or funding every list of award nominees and or gender expression happens at power is difficult, but institu- decisions, monetary compensa- recipients, every departmental every career stage, in the labora- tions must intentionally promote tion for their advocacy work seminar series, and every faculty tory, at meetings, and during the good of the community whenever possible, and funding recruitment effort reflects the true fieldwork. A lack of exposure over the propagation of exist- awards to support their science diversity of the global plant sci- to the unwritten rules guid- ing structures. At least in name, in recognition of the opportu- ences community. ing academic interactions adds recruitment and retention of a nity cost accrued when doing We write this piece as two plant another barrier to success for diverse workforce are embraced community service and advocacy. biologists committed to increas- first-generation scientists and by most institutions where plant The artificial separation between ing equity and inclusion in our those in training outside their science is done, and a solid foun- doing research and improving the institutions and organizations. Our home country. Perhaps it is no dation of evidence-based prac- environment in which research efforts are informed by our roles wonder that a substantial number tices can guide us in actualizing is done should be eliminated. We within the science community: of our trainees struggle with these goals. Some institutional envision a future in which talks professors of biology at R1 institu- mental health issues, especially and process solutions will have by our colleagues are used to tions, editors of ASPB journals, depression and anxiety. wide-ranging benefits across share new scientific discoveries elected members of the North What to do? As a starting minoritized groups. For example, American Arabidopsis Steering point, as plant scientists we must there are excellent resources continued on page 8

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 3 Maureen C. McCann Elected to Lead ASPB in 2020–2021

Maureen C. McCann becomes (formerly Public Affairs) from Maureen expressed the follow- ASPB president-elect on October 1, 2010 to 2014. In 2015, she became ing about her upcoming presi- 2019, and will assume the office of an elected member of the Board dency: president in October 2020, succeed- of Directors, and last year she was A career in academic research is, ing Judy Callis. elected a fellow of ASPB. in equal measures, hard work and From 2009 to 2018, Maureen great fun. But I believe deeply that aureen is a professor was director of the Center for academic life is a privilege and that of biological sciences Direct Catalytic Conversion of we have a collective responsibility to at Purdue University, M Biomass to Biofuels (C3Bio), entrain science for the public interest. a member of Purdue’s Center for an Energy Frontier Research As president, I would like to amplify Plant Biology, and director of the Center funded by DOE’s Office the voices of our early career scien- NEPTUNE Center for Power and of Science. C3Bio was a team of tists throughout ASPB, on Capitol Energy, funded by the Office of chemical engineers, chemists, Hill, and beyond. Global trends of Naval Research. Maureen McCann and plant biologists focused on increasing population, increasing At the national level, she was building the scientific knowledge urbanization, and climate change recently appointed to DOE’s base to convert plant materials will impact the global economy and Biological and Environmental ment-funded research institute (fast-growing trees, crop residues, agricultural system to an unprec- Remediation Advisory for plant and microbial sciences, dedicated bioenergy crops) into edented extent over the next few Committee and the National and remained there as a project liquid hydrocarbon fuels and high- decades. The remarkable metabolic Academies’ Committee on leader from 1995, funded by The value chemicals. Within C3Bio, diversity and plasticity of plants will Safeguarding the Bioeconomy. Royal Society with a University be critical to mitigate and meet these Maureen’s lab explored synthetic She previously served on the Research Fellowship. This 10-year challenges in the production of food, biology and genetic engineering USDA–DOE Biomass Research fellowship allowed her to develop feed, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, approaches to optimize cell wall and Development Technical her research interests in how the fuels, and materials for a robust and architecture and biomass structure Advisory Committee and the molecular architecture of the plant sustainable bio-based economy. for novel chemical conversion DOE Office of Science, Council cell wall contributes to cell growth To paraphrase Matt Damon’s processes. Although C3Bio was for Chemical and Biochemical and differentiation and thus to the character from the movie The funded to conduct grand chal- Sciences. Last year, Maureen final stature and form of plants. Martian as he contemplates surviv- lenge science at the atomic and participated, as one of 14 nomi- Maureen moved to Purdue in ing on Mars until and if he is res- molecular scale, the center also nated individuals, in DOE’s 2003. As an instructor, she teaches cued, we’re going to have to “science produced 11 patent applications, Oppenheimer Science and Energy eukaryotic genetics to juniors the hell” out of this. One of our key Leadership Program to provide and seniors. As a plant biologist supported the start-up company assets is our Society. Free exchange potential future leaders with with a passion for sustainable Spero Energy, and engaged more of knowledge at the forefront of sci- an overview of DOE and the production of food, feed, fuel, than 100 early career scientists in entific disciplines, the development National Laboratories system. chemicals, and materials from interdisciplinary research. of interdisciplinary collaborations Maureen was born in lignocellulosic biomass, she has Between 2010 and 2018, across the research community, and, Edinburgh, Scotland, and was a 104 peer-reviewed publications, Maureen also served as direc- most critically, the next generation of first-generation college attendee. 24 of which were published in The tor of Purdue’s Energy Center, the best and brightest minds rooting She obtained her undergradu- Plant Cell and Plant Physiology, representing more than 200 their careers in the plant sciences are ate degree in 1987 in natural and an h-index of 59, with more affiliated faculty with energy- prerequisites that ASPB facilitates. sciences from the University of than 14,600 citations. related research interests. During ASPB is their voice for the impor- Cambridge and a PhD in 1990 Maureen first joined ASPB her tenure, the Energy Center tance of plant biology, the value of in botany from the University of in 2002. She was a monitoring received direct proposal credit the research enterprise, and the im- East Anglia, United Kingdom. She editor for Plant Physiology from from its affiliated faculty for over pact of our science in the world.  was a postdoctoral researcher at 2008 to 2013 and a member of the $500 million of proposals and the John Innes Centre, a govern- ASPB Science Policy Committee $100 million in funded awards.

4 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 Clint Chapple Elected to Board of Directors

lint Chapple is a distin­ known for its work on modifying Clint has been a member of guished professor in lignin monomer composition to ASPB since he was a graduate Cthe Department of Bio­ improve the potential utility of student and looks forward to the chemistry at Purdue University, biomass for the production of opportunity to continue to give where he was department head biofuel. Its work is now moving back to the Society. He appreci- from 2008 to 2015. He is cur- into the exploration of the role ates the educational opportunities rently director of the Purdue that the Mediator complex plays the annual Plant Biology meet- Center for Plant Biology. He in the regulation of phenylpro- ing has provided to his students received his BSc and MSc in panoid metabolism. and wants to see a continued botany and his PhD in chemistry Clint has been acknowledged commitment of the Society to from the University of Guelph with a number of awards from graduate and undergraduate in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and Purdue University, including the mentoring and career develop- did his postdoctoral research at Herbert Newby McCoy Award ment. He also sees the publica- Michigan State University in the Clint Chapple and University Faculty Scholar, tion of the Society’s journals as DOE Plant Research Lab. and he was recently inducted into a major way in which all plant Clint has had a long-standing pathway in Arabidopsis. His lab Purdue University’s Book of Great science community members can interest in plant secondary metab- has also pursued questions on Teachers. In 2002, he was named contribute to the field, and he is olism, particularly glucosinolates the evolution of lignin synthesis a fellow of AAAS. He has served enthusiastic about the opportu- and phenylpropanoids. His inde- in Selaginella and the evolution on the editorial boards of The nity he has had to serve ASPB pendent work has capitalized on of secondary metabolic pathways Plant Journal and Plant Physiology through editorial service for those biochemical genetic approaches through enzyme neofunctional- and currently serves as a review- journals.  to explore the phenylpropanoid ization. His lab is probably best ing editor for The Plant Cell.

The Plant Cell Is 30!

