By Tessa Burch-Smith, ASPB President-Elect
1. Taking Action: We’re all Advocates
One of ASPB’s main functions is advocacy that influences national Science Policy so that it is supportive of all science – and plant science, in particular. This work is carried out largely by the Science Policy Committee (SPC), currently chaired by Georg Jander (Cornell University). The Committee works alongside Lewis-Burke Associates, a government relations firm, for outreach to members of Congress. But the SPC and ASPB’s efforts go only so far. We need you, each and every ASPB member, to be ready to join the fight for science funding and rational policies regarding the conduct of science. “What can I do?” you ask. Well, please keep an eye out for calls by ASPB and the SPC to respond to Requests for Information (RFIs) and to engage in other forms of outreach to our political leaders. RFIs are typically put out by federal agencies when they are seeking to change or set a policy. Even more than the content of the responses, the number of responses to an RFI can help determine if a proposed rule or policy is adopted and whether or how the draft policy is changed before it is implemented. There is strength in numbers. That collective voice will be especially important in the coming weeks. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released a proposed rule that could significantly affect how federally funded research is reviewed, conducted, and communicated. Among other concerns, the proposal would shift important grant-review responsibilities away from scientific officers and toward political appointees, restrict the use of grant funds for publication fees, journal subscriptions, and conference participation, and weaken the peer-review framework that underpins scientific rigor, collaboration, and innovation in the United States.
ASPB is actively reviewing the proposal and working with Lewis-Burke Associates and the Science Policy Committee to develop a strong response. Members can expect a more detailed statement from ASPB soon, along with resources and coordinated opportunities to submit comments during the RFI period, which remains open through July 13. ASPB remains committed to advocating against policies that would impede scientific progress and international collaboration, and to helping ensure that the voices of plant scientists are heard throughout this process.
2. Election Open Now Until June 19
Elections for ASPB’s next President-elect and Secretary-elect are now open. Four excellent colleagues have made themselves available as candidates for election, and you can read more about their biographies and visions here. ASPB has a unique three-person structure for the role of President. At any time, there is a President-elect serving alongside a President and a Past President. Thus, ASPB’s presidential term is a three year one, with each year associated with different roles as President-Elect, President, and then Past President. This structure ensures continuity in institutional knowledge, such that critical ASPB projects and values continue at a sustained and steady pace. It also provides a decision-making structure that relies on compromise and consensus to the benefit of the Society. The person elected as Secretary-Elect will serve a four-year term and, in their second and third years, serve as Chair of the Program Committee which plans the annual Plant Biology meeting of the Society. Candidates for these positions were selected through ASPB’s rigorous nomination process, which is described here. ASPB thanks members who made thoughtful nominations of their colleagues. We also thank members of the Nominations Committee for their time and diligence in selecting candidates. If you did not have the opportunity to join the “Meet the Candidates” broadcast last week that featured the candidates for President-elect, you can still watch it here. I highly recommend it! Elections will close on June 19. If you have not voted yet, I strongly encourage you to do so now. This is an opportunity to contribute not only to ASPB’s governance but also to have a voice in ASPB’s present and future.
3. 360 Assessment
Speaking of having a voice in ASPB’s affairs, we are happy to announce that our Community Survey has recently launched. Why the survey? Simply put, we want to know what we are getting right and where we’re going wrong. ASPB exists to promote plant science and plant scientists. Please let us know if you think ASPB is fulfilling our mission. We welcome candid feedback and also new ideas and suggestions for the path forward.
This survey is also a critical piece of a wider “360” assessment that ASPB is undertaking. This assessment will examine both behind-the-scenes operational processes at ASPB as well as programming and engagement with membership and the wider community. The goal of the assessment is to ensure that ASPB is “right-sized” and correctly focused as we undertake the activities outlined in our soon-to-be-released Strategic Plan. The assessment is spearheaded by the Board of Trustees, led by Sreekala Chellamma, ASPB Treasurer.
4. Sections and Section Meetings
Some of the highlights of the annual ASPB calendar of activities are the meetings of the regional sections. This year I had the pleasure of attending the meeting of the Southern Section at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette and the meeting of the Midwest Section at the University of Missouri in Columbia. To date, the Western, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regional sections have also held very successful meetings this year. These meetings are excellent venues for networking and intimate scientific conversation. Importantly, they provide an opportunity for early career scientists to present their work as posters and talks. This year saw some of the largest section meetings on record. The Midwest Section partnered with Mizzou’s Interdisciplinary Plant Group to host a meeting of approximately 250 registrants. The Western Section joined with the Bay Area Plant Biology Hub to host a meeting with approximately 500 registrants! These large meetings speak to the health of the plant biology community, and ASPB is pleased to be able to support the work of the sections. We extend our deepest thanks to all the section leaders and meeting organizers who gave their time and talents to plan and host these meetings. They are a vital part of supporting the ASPB community and especially our early career colleagues. If you are interested in a leadership role in ASPB but feel you’re not quite ready to take on the demands of the national society, then please consider contributing to your regional section. We can always use great volunteers!
5. Plant Biology Working Group (PBWG) and Business Development Working Group (BDWG)
Even in advance of completing our 360 assessment, ASPB is revisiting and revamping its business development strategy. The goal is to diversify and increase ASPB’s revenue streams to support the Society’s growth and to expand the services we provide to our members and the broader plant science community, providing more opportunities at greater value, with a vision of becoming more inclusive. To achieve these goals and ensure that they align with members’ needs, a Business Development Working Group (BDWG) has been established. The BDWG is convened by Ashok Dang (Vice President, Business Development) and includes Sally McKenzie (Epicrop and ASPB Past President) , Nick Carpita (National Laboratory of the Rockies and ASPB Past President), Thelma Madzima (Michigan State University), Shai Lawit (Pairwise), Joshua Gendron (Yale University, former Northeastern Section Representative), Charlay Wood (University of Wisconsin, Madison), Clara Woodall, (ASPB Chief Financial Offer and Chief Human Resources Officer), Crispin Taylor (ASPB CEO), and the President-elect.
In addition to revising our business development strategy, we are also rethinking the delivery of our annual Plant Biology meeting. Our goal is to keep our meeting accessible to a wide cross-section of the plant science community while delivering excellent scientific content alongside opportunities for networking and career development that foster the growth of our early career members. We have assembled a Plant Biology Working Group (PBWG) that is led by Laura Malaguerra, Vice President, Membership and Meetings. Other members of the PBWG are drawn from across ASPB membership and are Miguel Alfonso Pineros (Cornell University and Northeastern Section representative), Sonali Roy (Tennessee State University), Judy Brusslan (California State University, Long Beach and ASPB Secretary), Collen Doherty (Noth Carolina State University and Southern Section representative) and Joey Lagner (University of Maryland and Early Career representative), Karen Hicks (Kenyon College and former PUI Section Representative), Hong Ma (Pennsylvania State University, Immediate Past President), Ian Wallace (University of Georgia and Past Secretary), Ashok Dang (Vice President, Business Development) and Clara Woodall (ASPB CFO/CHRO) and Crispin Taylor (ASPB CEO), along with the President-elect.
Thank you to members of both working groups for volunteering your time and efforts to this important activity. We look forward to revitalized Plant Biology meetings, starting in 2027!
