ASPB Ambassadors builds community. Just like a healthy ecosystem, a strong scientific community depends on diverse connections, mutual support, and shared purpose. Building the community of ASPB, we lift each other up through outreach, support, and collaboration. We have come together after the 101st meeting of ASPB to share our stories of what being an Ambassador means to us. Whether it’s building programs to engage the public, or forming lasting friendships with fellow ambassadors, being part of this community has helped us all grow.
From Chromoplasts to Conversations: Why I’m an Ambassador
Bushrana Siddique
Most days, I’m in the lab messing with tomatoes- not cooking them, unfortunately, but breaking them apart to study the pigments inside. I work with carotenoids, the colorful compounds that make tomatoes red and help our bodies stay healthy. It’s a lot of spinning tubes, isolating chromoplasts, and figuring out why plants do what they do. But here’s the thing: outside the lab, most people have no idea what any of this means or why it matters. One day, I was explaining my research to a friend, and they just blinked and asked, “Tomatoes have what inside?” That’s when it hit me: doing the science is only half the job. The other half is being able to explain it in a way that actually connects with people. That’s why being an Ambassador matters, especially now. There’s so much noise out there: misinformation, confusion, scientific jargon. We need people who can make science clear, human, and a little less intimidating. Being an Ambassador gave me a space to do that. To share. To listen. To learn how to talk with people, not just at them. So yeah, I work with tomatoes. But more than that, I’m learning how to tell their story—and in the process, helping science feel a bit more real for everyone.
Planting the Seeds of Science Communication
Deepti Nambiar
Serving as an ambassador to the ASPB provides me with an excellent platform for science communication, specifically in the context of plant sciences. I consider science communication to be an important aspect of career development as well as outreach. The ASPB platform facilitates dissemination of information to the public about the latest plant science research. It also helps in educating the public about the relevance of plant science research to global challenges such as food security, health and climate change. In a policy environment that is moving away from research, this platform can help in countering misinformation such as that associated with genetically modified crops and climate change. This would ultimately inform good government policies for research, allocation of adequate funds, setting up good regulatory networks also creating a platform for their effective implementation. From a personal perspective, I believe the experience which accompanies initiatives such as outreach and mentorship are invaluable for developing leadership skills and acquiring a more broad and balanced perspective on research. This would also enable me to explore more fulfilling goals in the realm of plant sciences. Serving as an ASPB ambassador enables me to include science communication as part of my career as well as personality development.”
Asha Kumari
What being an ambassador means to me and how it has influenced me: Being an ambassador opened new ways to connect with a global network of plant scientists who share same or different views. I can see opportunities for communicating science with non-scientific people throughout reach activity which have always been my to do thing. Benefits include discounted registration for ASPB meeting which otherwise might not be possible due to fund scarcity. Jobs search on Plantae Jobs which I was not aware until I became a member of ASPB.
Tiny Allies, Big Impact: Exploring Mycorrhizal Magic and the Power of Plant Partnerships
Rohit Kumar
Being an ASPB Ambassador is really important to me, especially in today’s world where plants and their health matter more than ever. With climate change, growing populations, and the need for sustainable farming, it’s clear that plant science has a big role to play. My own research looks at how plants respond, both throughout their whole system and in specific areas, when they interact with mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi form partnerships with plant roots, helping plants get nutrients and deal with stress. I find it fascinating how these tiny organisms can have such a big impact on plant growth and resilience. As an ambassador, I get to share this excitement with others, whether it’s students, fellow scientists, or people who might not know much about plant biology.-
Podcasting to bring plant science stories to life
Asha Sastya
As a Ph.D. student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev studying ROS signaling in plants under abiotic stress, I see firsthand how plant science is essential for building climate resilience. But I also know that science becomes truly powerful when it connects with people and that’s why being an ASPB Ambassador is so important to me.
Growing up as the daughter of a farmer in India, I witnessed both the beauty and the challenges of agriculture. That experience drives my commitment to not only conduct meaningful research but also ensure it reaches the people it can most benefit farmers, young researchers, and the broader public. As an Ambassador, I bridge that gap by using creative science communication tools like podcasting to bring plant science to life in accessible and inspiring ways.
My goal is to share stories that reflect how research, especially in plant biology, holds transformative power for real-world problems like food security, sustainability, and environmental stress adaptation. The ASPB Ambassador platform allows me to amplify this mission by leading outreach initiatives, connecting with diverse audiences, and helping others see the wonder and relevance of plant science in their everyday lives.
In today’s world, where science must meet society’s urgent needs, being an Ambassador is not just a role, it’s a responsibility and a chance to create meaningful change.