Place your order for the Plant Biology 2019 meeting T-shirt (https://my.aspb.org/store). This year the meeting celebrates 30 years of The Plant Cell, which blossomed in January 1989. The design was created by Nan Eckardt, senior features editor of The Plant Cell. It features nine outstanding images from the thousands of beautiful photos published in the journal over the years. The T-shirt also commemorates Plant Biology 2019 with the meeting logo featured on the sleeve. Men’s and women’s styles are available. #ThePlantCellebration30

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 5 President’s Letter

PRESIDENT’S LETTER full range of biological complex- broadly knowledgeable group of time, we must teach each other how continued from page 1 ity and to apply this knowledge people could have spent its discus- to evaluate our audience’s needs yeast, Drosophila, mouse, and to hard questions. Sometimes the sion time more effectively. Intervals and communicate our science to Arabidopsis thaliana. road to breadth starts with simple that should have been spent devel- those not familiar with the intricate Arriving at Boyce Thompson behavioral changes. My home insti- oping a broad and deep consensus details of our favorite developmen- Institute at Cornell University in tution of 15 years—Michigan State vision for research, career develop- tal cascade, signal transduction 1989 as one of the first “Arabidopsis University (MSU)—has a world- ment, and funding advocacy were pathway, or metabolic network. We people” in Ithaca, I encountered renowned community of highly devoted to defending turf and justi- can create institutional structures colleagues openly skeptical of the collaborative plant biologists and fying specific worldviews. Although that are interdisciplinary and next- focus on one species. What about plant scientists. However, we are the “forming, storming, and gen training oriented and help our the hundreds of millions of years missing opportunities to learn from norming” process that this group universities, colleges, institutes, of evolutionary innovations that each other because not many of went through is perfectly normal and companies move away from you couldn’t study in only one the molecular and cellular biology (as described by Bruce Tuckman disciplinary silos and toward orga- species or genus? Many in my practitioners and eco-evo scientists in 1965), such communities best nizations configured for solving the cohort and future generations, regularly attend each other’s semi- use their time on Tuckman’s fourth problems of the future. however, resisted the siren call of nar series. This is a shame, given the step: “performing.” The Plant Biology 2019 (https:// biological diversity in favor of the rich opportunities for finding new Broadly trained scientists who plantbiology.aspb.org/) and Plant amazing things that you could do phenotypes and interactions for are accustomed to working with Synthetic Biology 2019 (https:// with model or reference species, “us” to probe molecularly, and the people from diverse groups will plantsyntheticbiology.org/) meet- thanks to genetic resources, a large emerging information on molecu- naturally push our community ings in San Jose, California, in community of like-minded and lar networks for “them” to study toward cross-cutting science that August will provide varied oppor- generous colleagues, and annual using their lens of adaptation and solves problems. They are less likely tunities to experience cross-disci- meetings. This devotion to model evolution. Together we are a much to view disciplines as boundaries, plinary research and think about organisms propelled science, bring- stronger scientific community, and moving away from storming and how to effect organizational and ing us to where we are now, with to achieve that strength we have to norming into performing when cultural change. The major sympo- thousands of sequenced genomes learn about—and appreciate—each placed into a new group of problem sia exemplify this spirit. For exam- and transcriptomes, along with other’s science. Avoiding learn- solvers. Broadly trained people ple, the President’s Symposium deep insights into plant develop- ing about the big questions and are faster at seeing patterns in data features topics related to developing ment, signaling, and metabolism. It approaches of other disciplines also and developing multidisciplinary the workforce through mentor- also benefits researchers working in gives our students and postdocs the approaches to hard problems: ing and early research experiences agriculture, ecology, and evolution- idea that avoiding breadth is good perhaps this is because more of and dissecting complex physiology ary biology. training practice, and it most assur- the collaborative concept space is through transdisciplinary research. But trying to understand the edly is not. located in their own brains. Groups The Future of Food and Agriculture complexity and commercial poten- This need for more diverse of people who have experienced symposium will cover artificial tial of all plants by studying a single training is a broad phenomenon, diverse cultures more effectively meat and development of sustain- species is like setting out to under- and certainly not confined to the communicate with those from able breeding and food produc- stand the rules of human relations MSU campus. As a participant in other disciplines because they tion. Drop by the ASPB Pavilion by observing your family, or draw- the ASPB-affiliated Plant Sciences have spent their professional and for conversation circles on topics ing conclusions about the world’s Research Network 2019 Plant personal lives developing strate- including putting together a train- cultures while living in one small Summit this winter, I had the gies for understanding, and being ing program, developing strategies town. These are fine—and perhaps pleasure of interacting with a wide understood by, others. to effect change, getting involved in even necessary—ways to start, but range of scientists, educators, and As educators and learners, we science policy, and commercializ- there is so much more that can be policy makers representing agricul- have the opportunity to help other ing your ideas and results. A sugges- done and learned by expanding ture, plant ecology, and evolution- scientists achieve broad training tion: attend a conversation circle your study systems. ary and molecular biology. Our across the boundaries of disci- or workshop that is outside your Despite remarkable conceptual goal was to develop a vision for plinary culture. We can nurture current interests. Last, but not least, and technical advances of the past the next decade of Plant Sciences collaboration and mentor students register and attend Plant SynBio 30 years, the plant biology commu- writ broadly, with an emphasis on and colleagues by learning what 2019, which starts with the final nity that many ASPB members big and cross-cutting questions motivates them and meeting them major symposium of Plant Biology align with does not take advantage and approaches to benefit society. where they are, rather than where 2019 and continues through Friday, of opportunities to understand the We made good progress, but this our training took us. At the same August 9. See you in SJ! 

6 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 JUDY CALLIS ratory has studied the cis-acting the Corresponding Membership our community. I would like to continued from page 1 signals on the Aux/IAA proteins, Award Committee (2003–2007), continue previous presidents’ initia- After several years as a research short-lived repressors of auxin as a member of the Program tives to identify services to broaden technician at the University of signaling, and defined the residues Committee (2006–2010), as a our membership base and to reach Wisconsin–Madison, she received required for their rapid and auxin- member of The Plant Cell edito- and support plant biologists in an MS in botany in 1981 from regulated degradation. She has rial board (2009–2015; continuing diverse career paths. Identifying the University of Illinois, where studied various components of the as guest editor), and currently as activities and services will require she worked with Tuan-hua David ubiquitin system, such as E3 ligases a member of the Science Policy your input and action; let us know Ho on α-amylase isozymes. From and the ubiquitin-like protein RUB. Committee (2016–2020). Other what we can do for you! In turn, there, Judy moved to Stanford More recently she has expanded professional activities include participation in ASPB activities will University, where she received a her interests into the study of the service on grant review panels for enrich both you and the Society. We PhD in biology in 1987. During fructokinase family in plants. NIH, NSF, USDA, and DOE; as an have excellent professionals at our that time, she became interested Judy has taught metabolism to ad hoc reviewer for several jour- headquarters who also bring ideas in posttranscription regulation of more than 200 students a year for nals; and as one of the reviewing to the table and assist with member- gene expression. Following that over 15 years and has cotaught a editors for the Journal of Biological derived initiatives. theme she worked on aspects of course in plant biochemistry (that Chemistry. Judy was elected a In the coming year, with an effort ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis is not quite as big a class). She fellow of AAAS in 2002 and an led by Phil Taylor, we hope to coor- with Rick Vierstra at UW–Madison also enjoys leading a discussion of ASPB fellow in 2012. For 2005– dinate and strengthen our current from 1987 to 1989. At the end of research literature for undergradu- 2010, she served as the Ruth R. and mentoring and training activi- 1989 (on Halloween, to be precise), ates and supervising both gradu- Paul K. Stumpf Endowed Chair in ties such that we reach as many she joined the faculty at UC Davis, ate and undergraduate students Plant Biochemistry. members (of all ages!) as possible initially in the Department of in research. Earlier this year, she Judy shared the following: and provide the most effective Biochemistry and Biophysics. Judy was awarded the UC Davis Prize What I have heard to date is that career-building skills for use at the is now a full professor and serves as for Undergraduate Teaching and ASPB members value the commu- laboratory bench and, significantly, vice chair for academic personnel Scholarly Achievement. nity organized around ASPB- off the bench as well. ASPB is your in the Department of Molecular Judy has been an ASPB sponsored activities, whether these community, and let us make it the and Cellular Biology. member since 1979 and has served activities be meetings, webinars, best it can be with effective and rele- Judy’s main research interests as a member of the Publications educational materials, publications, vant activities. Let us all sustain and are in the area of regulated prote- Committee (1994–1999; chair, or the newsletter. All these support promote ASPB by our participation olysis, with a focus on the ubiquitin 1998), as a member of the ad hoc our core missions of career train- and contributions, especially to pathway. Combining genetics, Web Site Committee (1996–1997), ing, educating, and communicating welcome and mentor future genera-  biochemistry, and molecular biol- as monitoring editor for Plant our science, and sound science in tions of scientists. ogy, her laboratory is working to Physiology (2000–2006), as a general, both within our commu- understand the specificity of modi- member of the review panel for nity and to wider communities and fication of proteins by ubiquitin and the Summer Undergraduate policy makers. I look forward to the physiological consequences of Research Fellowship awards in hearing more about your needs and this change. In addition, her labo- 2001 and 2003, as a member of concerns so that we may strengthen

