Process Story – Planning Plant Biology 2020

“The people I have met have been extraordinarily qualified. Their intent is good. Their commitment is true.” – The West Wing The Washington monument spears the blue fall sky; the Jefferson memorial, covered in spiky scaffolding, looks like a hedgehog; the Capitol rotunda peeks between office buildings.  Traffic backs up at an intersection near the Lincoln … Read more

Funding Opportunity – NSF Releases New Microbiome Solicitation Under Rules of Life Big Idea

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released a new solicitation as part of the Understanding the Rules of Life (URoL) Big Idea, entitled Understanding the Rules of Life: Microbiome Theory and Mechanisms (URoL:MTM).  In the this cross-directorate effort, NSF plans to invest between $12 million and $15 million to better understand the theoretical and mechanistic … Read more

Policy Update – House Agriculture Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Implementation of Farm Bill Research Programs

On October 17, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing to review the implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s 2018 Farm Bill research programs with testimony from Deputy Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics Scott Hutchins.  This hearing comes after the Farm Bill was reauthorized in December … Read more

Conviron Scholars 2020 – Applications Now Open

ASPB and Conviron are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity to nurture the next generation of plant scientists. Open to exceptional undergraduate and graduate students studying plant biology, the ASPB Conviron Scholars program delivers an experience intended to serve as a foundation for a career in plant science. Applications welcome from any country.  Students who … Read more

Plant Science Startups wow the crowds at Plant Biology 2019

In keeping with the innovation and tech valley theme of our San Jose location, ASPB welcomed five plant science startups to Plant Biology 2019 to take part in what we called the “Innovation AveNEW” row of exhibitors in a section of the tradeshow floor.  In case you couldn’t make it to the conference, here’s a … Read more