Meet ASPB’s New President: Hong Ma

ASPB is delighted to welcome its new President, Hong Ma, who was elected in 2023 as President-elect and served in this role starting October 1, 2023. He stepped into his role as ASPB President on October 1, 2024 following the end of now-Past President Leeann Thornton’s term. “A top priority is to support and train … Read more

Pablo Manavella Appointed Next Editor-In-Chief of The Plant Cell

The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is excited to announce Pablo Manavella will serve as the next Editor-in-Chief of The Plant Cell. The Plant Cell is a leading international society journal that publishes novel research of special significance in plant biology, especially in the areas of cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, development, and … Read more

Oct. 17: The Plant Cell Webinar Focus on Photosynthesis

Celebrating the October 2024 Focus Issue on Photosynthesis October 17, 2024 1:00 PM UTC | 9:00 AM EST     It is difficult to overstate the importance of photosynthesis to life on Earth. Despite its importance, critical gaps remain in our understanding of photosynthesis, its interplay with other metabolic pathways, and the adaptation and acclimation processes … Read more

Science Policy Update: EPA Releases Final Herbicide Strategy

By Elizabeth Stulberg, PhD, and Victoria Swiler, Lewis-Burke Associates LLC The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final Herbicide Strategy on August 20, a move that it anticipates will protect more than 900 federally endangered and threatened (“listed”) species from the potential impacts of herbicides. Since the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed in 1973, … Read more

Sept. 23: The Plant Cell Webinar Focus on Proteolysis

Celebrating the September 2024 Focus Issue on Proteolysis September 23, 2024 1:00 PM UTC | 9:00 AM EST Proteolysis is an essential cellular function that mediates the processing and turnover of proteins. Proteolytic post-translational control of protein stability is also a central feature of cellular signaling and crucial for almost all aspects of plant biology, including vegetative … Read more

ASPB Webinar Sept. 13: Demystifying the NSF Fellowship Application Process

A Webinar by the ASPB Early Career Plant Scientists (ECPS) Section September 13, 2024 12 PM Eastern time The ASPB Early Career Plant Scientists (ECPS) Section proudly presents the first in our career development series: “Demystifying the NSF Fellowship Application Process.” Writing a fellowship can be hard. We’re here to help make it easier! In this … Read more

ASPB President’s Update: Your Perspective Matters!

Dear ASPB members, My efforts in the past eight months have been focused on understanding the many people involved in carrying out the ASPB mission and looking for ways to build connections and remove barriers to inclusion. ASPB unites us as a community of people who support the growth and development of the field of … Read more

Plant Physiology Focus Issue Webinar: Vegetable Crops, June 5, 2024

Plant Physiology Webinar: Vegetable Crops Celebrating the June 2024 Focus Issue on Vegetable Crops Recorded Wednesday June 5, 2024 About this webinar Vegetable crops encompass over 200 plant species utilized as human food. They have been domesticated from their wild progenitors that have undergone a process influenced by human preferences and diverse environmental factors. Because … Read more

Plant Physiology is recruiting Assistant Features Editors to start in 2025 and 2026

By Yunde Zhao (Plant Physiology EIC) and Mary Williams (Plant Physiology Features Editor) We started the Plant Physiology Assistant Features Editor program more than six years ago to help young scientists to advance their career and help disseminate exciting discoveries published in Plant Physiology. Since then, more than 100 early-career career scientists, mostly postdocs but … Read more

25 Inspiring Women in Plant Biology

In March, the ASPB Women in Plant Biology Committee asked you to nominate remarkable women who shape our field for recognition by the ASPB community. We recognize these 25 women to highlight their achievements and leadership, celebrate their impact in plant biology, and inspire future generations. We will continue to build a more equitable and … Read more

ASPB Webinar April 24: What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Grad School (2024 Edition)

A Panel Discussion by the ASPB Early Career Plant Scientists (ECPS) Section April 24, 2024 12 PM CST The ASPB Early Career Plant Scientists (ECPS) Section wants to help you succeed in graduate school. As you prepare for the next step in your professional career, ECPS will help guide you with our annual panel discussion … Read more

Congratulations to ASPB’s 2024 Award Recipients

The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2024 awards, which honor distinction in service, outreach, education, and research. ASPB-Carnegie Winslow Briggs Mentorship Award Judy Brusslan, California State University, Long Beach, CA Joanne Chory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA Charles Albert Shull Award Robert … Read more

White House Easter Egg Roll Exhibit will Promote Plant Biology

The American Society of Plant Biologists plans to engage families in the wonders of plant science as part of the 2024 White House Easter EGGucation Roll   The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) returns to participate in the White House’s annual Easter Monday celebration. This year, the Easter Egg Roll occurs on April 1. … Read more

Researchers Solve Crucial Cold-Induced Sweetening Problem in Potato Production

The potato industry benefits from new tuber research published in The Plant Cell   Researchers have discovered a game changer for the potato industry. According to a new study published in a leading international society journal published by the American Society of Plant Biologists, a small genetic element is the cause of a major production … Read more

Celebrate Herstory: Nominate Inspiring Women in Plant Biology for Recognition!

Blog by Rebecca Roston, Chair, ASPB Women in Plant Biology Committee In honor of US Women’s History Month, the Women in Plant Biology Committee of the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is thrilled to celebrate the remarkable women who have shaped and continue to shape our field. We’re calling on YOU to nominate exceptional … Read more

Researchers Decipher Mysterious Growth Habit of Weeping Peach Trees

Why do weeping trees “weep”? A basic premise of how plants grow is that shoots grow up and roots grow down. A new study, published in Plant Physiology, a leading international society journal published by the American Society of Plant Biologists, reveals the answer to a fascinating question: why do weeping tree varieties defy this … Read more

Weighing in on GMO Technology Regulation

In late December 2023, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reopened the comment period on a recent proposal that outlined five additional exemptions for “plants with modifications that could be achieved through conventional breeding.” USDA APHIS coordinates responsibilities for Biotechnology Regulatory Services, which protect plant health and implement … Read more

Urging Investment in Agriculture Research Innovation

In March 2023, US Senators Michael Bennet and Roger Marshall introduced the Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act with the goal of supporting “high-risk, high-reward agricultural research and development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).” ASPB was one of 65 organizations that signed a recent letter to the Senate and House Agriculture Committee members … Read more

ASPB Signs in Support of ARACI Act

In late September, ASPB joined a diverse group of organizations representing state, research, scientific, and private industry interests to sign a letter urging support for the Advancing Research on Agricultural Climate Impacts (ARACI) Act as part of the 2023 Farm Bill. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Todd Young (R-IN), and … Read more