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 7 WHAT IF PLANT SCIENTISTS mentees are saying (https:// continued from page 3 hbr.org/2016/07/what-great- and new diversity, inclusion, and listeners-actually-do). Resources for Strengthening equity practices. 5. Assess and reassess your- A few thoughts on best practices self and your organizations Diversity and Inclusion in STEM you can start implementing today: and institutions. Look for 1. If you have any power or privi- consistent overrepresenta- Education Programs lege within your organization tion and underrepresentation • http://bit.ly/InsideHigherEd-Views or institution, find ways to use of particular groups. Try to • http://bit.ly/elifesciences it to champion, promote, and figure out what factors in your • http://bit.ly/frontiersin mentor colleagues or train- decision-making processes ees who have less. This could might be reinforcing these • https://bit.ly/2CRtBq3 mean speaking up in a meet- biases. We encourage you to • http://bit.ly/mentoringinclusion ing, suggesting someone else use DiversifyPlantSci or simi- • http://bit.ly/minoritysuccess when you are invited to speak, lar efforts to bring new names or publicly refusing to attend into the conversation. • http://bit.ly/T-training meetings that do not have a We end with Voltaire’s great • http://bit.ly/Success-URMs diverse speaker list. insight into human nature and 2. Find and express gratitude risk avoidance: “The best is the Individual Efforts when someone points out a enemy of the good.” We do not • Needhi Bhalla’s Twitter feed: @NeedhiBhalla way you could do better. No need any more studies to demon- • Meghan Duffy and the Dynamic Ecology blog: one enjoys hearing criticism. strate that there is a problem http://bit.ly/DynamicEcology Push back against your own around diversity and inclusion in defensive reflexes. Do not yell, STEM (though we do need stud- • Terry McGlynn and Small Pond Science: and do not cry. If we want ies that measure the impact of http://bit.ly/SmallPondScience honest feedback, we have to specific interventions). Rather, we • BethAnn McLaughlin and #MeTooSTEM: treat the messengers in a way must start changing our culture https://metoostem.com that will encourage them to right now, imperfect as we are, continue the conversation. and with the knowledge that we Experiences and Best Practices will make mistakes. If we never 3. If you are a member of a majori- began an experiment until we • http://bit.ly/RobinDiangelo tarian group in STEM, educate had a perfect understanding of • http://bit.ly/IjeomaOluoWriting yourself on the experiences of every protocol and knowledge minoritized groups and best • http://bit.ly/NonhandicappingLanguage of all relevant literature, our practices you should be work- • http://bit.ly/Protocol-sexual-harassment science would grind to a halt! ing on implementing. Ask The same humility, passion, and • http://bit.ly/Privilege-and-PhD other majoritarian members to drive that we bring to address- • https://native-land.ca/ help connect you to resources; ing scientific challenges can be minoritized community • http://bit.ly/LGBT-Topics brought to making the plant members should not bear the sciences community the best it burden of enlightening you. can be—and that includes open- Google before asking (see also ing the doors as wide as possible the Resources sidebar). to anyone with great questions, 4. Use mindful listening prac- creative ideas, and the desire to tices to help you actually participate in the discovery and hear what your colleagues or dissemination of knowledge. 

8 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 People

Plant Scientists Elected to the 2019 Class of the National Academy of Sciences BY TYRONE SPADY ASPB Legislative and Public Affairs Director

everal plant scientists have been elected as members Sor foreign associates of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. These plant biologists are among the 100 new members and 25 for- eign associates just elected. There are now 2,347 active NAS mem- bers and 487 foreign associates. The following were elected to this year’s NAS class. Please join us Gloria M. Coruzzi Maria J. Harrison Jane A. Langdale in recognizing their service to the plant science community and the and the Stephen Hales Prize holds an adjunct professorship support, but in particular to Richard important contributions they have Committee (2016–2017). in the School of Integrative Plant Dixon, the director of plant biol- made to the field. “I am deeply honored to Science at Cornell University. ogy at the time, for giving me the Gloria M. Coruzzi become a member of the National Maria’s team uses a combina- freedom and encouragement to Gloria is the Carroll and Milton Academy of Sciences. For me, it tion of techniques ranging from initiate research on the molecular Petrie Professor of Biology in the was especially meaningful to be cell and molecular to genomics basis of AM symbiosis. I am equally Department of Biology and the elected to the Academy this partic- approaches to understand the fortunate to continue my career at Center for Genomics and Systems ular year, when we achieved one symbiotic relationships between the Boyce Thompson Institute, and I Biology at New York University. of the long-term goals of systems plants and fungi. thank former and current presidents Her lab uses systems approaches biology: to predictively model and Maria has been an ASPB Dan Klessig and David Stern and in Arabidopsis to model and ma- perform high throughput valida- member since 1994. In 2015, all the staff, colleagues, and friends nipulate gene networks involved tion of the regulatory networks she was awarded the Dennis there for their support and for creat- in nitrogen use efficiency. Gloria’s that underlie plant nitrogen use Hoagland Award, and she served ing an exciting research environ- team has also developed phyloge- efficiency. Having entered the on the Program Committee from ment that enables discovery.” nomic-based computational plat- field of plant biology at the dawn 2014 to 2018. forms to enable the identification of the gene cloning era, I feel that “It is a tremendous honor to be Jane A. Langdale (Foreign of gene networks involved in key the arc of my scientific career has elected to the National Academy, Associate) agronomic and evolutional traits culminated in developing systems and much of the credit goes to the Jane is a senior research fellow at in plants. biology approaches to uncover Harrison lab members (past and Queen’s College and a professor in Gloria joined ASPB in 1989 genomewide networks relevant to present) and collaborators who the Department of Plant Sciences and is a Legacy Society Founding plant nutrition and agriculture.” have contributed to our research on at the University of Oxford Member. She became an ASPB arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis. (United Kingdom). Research in fellow in 2010 and was awarded Maria J. Harrison I was fortunate to start my research her group is focused on the iden- the Stephen Hales Prize in 2016. Maria is the William H. Crocker career at the Samuel Roberts Noble tification of genetic mechanisms She has served on the Science Research Chair at the Boyce Foundation, and I am grateful to that control the development of Policy Committee (1991–1995) Thompson Institute. She also the foundation and all its staff for continued on page 10

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 9 People

2019 CLASS OF NAS continued from page 9 the Kranz anatomy, specialized structures found in the leaves of some plants that are associated

with C4 photosynthesis. She is currently working within interna- tional consortia to introduce C4

