President’s Letter—Critical Infrastructure

Global agricultural production of rice, wheat, maize, and soybean, crops that together provide over 70% of human calories, was at close to record yields last year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments recognized growers as essential workers and the food supply chain as critical infrastructure. Early concerns about potential food shortages proved unfounded. Our collective fears … Read more

Yunde Zhao Will Succeed Mike Blatt as Editor-in-Chief of Plant Physiology®

ASPB is pleased to announce the appointment of Yunde Zhao as editor-in-chief (EIC) of Plant Physiology® beginning January 1, 2022. First published by ASPB in 1926, Plant Physiology® is a premier international journal devoted to all aspects of plant biology research, from structural and molecular discoveries to systems science and ecophysiology. Yunde’s appointment follows a … Read more

Vicky Chandler is the 2021 Recipient of the ASPB Mary Clutter Leadership in Science Policy Public Service Award

ROCKVILLE, MD – The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is pleased to announce that Vicki Chandler is the recipient of its 2021 Mary Clutter Leadership in Science Policy Public Service Award. The ASPB Science Policy Committee awards the Mary Clutter Leadership in Science Public Service Award annually to recognize individuals who have advanced the … Read more

Plant BLOOME 2021 Winners Announced

ASPB established the Plant Biology Learning Objectives, Outreach Materials, & Education (Plant BLOOME) grant program with the goal to enhance public awareness and understanding of the essential roles of plants in all areas of life (http://bloome.aspb.org). Congratulations to the 2021 ASPB Plant BLOOME grant recipients!   The Legume-rhizobium Mutualism: A Model for Inquiry in the … Read more

Announcing the 2021 ASPB 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 careers over the course of 10 consecutive weeks. This year’s SURF recipients will present their research at Plant Biology 2022. Congratulations to these 2021 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellows … Read more

Funding Opportunity for Post-Bac Research

NSF has released a Dear Colleague Letter highlighting an RFP for PIs on active awards. Learn more about this new program in this letter from NSF Communications Specialist Jared Dashoff. The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) recognizes the importance of early-career research experiences, especially for individuals contemplating a career in science, … Read more

Nominations for the PUI Section Steering Committee Now Open

The ASPB PUI section needs new leadership! Currently, the section is led by a five-member steering committee, a chairperson, and a section representative to ASPB council and Membership committee. This year we have several members of the leadership team rotating out of their positions. Therefore, we need to elect a new section representative to Council/MemCom … Read more

CourseSource Online Writing Studios – Application Now Open

In partnership with Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) meeting, CourseSource is hosting Online Writing Studios this summer. The online Writing Studio will be offered twice this summer: July 19-21 from 12-4 pm Eastern each day (for participants writing about online and/or in-person lessons) August 16-18 from 12-4 pm Eastern each day … Read more

Botany 2021 and Plant Biology 2021 are Pleased to Announce a Joint Session Open to all Attendees of Both Conferences

Botany 2021 and Plant Biology 2021 are pleased to announce a joint session open to all attendees of both conferences. Five international experts will speak on diverse symbioses, including endophytes, endofungal symbionts, mycorrhizae, and lichens, with opportunities to engage throughout the symposium. Join us for three hours of exploration of interkingdom interactions. Organized by Gary Stacey, Elizabeth Kellogg, … Read more

Meet the ASPB President-Elect Candidates for 2021

ASPB President Katie Dehesh

Belonging to ASPB brings more than discounts for attending Plant Biology meetings or publishing in the Society’s journals. Our members form a community of dedicated individuals who, like you, work together to support and nurture an engaged, vibrant, and thriving community of plant scientists. By getting involved in ASPB and by voting in our elections, … Read more

Letter Expressing Support for the America Grows Act of 2021

ASPB has signed on a letter to Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member John Boozman, Chairman Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman Richard Shelby, Chairman Jeff Merkley, and Ranking Member John Hoeven expressing support for the America Grows Act of 2021 (S.1371), a bipartisan bill Senators Durbin and Moran have recently introduced that would significantly increase our nation’s … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting $11.5 billion of Funding to Support America’s Agricultural Research Infrastructure

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of funding of $11.5 billion to support America’s agricultural research infrastructure.  As you consider new initiatives to support rural America and investments in the agricultural economy, we strongly urge you to include a federal agricultural research infrastructure investment of $11.5 billion over a period of five … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting the Creation of a Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of creating a Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI), which would fill a critical gap in successfully transitioning new energy technologies into the market and meeting the nation’s energy security and climate goals. We believe that it is time for DOE to have a foundation … Read more

Dealing with Pandemic Disruptions? Contact your Program Officer

As part of its March meeting, members of ASPB’s Science Policy Committee (SPC) met with program staff from several federal funding agencies, including the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Biological and Environmental Research Program at the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Directorate for Biological … Read more

Immerse Yourself in Participatory Workshops During the Plant Biology 2021 Worldwide Summit!

Registration is now open for the Plant Biology 2021 Worldwide Summit, which will take place online from July 19–July 23.  We’re excited to announce that this year we have a fantastic lineup of workshops, organized in three main tracks – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Professional Development; and Technical Development and Innovation. Here are just a … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting Increased Funding for the USDA Genome to Phenome Program

Genome to Phenome FY 2022 Letter: ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of increased funding for the USDA Genome to Phenome program, authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to request your support for $10 million in appropriations for the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative. Established in … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Urging Support for the Highest Possible Funding Allocation for the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bills for Fiscal Year 2022

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of the highest possible funding allocation (302(b)) for the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2022. In sum, the federal government has a unique role in funding the R&D crucial for our national needs, but the federal share of R&D spending remains at … Read more

ASPB’s Position Statement on Diversity

The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) considers increasing diversity among its membership to be an opportunity for investment. Indeed, ASPB believes strongly that meeting the serious challenges faced by humanity, including climate change, food insecurity, and diminishing natural resources, will require groups of scientists that exhibit diversity in their career stage, race, gender expression … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter in Support of at Least $7.7 billion for the Department of Energy Office of Science

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of at least $7.7 billion for the Department of Energy Office of Science. ESC urges Congress to appropriate at least $7.7 billion in FY 2022 for DOE Office of Science, an increase of 9.6 percent above FY 2021. Bold new investments in fundamental research are needed … Read more