NIFA Extends Deadlines for Proposal Submission to AFRI Programs

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced that is extending deadlines for its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (https://nifa.usda.gov/program/agriculture-and-food-research-initiative-afri). AFRI issued additional guidance that while other deadlines have not been extended, proposers whose applications would be delayed due to “valid extenuating circumstances” should contact the … Read more

Journal Flexibility in the Troubling Times of COVID-19

Dear authors, reviewers, and editors, Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we, the Editors-in-Chief and publishers of multiple plant-focused journals, have had questions from members of our community about our flexibility in these troubled times. Like many of you, we and our colleagues on our editorial boards are also facing serious issues in life and work … Read more

ASPB Member Spotlight – Beverly Agtuca

Title: Visiting Assistant Professor at Adams State University, ASPB Intern Conviron Scholars Program Teaching Assistant 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 Note: This interview was originally published in the July/August 2019 Edition of ASPB News What would … Read more

Society Civic Science Initiative: Advancing Collective Support for Civic Science Activities

Addressing many of the most complex and important problems we face—from climate change to global health threats—requires conversations and collaborations among scientists, decision makers, and the public more broadly. For many scientists, these interactions are embedded in their identities and daily realities; they may regularly speak to the media, meet with their elected representatives to … Read more

Welcome New Ambassadors

ASPB Ambassadors are early career scientists (students and postdocs) and industry employees enlisted to communicate the mission and vision of the Society to other plant biologists and to the general public, to help ensure the ongoing vitality of the Society.  These young leaders engage their campus communities in outreach activities, represent ASPB at section conferences, … Read more

Plant Biology 2020 – COVID-19 Statement

Planning continues uninterrupted for ASPB’s upcoming Plant Biology 2020 conference in Washington, DC, on July 25 to 29, 2020.  Plenary and concurrent symposia are taking shape; workshops are scheduled, and registration is strong and on target based on our historical attendance data: we are looking forward to another great meeting. Although we are excited to … Read more

PUI Travel Grants for PB2020!

UPDATE: grant has been funded! Looking for travel support to attend Plant Biology 2020 in Washington D.C.?  If you’re associated with a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI), apply by Monday, March 9th, 2020 here:  https://aspb-pui.secure-platfo… ASPB’s PUI Section supports research engagement at PUIs for current and prospective faculty and their students and annually offers a workshop the Saturday morning … Read more

Editorial: Announcing the Plant Direct Associate Reviewer Board

At Plant Direct, we take our role as a society journal seriously. So seriously, in fact, that we belong to two societies: the American Society of Plant Biologists and the Society for Experimental Biology. Part of our commitment is to publish the work of our community members without worrying about impact or novelty, as long as it meets our … Read more

ASPB Welcomes Our New Members Who Joined in January/February 2020

ASPB welcomes all the new members that joined in January and February 2020.  The many opportunities ASPB provides the plant science community would not be possible without our member, so thank you for joining. Learn more about the opportunities powered by ASPB and the benefits of membership. Join ASPB in welcoming our new members: Modesta Abugu, University … Read more

ASPB Welcomes Our New Members Who Joined in 2019

ASPB welcomes all the new members that joined in 2019.  The many opportunities ASPB provides the plant science community would not be possible without our member, so thank you for joining. Learn more about the opportunities powered by ASPB and the benefits of membership. Join ASPB in welcoming our new members: Ammad Abbas, University of Edinburgh Patrick … Read more

ASPB Member Spotlight – Katy McIntyre

Katy McIntyre Title: PhD Candidate, Vice Chair of the ASPB Ambassador Alliance, and NSF Graduate Research Fellow  Place of Work or School: Colorado State University  Member Since: 2016  Research Area: Molecular Plant Pathology      What would you tell colleagues to encourage them to join ASPB?  ASPB is one of the only scientific societies for … Read more

Travel Awards for Plant Biology 2020 from the Primarily Undergraduate Institutions Section a Possibility

The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is a leader in developing and supporting professional development opportunities for members at all career stages and who are at different types of institutions. In an effort to boost research engagement at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) for current and prospective faculty, ASPB is offering a PUI workshop on … Read more

Policy Update – NASA Releases Early Career Solicitation Towards Plant/Food Production Technologies

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Technology Mission Directorate released a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion-2020 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2020).”  The purpose of an NRA is to address future technological challenges of the aerospace enterprise that encourage economic growth and space research objectives.  Included in this specific solicitation are several … Read more

Submit Your Plant Biology 2020 Abstract by February 20th to be Considered for a Talk

Registration is open for Plant Biology 2020! And if you would like your work to be considered for a concurrent symposium presentation, you must submit your abstract by February 20. Plant biologists at all career stages are encouraged to submit. This year, ASPB’s annual meeting will be July 25–July 29 in Washington, DC, marking a … Read more

President’s Letter – The Transparency Project: Episode 2

Continuing our transparency project, in this President’s Letter I discuss a proposal for a new name and mission statement for one of our standing committees, the Minority Affairs Committee (MAC), and highlight the activities of another standing committee, the Women in Plant Biology (WIPB) Committee. Minority Affairs Committee Our standing committees work hard to identify … Read more

Announcing the 2020 Travel Grant Winners

The Travel Grant Program aims to increase attendance of early career scientists at the annual meeting by providing travel funds for those in financial need. Increasing diversity among the annual meeting attendees is another primary goal. Undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and professionals beginning their careers in plant science are strongly encouraged to apply. … Read more