traits into C3 crops. Jane served on the ASPB Innovation Prize for Agricultural Technology Committee from 2014 to 2020. “I am honored to be elected a foreign associate of NAS. It is a Stephen P. Long Pamela C. Ronald Daniel F. Voytas huge endorsement of the research that my group members have Daniel F. Voytas carried out over the past 30 years. Steve joined ASPB in 1999 Pamela C. Ronald Dan is the director of the Center I also hope that, at least in part, it and is a Legacy Society Founding Pam is the director of grass genet- for Genome Engineering and was recognition of my unwavering Member. In 2009, he became an ics at the Joint BioEnergy Institute a professor in the Department commitment to help students and ASPB fellow, and in 2012 he was and a distinguished professor in the of Genetics, Cell Biology, and postdocs in plant sciences to fulfill given the Charles F. Kettering Department of Plant Pathology at Development at the University of their potential in a career path that Award. Steve has served on the University of California, Davis. Minnesota, St. Paul. Dan’s group best suits them, which is often not the Program (2001–2005), The Ronald lab studies genes that works on the development of the expected (academic) path.” Publications (2005–2010), and control disease resistance and stress tools, such as the CRISPR/Cas9 Charles F. Kettering Award tolerance. In addition, she also system, that enable targeted ge- Stephen P. Long (2013–2015) Committees. directs the UC Davis Institute for nome modification of plants us- Steve is the Gutgsell Endowed Food and Agricultural Literacy. “This was a complete, but most ing sequence-specific nucleases. Professor and Ikenberry Pam has been an ASPB welcome, shock. On reflection, Dan became an ASPB member Endowed University Chair for the member since 1991, and she is the though, this must be viewed as in 2005 and currently serves on the Departments of Plant Biology and 2019 recipient of the Leadership recognition of a team of amazing editorial board of The Plant Cell. Crop Sciences at the University in Science Public Service Award. past and present graduate students, of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. She chaired the Science Policy “The news caught me completely He is also a distinguished profes- postdocs, and faculty colleagues. This Committee from 2004 to 2006 off guard! I am very grateful for sor and fellow of the Royal Society would not have been possible but for and served on the committee having had so many great mentors, at Lancaster University (United the University of Illinois, which for from 2002 to 2010. students, and staff over the years. Kingdom). Steve’s research focuses 70 years and counting has held the “I am incredibly honored by This is as much an acknowledgment on increasing crop productivity number one photosynthesis research this recognition and feel very lucky of their work as it is of mine.”  and sustainability through pho- group in the world while simultane- to be part of a wonderful group tosynthesis using both computer ously providing supercomputing, of plant biologists. I am grateful simulation and systems optimiza- genomic, and instrumented farm to the amazing and hardworking tion coupled with bioengineering facilities and expertise in one place, scientists in my lab, past and pres- and genetic selection. A particular allowing translation from mathe- ent, and to my many stellar collab- focus is on adaptation to global matical predictions to demonstration orators who helped make much of atmospheric change. in replicated field crop trials.” this work possible.”

10 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 People

Natasha Raikhel Appointed Honorary Doctor at SLU’s Faculty of Forest Sciences

even honorary doctors the Center for Plant Cell Biology ment. Natasha has made important have been appointed at (CEPCEB) at UCR, which became contributions to the knowledge Sthe Swedish University of part of the Institute for Integrative of molecular processes in the cell Agricultural Sciences (SLU) this Genome Biology (IIGB). Natasha walls of plants and in intracellular year, among them Natasha Raikhel, studied biology in Leningrad and membrane trafficking. She is also a emeritus professor at University received her doctorate in 1975, pioneer in using chemical biology of California, Riverside (UCR). based on her work on ciliates— in plant research, a method widely SLU will award the seven honor- small single-celled organisms used today by both academics and ary doctors at the doctoral award living in water. the agroindustry. ceremony on October 5, 2019. The After emigrating to the United In addition to her many scien- honorary doctors will hold their States in 1979, she switched to tific achievements, Natasha is the broadcast lectures on October 4. plant research, making several only woman to be editor-in-chief Natasha is one of the most outstanding contributions. She of the journal Plant Physiology. highly cited researchers in plant became a full professor at Michigan She not only is an outstanding science. She is emerita professor State University in 1994 and later scientist, but also has actively of plant cell biology at UCR and moved to UCR, where she was promoted women in science.  Natasha Raikhel a member of the U.S. National head of both the CEPCEB and Academy of Sciences. She founded the IIGB until her recent retire-

Upcoming Focus Issues 2020/2021

Parasitic Plants Mutual Integration of Transport and Signaling Publication: November 2020 Publication: February 2021

Dynamic Membranes Digital Agriculture Publication: December 2020 Publication: April 2021

Redox/ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) Sensors: For Plants and from Plants Publication: January 2021 Publication: May 2021

For information on Focus Issue submissions, please contact Julia Bailey-Serres ([email protected]) or Mike Blatt ([email protected]).

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 11 ASPB Legacy Society Update—And a Look Ahead to Our Centennial Campaign

he original concept for endowment by launching the the ASPB Legacy Society, ASPB Centennial Challenge: Founding Members of the ASPB Legacy Twhich was launched in late The ASPB Centennial Challenge

2016, was to use dividend income proposes that, with substantial sup- Society (as of July 2019) earned on donations to support port from the Legacy Society, we Nikolaus Amrhein Pamela Green Mel Oliver professional and student-centered will raise the level of our current programs and activities. These Charles Arntzen Willi Gruissem Neil Olszewski endowment from $12 million to Sally Assmann include education and outreach; Mary Lou Guerinot Don Ort $20 million by the date of the 2024 Julia Bailey-Serres Thomas Guilfoyle* Kathy Osteryoung good works, such as travel grants Centennial Meeting. Dividend in- Bonnie Bartel Gretchen Hagen Robert Paull and summer internships; and come generated from the enhanced Christoph Benning Michael Hahn Ralph Quatrano other types of professional devel- endowment will be dedicated to Sandra Berry-Lowe Candace Haigler Natasha Raikhel opment. The primary goal was good works that nurture the de- Richard Blanton Sarah Hake Doug Randall to nurture future generations of velopment of future generations Wendy Boss Andrew Hanson Alison Roberts plant biologists and thereby en- of plant biologists to ensure the Rebecca Boston Maureen Hanson Eric Roberts sure the health and longevity of health and longevity of ASPB. John Boyer John Harada Stan Roux the Society. You can help us meet this Ray Bressan Jeffrey Harper Danny Schnell A small cohort of current and Winslow Briggs* Eliot Herman William Schopf former Society leaders was initially challenge! The ASPB Centennial Challenge will use a number of Mark Brodl Ann Hirsch Lawrence Schrader invited to become Founding Bob Buchanan Tuan-hua David Ho fundraising strategies, and we Julian Schroeder Members of the Legacy Society Dan Bush Thomas Hodges Tom Sharkey plan to reach out to you for help. by making a contribution of at Judy Callis Mark Jacobs Jane Shen-Miller Our first step was to contact long- least $5,000. Their response was Nicholas Carpita Andre Jagendorf* Louis Sherman standing ASPP/ASPB members terrific! Thanks to their contribu- Vicki Chandler Alan Jones James Siedow of 30 or more years, as well as tions and those of other generous Kent Chapman Russell Jones Wendy Silk corresponding and emeritus ASPB members, we have commit- Alice Cheung Stefan Kirchanski Bijay Singh members, with the invitation ments of more than half a million Ray Chollet Harry Klee Neelima Sinha dollars. These funds have been to become Founding Members Maarten Chrispeels Karen Koch Larry Smart invested and will continue to grow of the Legacy Society through a Mary Clutter Leon Kochian Chris Somerville until ASPB’s centennial meeting in donation of $5,000 or more. To Jerry Cohen Brian Larkins Shauna Somerville 2024, at which time the dividends quote Rob Last in his May/June Marc Cohn Robert Last Edgar Spalding generated will start to be used for 2019 President’s Letter, “If you are Gloria Coruzzi Peggy Lemaux Gary Stacey the Society’s good works. contacted, please respond.” Daniel Cosgrove Sharon Long Christopher Staiger Currently, ASPB’s good works Please contact us if you John Cushman Stephen Long Heven Sze are funded by income generated would like to confirm the name Jeff Dangl William Lucas Lincoln Taiz from our investment portfolio, of eligible candidates or wish Deborah Delmer Harvard Lyman Indra Vasil but this sum of money can fund to have additional information Machi Dilworth Sally Mackenzie Elizabeth Vierling only a fraction of many valu- regarding the ASPB Centennial Richard Dixon Martin Massengale Richard Vierstra able activities. Knowing that Challenge.  Gerald Edwards Don McCarty Alessandro Vitale Bob Fischer Rob McClung Linda Walling the Society will be celebrating Debby Delmer Elizabeth Gantt Sabeeha Merchant Susan Wessler its 100th anniversary in 2024 [email protected] and encouraged by the generous Gary Gardner Jonathan Monroe Eli Wurtzel response of the Legacy Society Brian Larkins Robert Giaquinta Gloria Muday MariaElena Zavala Founding Members, we recog- [email protected] Robert Goldberg John Mullet Jian-Kang Zhu nized this occasion as an oppor- Ralph Quatrano Sarah Grant John Ohlrogge *Deceased tunity to further increase ASPB’s [email protected]

