As a leading society in our field, ASPB has an obligation to advocate not only for plant science, but also for plant scientists. We are not fulfilling our obligations to the latter if we stand by as members from groups that have been historically marginalized continue to face exclusionary practices, taunting, and harassment from others … Read more
Late last week, a passionate conversation erupted around a critically important topic in the plant science community: diversity and the inclusion of minoritized groups in visible roles at conferences, including IPMB2022. ASPB has been tagged in the conversations, and our delay in responding—our silence—allowed an unacceptable situation to get worse. Although ASPB has been assisting … Read more
As the President of ASPB, I’m writing to offer my sincere apologies to Thelma Madzima and the entire community. The recent events in regard to IPMB have demonstrated our shortcomings and urgent need to address the issue of diversity and inclusion, and our obligation to address the social and moral challenges we are facing. The … Read more
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022 ASPB Awards. The deadline is February 25, 2022, so please submit your nominations as soon as possible. It is important that ASPB honor the most notable achievements and contributions of plant scientists worldwide – a responsibility that we carry out in large part through our annual awards … Read more
On December 10, the Defense Sciences Office (DSO) at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) released a broad agency announcement (BAA) for its Cornucopia program. Cornucopia is a funding opportunity focused on how to produce palatable food from microorganisms such as bacteria, microalgae, and fungi using minimal inputs. The program will span four years and … Read more
The Time to Recognize and Honor Excellence Among Our Fellow Plant Scientists Is Approaching The 2022 Call for Award Nominations will be sent to ASPB members on January 3, 2022, and nominations will be due by Friday, February 25. ASPB encourages you to participate in the 2022 awards program by nominating highly deserving individuals. Please … Read more
Are you interested in science writing? Do you want to help people understand complex scientific issues? Apply for the ASPB/AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Program and learn how to increase public understanding of science and technology. Fellows in the 10-week 2022 summer program will work as reporters in mass media organizations nationwide. Application … Read more
As you may have heard, ASPB has implemented a new database to track memberships and other activities within ASPB. This database is also the source for our member-facing directory, so it’s a vital tool in ensuring society members can find each other. To make this database as accurate and useful as possible, we are inviting … Read more
ASPB recently signed a letter that encourages and supports a conference agreement for House and Senate competitiveness legislation that will, “reflect a bipartisan, bicameral commitment to maintaining U.S. global competitiveness through increased long-term investments in NSF research and education programs.” Read the Full Letter Here
By Asia Hightower (EDIC) and Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi (EDIC) During the Plant Biology 2021 meeting, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) hosted a virtual workshop called ‘Surviving Academia and Industry’. Navigating the scientific workforce can be challenging for anyone at all career stages, but is particularly stressful for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) … Read more
ASPB is now accepting applications for the Women’s Young Investigator Travel Awards to attend Plant Biology 2022, which is scheduled to be held this year in Portland, Oregon from July 9-13, 2022, and online! The goal of the program is to increase attendance of early-career female investigators at the annual meeting; women plant scientists who … Read more
Planning for the Plant Biology 2022 conference is well underway. This year the conference will be a joint meeting with the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and this year’s program committee is pleased to invite members of the plant science community to submit proposals for workshops to be held during the conference. Please complete and … Read more
ASPB is offering a limited number of travel grants to attend Plant Biology 2022 which is scheduled to be held in Portland, Oregon from July 9-13, 2022, and online. The travel award program aims to increase attendance of early-career scientists at the annual meeting by providing funds for those in financial need; increasing diversity among … Read more
The past year and a half has been an unprecedented time for all of us, and it has brought unforeseeable changes to our lives. I recognize that you have many competing priorities in your life as you struggle with the consequences of the pandemic. Research, classes, family and social commitments, and sound mental health are … Read more
As you may have heard, ASPB has implemented a new database to track memberships and other activities within ASPB. This database is also the source for our member-facing directory, so it’s a vital tool in ensuring society members can find each other. To make this database as accurate and useful as possible, we are inviting you … Read more
By now, we hope you have heard about ASPB’s major fundraising drive – the Centennial Challenge – leading up to ASPB’s 100th anniversary in 2024. Although components of the Centennial Challenge – the Pioneer of ASPB program, for example – are perennial, at a recent meeting of the Centennial Challenge Committee it was decided to … Read more
We are looking forward to Plant Biology 22, a meeting organized jointly by the Canadian and American societies of plant biology, returning to a primarily in-person format in Portland. New for this year, the ASPB/CSPB/SCBV Program Committee is soliciting proposals from the community to convene and organize concurrent symposia. The Program Committee will evaluate the proposals … Read more
Reports of sexual harassment in the plant sciences have recently been brought to public attention by Science magazine. The American Society of Plant Biologists believes that discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation have no place in our society, and we want to express our strongest support to any victims of such reprehensible behaviors. Although neither the … Read more
ASPB is pleased to sign a letter urging U.S. House and Senate Democratic leadership to prioritize and protect the vital investments in agricultural climate research, agricultural innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure within the Build Back Better human and climate infrastructure package. These proposed investments are a generational down payment to fill critical R&D gaps and … Read more
Since the beginning of 2021, ASPB has partnered with Oxford University Press in the publication of The Plant Cell and Plant Physiology (see ASPB welcomes Oxford University Press). Through this partnership we’ve been exploring new ways to share and highlight the exciting research published in these journals. We’d like to introduce you to a new … Read more