Returning this year, ASPB is pleased to provide daily summaries of sessions taking place at Plant Biology 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 26-30, 2025. The brief summaries are prepared by specially appointed Conference Correspondents who provide insightful recaps, interviews, and on-site perspectives throughout the course of the conference. This year’s Conference Correspondents include two Plantae Editors, who are key to the success of ASPB’s popular Plantae website.
Meet the Conference Correspondents
Dennis Baffour-Awuah
Dennis is a passionate science communicator committed to improving public understanding of agricultural innovations. He is currently a PhD student and Graduate Research Assistant at the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication at the University of Georgia. With a background in plant biotechnology, Dennis combines scientific depth with creative flair in his work. He hosts the AgriCurious podcast, where he holds discussions about agricultural and environmental systems for all audiences. He enjoys blending his passions for writing, DJing, and art to make science engaging and accessible to diverse audiences. Dennis was a former Plantae Fellow and is currently a Plantae Editor, a role he has held for two years. X: @dennisgameplay
Ching Chan
Ching is a junior PI in Taiwan with broad interests in plant–microbe interactions under diverse environmental conditions and their application to crop improvement. Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, he investigates the fundamental roles of membrane receptors and ion channels in modulating immune responses against bacterial and fungal pathogens. To translate these findings into agricultural benefits, homologous genes in crop plants are also being explored. Ching is a Plantae Editor and works closely with Mary Williams on the Plant Science Research Weekly series. X: @ntnuchanlab
Charlay Wood
Charlay is a postdoctoral researcher at UW-Madison (originally from the UK!) with a passion for specialized metabolism and exploring commercial applications in plant science. Her current work focuses on enhancing CO₂ uptake in crops and rerouting that carbon to produce high-value aromatic compounds. “After serving as your Conference Correspondent at Plant Biology 2023 in Savannah, Georgia, I’m thrilled to be back in the role here at Milwaukee for Plant Biology 2025! 🌿🔬” You can find Charlay on all the socials @charlaywood.
ASPB thanks Dennis, Ching, and Charlay for sharing their talents and expertise with the community, and making the #PlantBio2025 Daily Review possible.