12 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 Section News

Plant Biology in the Mid-Atlantic Region BY MARK HOLLAND, President of the Mid-Atlantic Section ([email protected]) and SHUNYUAN XIAO, Chair, Organizing Committee ([email protected])

SPB’s Mid-Atlantic This meeting featured 15 invit- postdoc Ying Wu (University (Duke University) titled “Live Section held a two-day ed talks, 12 oral presentations by of Maryland). Each awardee and Let Die.” Trainees appreci- Aspring meeting jointly students and postdocs, and more received a cash award. ated the career development with the annual University than 40 posters. Importantly, The highlights of the meeting panel discussion organized by of Maryland Plant Biology students and postdoctoral fellows included a lecture on networks graduate student Lovepreet Singh. Symposium on May 30–31, 2019. also got a chance to interact by ASPB president Rob Last Panelists included Kim Gallagher The sparkling new Learning with outstanding scientists and (Michigan State University) and and Teaching Center on the learn more about different plant a keynote talk by Xinnian Dong continued on page 16 University of Maryland College biology research avenues. The Park (UMCP) campus provided best student talks were selected an attractive venue for oral and by a panel of three judges for poster presentations, socializing, the Marsho Award, which is lunch, and discussions. The meet- presented annually to honor ing generated a lot of excitement the late plant biologist Thomas among first-time attendees. More V. Marsho of the University of than 110 participants attended, Maryland, Baltimore County. including undergraduate and Awardees for the best oral graduate students, postdocs and presentations were graduate research associates, and faculty student Tim Chaya (University of and research scientists from Delaware) and postdoc Yun-Ting academia, USDA, and indus- Kao (University of Maryland). try. They came from across the Best poster awards went to Participants at the Spring 2019 Mid-Atlantic Section meeting at the mid-Atlantic region, including undergraduate student Adam University of Maryland (left to right): Shunyuan Xiao (chair, Organizing Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Schoen (University of Maryland), Committee), Lovepreet Singh (organizer, career development discussion), Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and graduate student Alex Mahlandt Xinnian Dong (keynote speaker), Quedeng Qui (Syngenta), and Yiping Washington, DC. (University of Maryland), and Qi (member, Organizing Committee). PHOTO BY HEVEN SZE

Award recipients (left to right): Ying Wu (best poster by a postdoc), Organizers Shunyuan Xiao (left) and Mark Holland, Mid-Atlantic Yun-Ting Kao (best oral presentation by a postdoc), Adam Schoen (best Section president (right). PHOTO BY S. MOUNT poster by an undergraduate student), and Alex Mahlandt (best poster by a graduate student). Not shown: Tim Chaya (best oral presentation by a graduate student). PHOTO BY S. MOUNT

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 13 Section News

ASPB’s Southern Section Holds a Successful Annual Meeting at Clemson

he 2019 annual meeting of the speakers emphasized the need Check out the Southern ASPB’s Southern Section for multidisciplinary training and Section’s June newsletter at http:// Twas held March 16–18 the ability to integrate diverse bit.ly/ss-aspb-news for more at the home of the Clemson approaches in their research. details.  Tigers, Clemson University in South Carolina. The meeting was organized by Magaly Rincón- Zachary (secretary/treasurer) and Julia Frugoli (local organizer), and Shahid Mukhtar and Aruna Kilaru served as chair and vice chair, respectively. Presentations and exhibitions took place in the Watt Family Innovation Center, a beautiful state-of-the-art venue. A total of 103 attendees from 11 higher education institutions and three research centers, in- cluding USDA, were engaged in 2019 presentation winners (left to right): Front row, Julia Frugoli (local organizer), Frances Lowder (second disseminating the most recent place—poster, Western Carolina University), Neha Mittal (first place—oral, University of North Carolina at plant science advancements Charlotte), Amanda Askins (honorable mention—oral, University of South Carolina Aiken), Joseph Goode (first and discoveries in a total of 71 place—poster, Florida Institute of Technology), Aruna Kilaru (vice chair, Southern Section). Back row, Shahid featured poster and oral presen- Mukhtar (chair, Southern Section), Sean James (second place—oral, University of North Carolina at Chapel tations. Winners of the Marc Hill), Amanda Storm (mentor, Western Carolina University), Nathan Hancock (mentor, University of South Cohn Graduate Student Oral Carolina Aiken), Andrew Palmer (mentor, Florida Institute of Technology), Timothy Howton (third place—oral, Presentation and Aubrey Naylor University of Alabama at Birmingham). Not shown: Minye Seok (third place—poster, University of Alabama at Undergraduate Student Poster Birmingham). Competitions were recognized at the annual banquet. The featured speakers for the 2019 Kriton Hatzios Symposium “Foundational to Translational: The Impact of Plant Science Research” were Harry Klee (University of Florida), Toni Kutchan (Donald Danforth Plant Science Center), Henry Daniell (University of Pennsylvania), and Tony Kinney (Corteva Agriscience). The speakers shared their academic journeys while illustrating how their basic research was driven by the needs 2019 Kriton Hatzios Symposium speakers (left to right): Harry Klee, Tony Kinney, Toni Kutchan, and Henry of society. To budding scientists, Daniell, with their host, Aruna Kilaru (center). PHOTO BY ASHLEE MCCASKILL, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA

14 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 Membership Corner

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

Beverly Agtuca

Title: Doctoral researcher, ASPB intern coordinator Place of Work or School: Legume–Microbe Interactions Laboratory, University of Missouri Member Since: 2017 Research Area: Interactions of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in legumes and nonlegumes

What would you tell colleagues room. Because of my dedication Program at the exhibit hall. I was education. As a Conviron Scholar, to encourage them to join and perseverance in research, eager to discuss this program with I was paired with a mentor, Dr. ASPB? my PI encouraged me to pres- ASPB staff, who encouraged me to Aaron Wyman from Spring ASPB is a diverse plant science ent my work and results to the apply. While participating in this Arbor University in Spring community, where all members whole plant biology commu- program, I had the opportunity Arbor, Michigan. We met once share the goal of communicating nity. The Collegiate Science to make new friends, meet with per month by videoconference with one another to promote the and Technology Entry Program wonderful scientists, find a mentor and discussed a variety of topics, growth of plant biology and solve (CSTEP) also provided encour- who guided me in developing including how to write a CV, worldwide problems in agricul- agement and funding for me to my future plan, and most of all cover letter, and teaching philoso- ture. Anyone, including those become an ASPB member during participate in outreach and volun- phy; what questions I should who do not have expertise in plant my undergraduate years. CSTEP’s teer programs. ASPB introduced expect in one-to-one and video- science, can join the organiza- purpose is to promote students’ me to volunteering at the ASPB conference interviews; what tasks tion and attend its annual meet- academic success to help them Education & Outreach booth at and opportunities are part of ings to learn the most up-to-date prepare for their future profes- the National Science Teachers being a teaching professor; what research and instrumentation sional career. Association conferences in 2018 differences there are between while networking with scientists. I and 2019. large universities and small am glad I joined ASPB because it Have you enhanced your career, So yes, ASPB has enhanced my colleges; and most of all, how to helped me to be confident in the lab, research, or education using career and professional develop- figure out what I want for my path I wanted to take for my future ASPB, the Plant Biology meet- ment. In addition, the community future career. I received my PhD career and, most of all, to create ings, section meetings, Plantae. at the conferences got a chance to this past spring semester from innovative ideas for research. org, The Plant Cell, Plant hear my perspective and feedback the University of Missouri, and Physiology, or Plant Direct? on what ASPB has done for me since then I have continued to benefit from the mentor–mentee Was someone instrumental in Yes, of course! I went to Plant so they could share it with their relationship, which has given me getting you to join ASPB? Biology 2017 in Hawaii as a third- students and peers. huge confidence in applying for Yes, my research PI, Dr. Gary year PhD student and attended teaching assistant professor posi- Stacey, in graduate school at the workshops and concurrent sympo- In what ways has being an ASPB tions. As a result, I was recently University of Missouri encour- sia. I was able to gather ideas for member been of value or impor- offered, and accepted, a position aged me to join ASPB to gain prospective research projects from tance in your career or education? at Adams State University at professional development and talking with other scientists in my Being an ASPB member has Alamosa, Colorado, as a visiting opportunities to learn new field of study. In addition, I learned helped prepare me for my information outside the class- about the Conviron Scholars prospective future career and continued on page 16

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 15 MEMBERSHIP CORNER ture practices for developing coun- continued from page 15 tries, especially the Philippines. assistant professor and will be starting this coming August 2019. What is your favorite thing about being a plant biologist? How or why did you get into I can garden and grow any plant I plant science? want for my house because of my I am a Filipino-American who plant biology knowledge! was born in Queens and raised in Long Island, New York. What are your hobbies? When I was 8 years old, I visited My hobbies are gardening and my parents’ hometown in the growing plants. I also love setting Philippines. I saw how my parents up plant–microbe demonstrations had grown up in this developing for families and children at farm- country, where they had to grow ers markets, elementary school and harvest a lot of plants for their events, state fairs, and park events everyday meals. When I visited with the University of Missouri’s there, I had to do these tasks as well Students for the Advancement of In June, University of Missouri’s Students for the Advancement of Plant with my siblings and other chil- Plant Pathology graduate student Pathology (SAPP) graduate student association volunteered at Columbia’s dren, and I thought to myself that association. The children enjoy ‘Art in the Park Festival.’ The students set-up a plant-microbe interactions these were difficult responsibilities learning about and looking at booth and demonstrated to families and children, soybean plants that at such a young age. Since then, plants that are infected by nitro- were infected by cyst nematodes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (nodules). I have wanted to become a plant gen-fixing bacteria, nematodes, Pictured are some of our SAPP students (left to right): Nhung Hoang, Ha scientist so I could improve agricul- viruses, and fungi.  Duong, Beverly Agtuca, Morgan Bruhn, Vinavi Lakshman. Not pictured: SAPP advisor Dr. Melissa Mitchum.

MID-ATLANTIC MEETING Research and UMCP); president Education Fund; KWS USA; for Bioscience & Biotechnology continued from page 13 and treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic KeyGene; GenScript; Frontiers Research, UMCP; Department (University of Pennsylvania), Section Mark Holland (Salisbury in Plant Science; Division of of Biological Sciences, Salisbury Derek Bartlem (KWS USA), University); and Wendy Peer Academic Affairs, Provost University; Fisher Scientific; Quedeng Qui (Syngenta), and (University of Maryland), with Office, UMCP; Department Integrated DNA Technologies; Walter Nelson (KeyGene USA). additional support from other of Cell Biology & Molecular LifeSct.com; and Longwood The meeting was organized by committee members. Genetics, UMCP; Department Gardens.  Shunyuan Xiao (Institute for The meeting was gener- of Plant Science & Landscape Bioscience and Biotechnology ously supported by ASPB; SZE Architecture, UMCP; Institute

16 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 Science Policy

The information in this article was Policy Update accurate at the time of writing. BY MICHAEL BUSE Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

Joanne Tornow Addresses completed site visits to all three bill out of subcommittee. The Program. This language was BIO Advisory Council finalists. At the time of this writ- only bill left for consideration also included in the FY2019 CJS On May 21, the director of the ing, USDA was expected to an- was the Homeland Security bill, report. Additionally, the House Biological Sciences Directorate nounce a final decision in several with its markup scheduled for Agriculture bill also includes a (BIO), Joanne Tornow, attended weeks, with the projected reloca- June 5. Funding levels for agen- provision that would encour- her first meeting of the BIO advi- tion in August or September. The cies relevant to ASPB include the age USDA to support research sory council since transitioning House Agriculture Biotechnology, following: that “leverages plant genomic Horticulture, and Research sub- information with phenotypic from her role as acting assistant • NSF would be funded at $8.64 committee had scheduled a hear- and environmental data through director to permanent direc- billion, $561 million or 6.9% ing on the relocation for June 5. an interdisciplinary framework, tor. She used the opportunity to above the FY2019 enacted level. The agency’s plans may be resulting in an understanding of roll out her new vision for BIO, • NIH would be funded at $41.1 complicated by the recent decision plant processes that affect produc- entitled “Life Innovates, Biology billion, $2 billion or 5.1% above of ERS scientists and staff to union- tivity and the ability to predict Integrates.” Tornow hopes to in- the FY2019 enacted level. ize, potentially delaying the reloca- plant performance.” crease interdisciplinary research • DOE would be funded at tion because employees would have As of this writing, the Senate at all scales of the directorate and $37.1 billion, $1.4 billion legal standing to pursue collective had not yet started consideration across all programs. Some top- bargaining with the agency. NIFA or 3.9% above the FY2019 of any appropriations bills and ics of interest include genomics, employees had scheduled a vote on enacted level. Basic Energy was waiting for a formal budget quantum biology, and ecological unionizing for June 9. Sciences would be funded at agreement to be approved by forecasting. It remains to be seen $2.14 million, a 1.1% decrease Congress and the president before how this vision will be imple- Sources and Additional from FY2019, and Biological moving forward. mented; NSF has yet to publish Information and Environmental Research Sources and Additional Information any material on this subject. • The USDA press release an- would receive $730 million, a During the meeting, Tornow nouncing the short list can be $25 million or 3.5% increase • The FY2020 House Agriculture also expressed her desire to found at https://tinyurl.com/ above FY2019. Appropriations Bill Committee continue the current policy of yxdeu826. • In USDA, ARS would be report is available at https:// no limits and no deadlines for • More information on the ERS funded at $1.39 billion, a tinyurl.com/y6qzu95b. proposal submissions. vote to unionize can be found at $290 million or 17.2% de- • Lewis-Burke’s complete https://tinyurl.com/y38tsfuo. analysis of the FY2020 House USDA Proceeds with NIFA crease from FY2019; this • More information on the Agriculture Appropriations bill and ERS Relocation decrease comes in part from Agriculture Committee hear- the FY2019 bill’s inclusion can found at https://tinyurl. At the beginning of May, USDA ing can be found at https:// of funds for setting up the com/y69ftqos. released the final short list of tinyurl.com/y64hksff. National Bio and Agro- • The FY2020 House Energy prospective new locations for and Water Development House Moving Quickly on Defense Facility. NIFA would the National Institute of Food Appropriations Bill be funded at $1.59 billion, and Agriculture (NIFA) and Appropriations Despite Lack Committee report is avail- including $445 million for Economic Research Service of Budget Deal able at https://tinyurl.com/ the Agriculture and Food (ERS). Proposed locations have The House Appropriations y48mhdqf. Research Initiative, a $30 mil- been narrowed to Indiana, Kansas Committee is on track to advance • Lewis-Burke’s complete lion increase over FY2019. City, and the North Carolina all 12 fiscal year (FY) 2020 ap- analysis of the FY2020 Research Triangle, with each propriations bills before the end The House Commerce, Justice, House Energy and Water proposal including several pos- of June. As of June 4, the House and Science (CJS) subcommit- Development bill can found sible sites. Although USDA has Appropriations Committee had tee included language submitted at The FY2020 House Labor, remained opaque about the move, advanced 10 bills, mainly along by ASPB expressing support intel suggests that the agency has party lines, as well as one more for the Plant Genome Research continued on page 18

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 17 Science Policy

POLICY UPDATE available at https://tinyurl. appointed to deputy undersecre- appointees to lead the Office of continued from page 17 com/y3axdqwl. tary positions. Science, Office of Nuclear Energy, Hutchins’s nomination has and Advanced Research Projects Health and Human Services, Senate Agriculture Commit- received substantial commu- Agency–Energy. Sen. Catherine and Education Bill Committee tee Advances Scott Hutchins nity support. Senate Agriculture Cortez Masto (D-NV) had placed report is available at https:// Nomination Committee Chairman Pat Roberts a hold on the nominations after tinyurl.com/y4qoswm9. On May 14, the Senate Agriculture (R-KS) urged his colleagues to DOE transported plutonium to her • Lewis-Burke’s complete analysis Committee approved the nomina- confirm Hutchins as quickly as state in response to a court order of the FY2020 House Labor, tion of Scott Hutchins to be the Health and Human Services, possible. that the department remove it from Undersecretary of Agriculture the Savannah River Site in South and Education bill can found at for Research, Education, and Source and Additional Information https://tinyurl.com/y2rwhsvw. Carolina. She agreed to stand down Economics. Hutchins, who has • The press release announc- after DOE stated it would remove • The FY2020 House Commerce, been serving in the deputy under- ing the committee’s approval Justice, and Science Bill the plutonium from Nevada begin- secretary role since January, will of Hutchins’s nomination can ning in 2021. With the hold re- Committee report is available at now await confirmation by the found at https://tinyurl.com/ moved, the nominees could receive https://tinyurl.com/y5zgyu8r. full Senate. Hutchins, a former y5k6ogt5. an expedited vote, although it re- • Lewis-Burke’s complete president of the Entomological mained unclear whether the Senate analysis of the FY 2020 House Society of America, was origi- Path Cleared for Confirma- planned to do so soon. Commerce, Justice, and Science nally nominated during the last tion of Remaining DOE bill can found at https://tinyurl. Congress but failed to receive Nominees Source and Additional Information com/y4mh4lv6. a full vote by the Senate. To A procedural hurdle slowing the • More information on DOE’s • The House Appropriations circumvent the backlog of nomi- progress of DOE nominees was decision to remove plutonium committee website with re- nations awaiting a vote in the removed at the end of April, allow- from Nevada can be found at maining markup schedule is Senate, the USDA nominees were ing the Senate to quickly confirm https://tinyurl.com/y5l4ho5t. 

Fond Farewell to Tyrone Spady, ASPB Legislative and Public Affairs Director

he ASPB staff offer our engagement with the Supporters ary biology from the University appreciation and best of Agricultural Research, the of New Hampshire, conducted Twishes to Tyrone Spady, National Coalition for Food postdoctoral research at PhD, who is leaving his position and Agricultural Research, the NIH, and worked as a science as Legislative and Public Affairs Plant Science Research Network, policy analyst and lobbyist at director for a new opportunity at and other groups. Throughout the Federation of American the NIH Office of Science Policy. his tenure with ASPB, Tyrone Societies for Experimental Tyrone joined ASPB in 2013 brought valuable science policy Biology. to oversee the legislative and experience and perspectives Learn more about ASPB educational program portfolios. to the staff senior leadership science policy in the Between During this time, he expanded team, ASPB governance, and the the Palms interview with Tyrone Spady at Plant Summit ASPB’s goal to increase federal Society. Tyrone at Plant Biology 2017: 2019 at Biosphere 2 in Arizona, support and public awareness Before joining ASPB, Tyrone http://bit.ly/2NKynNH.  February 2019. of plant science through active earned his PhD in evolution-

18 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 Education Forum

Plant BLOOME 2019 Winners Announced

SPB established the Plant Biology Learning AObjectives, Outreach Materials, & Education (Plant BLOOME) grant program with the goal to enhance public aware- ness and understanding of the essential roles of plants in all areas of life (https://bloome.aspb.org). Congratulations to the 2019 ASPB Plant BLOOME grant recipients!

Bringing Plants to Life Through Theater Arts

PI: Carol Goodwillie Carol Goodwillie Left to right: Alex Borowsky, Meg Kargul, Kinnari Atit, and East Carolina University Loralee Larios The most satisfying part of my career so far has been to watch students get turned on to plants. scientific content of the play. Alleviating the Outreach science lab activities, (2) increase In a new collaboration with Knowledge of plants gained Drought with Scientists in middle school students’ self- Patricia “Patch” Clark, a profes- by theater education students the Classroom efficacy and identity in STEM, and will serve them in future K–12 (3) increase interactions between sor of theater education, we hope PI: Loralee Larios careers. In working together, we plant scientists and students. We to make that process happen for University of California, Riverside undergraduates, children, and anticipate that both groups of aim to achieve these goals by citizens in our community by students will gain new perspec- The formidable years of middle developing a sustained partnership bringing theater to plant biology tives and ways of thinking and school are often defined by the among teams of undergraduate education. At the centerpiece of communicating. social challenges students face, and graduate students and post- the project, undergraduate stu- We propose that theater can but a less-known fact is that docs, a teacher, and middle school dents in a plant biology course be an effective way to convey these years are also critical to the students over the course of the will work with theater education some of the more complex topics STEM trajectory of a student. A school year. As part of this part- students to develop a play for in plant biology. Even abstract key element to encourage scien- nership, our teams will visit a class children about trees, their biol- concepts such as carbon cycling tific literacy at this pivotal age is on average once a month through- ogy, and the important ecosystem and water potential might be promoting educational experi- out the school year and present services they provide. To reach conveyed through drama and ences that enhance students’ a series of exercises that help the a diverse audience, our play will movement. In addition to devel- self-efficacy—that is, their self- students explore plant biology be performed in local public oping theater for children, we will confidence in their ability to suc- within the context of the pressing schools, at a community center, use students in the playwriting cessfully conduct STEM activities. challenge of drought facing south- and at a science education center. class as an incubator to develop Complementary to these efforts ern California. As plant scientists, we How many children have played a improvisational drama exercises is the need to bridge the gap be- earnestly try to understand the silent tree as an extra in a school that can be integrated into under- tween people who do science as a impacts of drought from the play? Now the trees will play the graduate courses in plant biology living and students who are learn- cellular level to the ecosystem starring role. to teach difficult concepts. We’re ing science. level to provide more insights into Undergraduate biology looking forward to all that we’ll Therefore, our outreach how drought stress can impact a students will solidify their under- learn in this collaboration and program has three main goals: (1) range of services, from crops to standing of plant biology as they greatly appreciate the support of improve science literacy and plant teach theater students about the the Plant BLOOME program! science awareness with plant continued on page 20

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 19 Education Forum

PLANT BLOOME WINNERS Increasing Minority with expertise in one of the major continued from page 19 Student Recruitment to areas of agriculture, food, and biodiversity, in both urban and Plant Sciences by Enhanc- plant sciences. natural settings. As citizens, we ing High School Curricu- After six days, the faculty and are asked to conserve water and lum Through a Teacher teachers will sit down together be “water wise,” but too often the Training Workshop and revise the current curriculum to include a hands-on activity. science motivating water-wise PI: Rupesh Kariyat decisions is omitted from these The eight teachers will receive University of Texas Rio Grande a certificate of completion and discussions. Drought, therefore, Valley provides a unique backdrop distance learning credits appli- to our classroom activities to Recent statistics show that there is cable toward their annual review promote student scientific literacy a huge demand for a skilled work- and promotion at PSJA ISD. The within plant biology. Students will force in the plant and agricultural long-term impact of the project be directed to explore how plants sciences. Most studies and opin- will be evaluated on the basis of cope with stress from the cellular ions have focused on recruitment student interest in agriculture to the ecosystem level, contextu- efforts at the undergraduate, Rupesh Kariyat and STEM-related career fields alizing these experiences within graduate, and postgraduate as measured, for example, using a genuine challenge they face in levels, often ignoring a fast- statistics from PSJA ISD, UTRGV, their day-to-day lives. We are growing majority—high school the Rio Grande Valley are on the and other postsecondary enroll- excited about implementing this students. Steering fresh gradu- United States–Mexico border and ments. In addition, the number plant biology–focused outreach ates into plant, agricultural, and have a very high Hispanic popula- of students taught will be tracked program to improve middle food sciences will be a massive tion. In fact, UTRGV has >90% to gauge how many students are school students’ scientific literacy boost to addressing the current Hispanic student enrollment. introduced to topics related to in plant sciences and self-efficacy workforce shortage in these ar- PSJA ISD is a state and nation- plant science and agriculture. in STEM, as well as to help bridge eas. Compounding the issue, the al leader in creating academic The project is unique; this is the gap between people doing teachers responsible for guiding opportunities for all students, and the first-ever attempt by UTRGV science and people learning and educating this young work- the school district offers prekin- and PSJA ISD to coordinate a science. force have received little atten- dergarten through 12th-grade workshop that focuses on teacher tion. And, as we are also aware, curriculum to about 32,000 education in a plant sciences– research and education in these students. The main objective of focused curriculum. The high fields lack students from minority the project is to train PSJA ISD school teachers get an opportuni- and underrepresented groups. teachers to teach plant sciences ty to work and learn from faculty Through the Plant BLOOME and assist them in updating their members who conduct cutting- award, I plan to address these curriculum using active learn- edge research in various aspects concerns by recruiting plant ing methodologies and hands- of plant sciences (insect–plant science teachers (in agriculture on work experience. The basic interactions, plant physiology, and plant biology) from the Pharr– outline of the weeklong work- weed ecology, soil biology, food San Juan–Alamo Independent shop includes classroom-based microbiology, and agroecology), School District (PSJA ISD) in lecture-style teaching during and the workshop will gener- the Rio Grande Valley of South mornings (8:30 a.m. to 12:00 ate critical data on student and Texas to participate in an intense, noon), followed by a hands-on teacher learning outcomes to be boot camp–style workshop at the experiential learning exercise in used for further improvement of University of Texas Rio Grande the lab or field. Each day will be the curriculum.  Valley (UTRGV). UTRGV and led by a UTRGV faculty member

20 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 Education Forum

Announcing the 2019 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF)

The ASPB Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) program funds promising undergraduate students so they can conduct research in plant biology during the early part of their college career over the course of 10 consecutive weeks. This year’s SURF recipi- ents will present their research at Plant Biology 2020. Congratulations to these 2019 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows and their mentors!

SURFers from Doctoral Granting Institutions

Tayah Bolt Ava Heller Jeremiah Lukes Viviana Martínez-Martínez University of California, Davis Ohio University University of Vermont Universidad Politécnica de Pachuca Project: Fungal Toxin Influence Project: Characterization of Project: Is the Retromer Required Project: Studies of the Function of over Transcriptional Regulation of AHA2 at the Interface of Gravitro- for Polarized Cell Growth in miR156 in Plant Embryogenesis the Plant Shikimate Pathway pism and Phototropism Brachypodium distachyon? Using Genome Editing Mentor: Daniel J. Kliebenstein Mentor: Sarah E. Wyatt Mentor: Mary L. Tierney Mentor: Stewart Gillmor I am grateful to ASPB for the I am immensely excited to be The SURF award will give me the It is an honor to receive a 2019 honor of receiving this fellowship a recipient of a 2019 SURF opportunity to hone my scientific SURF award. It’s an amazing and to my lab group members grant (all thanks to the amaz- writing skills and totally immerse opportunity that will allow me who have supported me through ing support of my mentor and myself in my research project. I am to further my interests in plant this process. Receiving the SURF lab mates)! This program will very excited to spend my summer biology. My SURF research will award has opened many doors undoubtedly propel me forward working alongside my mentor contribute to understanding of opportunity for me and will in my research career by allowing to unravel the mystery behind the regulatory mechanisms that allow me to further develop my me to focus wholeheartedly on the loss of VPS26C in monocots. promote seed development. In future career goals in plant biology my own research project, honing Special thanks for the constant the future, I am interested in research. It is exciting to imagine my skills as an upcoming plant support of my mentor and the rest completing a master’s degree in the possible applications for all the biologist as I prepare to write a of the University of Vermont plant plant biotechnology. Doing SURF- work that is currently being done thesis and enter graduate school. biology department. sponsored summer research at in the field of plant biology and the a top institute for plant biology impact it can make on the world brings me closer to my goal. when it comes to agricultural innovation and sustainability. continued on page 22

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 21 Education Forum

2019 SURF WINNERS Benjamin Styler continued from page 21 Brown University Suprene Mohamedzein Project: Understanding Ther- Wake Forest University motolerance in Crop Plants: Investigating Genetic Variation of Project: High-Temperature- the Unfolded Protein Response in Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Vegetative Tissue and Pollen Tubes and Stress Response in Arabidop- sis thaliana Mentor: Mark Johnson Mentor: Gloria Muday I am excited to continue my research with the help of a SURF The SURF award provides me grant. This work will help address with the opportunity to further crop failure because of rising develop my skills as a researcher global surface temperatures while and delve deeper into my research at the same time preparing me to on the modulation of heat- continue on to perform graduate induced reactive oxygen species research. by antioxidants in Arabidopsis shoots. The experiences and knowledge I gain through this Samantha Surber research will be invaluable and University of Nebraska–Lincoln will help me prepare for gradu- Project: Cytosolic Acidification Ef- ate school and a future in plant fect on Freezing Tolerance Through biology. Investigation of Proton Pump Inhibition Bo Price Mentor: Rebecca Roston Utah State University This SURF award will assist me Project: Verifying Signaling in completing a research project Pathways That Induce Apomixis de I have been working on for most Novo in Arabidopsis of my junior year. This experience Mentor: John G. Carman will allow me to better under- stand my research and to prepare The SURF grant will allow me for my search for a graduate to gain experience in molecular school and program. research as I strive to understand the effects our pharmacological treatments have on the induction Ashley Turner of apomeiosis. ASPB is a major University of Florida catalyst to my professional career Project: Effects of High pH Stress through support of my research on Oxidative Status in Rhododen- and introduction to tremendous dron Roots opportunities at the Plant Biology Mentor: Gerardo Nunez meetings! Being awarded a SURF grant is a great honor. This award will allow me to continue working on what I am most passionate about— plants. I am extremely grateful to my mentor, who encourages me to pursue my goals.

22 ASPB NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2019 Education Forum

Paige Wiebe tunity, I will challenge myself as Kansas State University an aspiring researcher, engage Project: Niche Divergence in Big with the greater plant science Bluestem Grass Ecotypes in Re- community, and gain skills neces- sponse to Experimental Drought: sary for pursuing a PhD in plant Mechanisms of Local Adaptation biology. I am grateful to ASPB for this privilege and look forward to Mentor: Loretta Johnson the coming summer as a SURF I am honored to have been select- recipient. ed for a SURF award, and extreme- ly grateful to be able to continue my research over the summer. This Malay Nanavaty experience will greatly enhance my The College of New Jersey skills as a researcher and will help Project: Uncovering the Biochemical prepare me for a successful career Function of CYP72A14 in Plant in research. Stress Metabolism Mentor: Leeann E. Thornton Kwan Yoon Receiving a SURF award provides University of Massachusetts me with the unique opportunity Amherst to continue my research involving Project: Applying CRISPR/Cas9 to the genetic engineering of cyano- Unveil the Role of the Early Nodu- bacteria over the summer. With lins in Nitrogen-Fixing Symbiosis this experience, I will be well Mentor: Dong Wang equipped to propel my profes- sional career in plant research The SURF grant gives me the forward. I am excited to make use opportunity to fully dedicate of all the opportunities provided myself to research this summer. My by this amazing organization. intention is to build on my exist- ing research skills to advance our understanding of nitrogen-fixing Claire Ravenburg symbiosis and further equip myself James Madison University for a future career in research. Project: Investigating a Putative Dual-Function β-amylase Gene SURFers from Primarily Undergraduate in Rice Institutions Mentor: Jonathan Monroe Kristen Edgeworth Receiving a SURF award will enable me to further explore Kenyon College my interests in plant biology Project: Assessing the Functional through summer research at Conservation of ELF3-like and James Madison University. This COP1-like Proteins from Bryo- experience is invaluable and phytes to Angiosperms will enhance my undergraduate Mentor: Karen A. Hicks education while also preparing me for my ultimate goal of earn- Having the honor of conduct- ing a PhD. I am excited to present ing research this summer with my work in 2020!  a SURF award is the first step toward my future career as a plant scientist. Through this oppor-

ASPB NEWS | VOLUME 46, NUMBER 4 23 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ROCKVILLE MD American Society of Plant Biologists AND ADDITIONAL 15501 Monona Drive MAILING OFFICES Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA

NEW!! Do you manage a meeting or event that is open to the plant science community? Add it to the Global Plant Science

Events Calendar! https://plantae.org/events-calendar/

Sponsored by

ASPB staff are dedicated to serving our members. We welcome your questions and feedback. For quick response, email us at [email protected].

ASPB News (ISSN 1535-5489; Online ISSN 1544-9149) is published bimonthly by the American Society of Plant Biologists, 15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA, telephone 301-251-0560, fax 301-279-2996. Members’ dues include a subscription price of $2 per year to ASPB News. Subscription price to nonmembers is $30 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Rockville, MD, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send address changes to ASPB News, 15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 20855-2768 USA.