Growing Connections: How ASPB Ambassadorship Cultivates Community and Career
Maren Arling
Serving as an ASPB Ambassador for the past two years has offered huge opportunities for networking and building a deeper connection with the ASPB community. A passion for science communication has been central to this experience, with ambassadorship providing a platform to develop programs that bring plant science to the public. The role also fosters strong professional relationships—connecting ambassadors with scientists across ASPB and creating lasting bonds and friendships. For those who enjoy discussing plant science, the ambassador program opens doors to rich conversations and shared enthusiasm. Ambassadors often gain early access to resources, job openings, and recruiting opportunities, while also engaging with the future leaders of ASPB. –
Rashidat Yusuff
Being an ASPB Ambassador means serving as a bridge between plant science and society, amplifying the relevance of plant biology in addressing global challenges like food insecurity and climate change. As an ambassador, I gained access to a vast professional network, leadership training, financial support to improve me as a budding researcher and opportunities to promote science communication and outreach. This role empowers me to inspire the next generation of plant scientists, advocate for ASPB programs and opportunities and build skills that position me as a visible leader in the plant science community. For instance, I was able to communicate the aims of the society to professionals and younger generations (undergraduate students) in plant biology and related fields. One memory that really sticks out to me is that through ASPB, I was able to connect and meet like-minded individuals from almost everywhere in the world, and this opportunity have allowed me to increase my professional network. Further, through communication of the society’s mission, I have honed my communication and leadership skills. Finally, through it’s financial support and subsidized fee for Ambassadors, attending ASPB conferences and programs have become easier. I look forward to more growth this role will bring. I must say, one of my biggest wins this year is being an ASPB AMBASSADOR!
Linkan Dash
One of my favorite experiences as an ASPB Ambassador happened at a recent conference. At a poster session, I met a graduate student from another country who was nervous about presenting her research and unsure about what to do after graduation. She told me she was trying to decide between doing a postdoc in industry or in academia, and wasn’t sure which would be better for her career. I shared what I’ve learned: industry postdocs usually mean working on team projects in a fast-paced environment, and you get to see your research make a real-world impact. Academic postdocs, on the other hand, often give you more freedom to explore your own ideas and focus on basic science. We also talked about how important it is to find good mentors, think about work-life balance, and consider what you want in the long run. By the end of our chat, she felt more confident about looking into both options and asking others for advice. Moments like this are why I love being an ASPB Ambassador—it’s about helping others, sharing honest advice, and making sure everyone feels welcome. If you’re thinking about getting involved, I encourage you to join us. You’ll find support, inspiration, and the chance to make a real difference in someone’s journey.
Andrew Foudree
Being an ASPB ambassador has brought my ability to understand the entire field of Plant Biology to a new level. Interacting with scientists from academia, government, and industry has really shown me how ASPB functions and has a key role in science today. It is a critical place to network and learn about career paths in science – both conventional and non-conventional. Lastly, it is a great place to share diverse ideas that have increased my knowledge and ability to enhance the projects that I work on every day. As an ambassador, I highly recommend that others get involved, either through the ambassador program or ASPB directly – it is an amazing career and educational tool that I believe a lot of people in the scientific field overlook.
Thayssa Schley
Being an ASPB Ambassador is holds special significance at this stage, as I am applying for permanent research positions in Brazil. Participation in the ASPB Ambassador program highlights my connection to a key international network of plant scientists, bringing valuable perspectives and benefits not only for networking and advancing my own research, but also for strengthening the research being done in Brazil. It also demonstrates active engagement engaged in science communication, both with peers and with society, an increasingly valued skill in the scientific community. The role reflects leadership, global engagement, and a commitment to sharing science beyond the lab.
Andrew Egesa
Throughout my journey in the plant sciences, serving as an ASPB Ambassador has provided me with an opportunity to gain insight into the current developments in the field and explore various aspects of plant science research and the plant science community. This has provided me with the support to participate in several plant science workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities, which has been positive in my professional development.
Elena Pelech
Being an ASPB ambassador in 2025 for me has sustained a sense of community in plant science, advanced my professional development, and broadened my network connections. The ambassadors program introduced me to section committee roles, which have been very rewarding. The biggest accomplishment this year has been an accepted publication in Plant Physiology – a group effort within the Environmental and Ecological Plant Physiology section, where committee members (like myself) and early career researchers within the section conducted a review on the “Importance of measuring and reporting environmental conditions across plant science subdisciplines”. Making such connections and a publication wouldn’t have been possible without the ambassadors program!
Liza Gautam
Working with pennycress has been an incredible journey from studying a small weed to helping shape it into a sustainable oilseed crop. During my PhD, my research focused on improving key traits such as reducing seed glucosinolate content, increasing seed size and oil yield, and enhancing drought resilience. Each project brought me closer to the larger goal of transforming pennycress into a crop that benefits both farmers and the environment. Through this work, I’ve also realized that many people have never heard of pennycress or understood its potential. Explaining how a common “weed” can contribute to climate solutions has taught me the importance of clear and engaging science communication. Over the past year as an ASPB Ambassador, I’ve had the opportunity to share science in ways that truly connect with people. Through outreach activities, community events with farmers, and conversations with students and fellow researchers, I’ve seen how effective communication can spark curiosity and inspire understanding. This experience has strengthened my ability to bridge science and society, and to represent plant biology beyond the lab. Being an ambassador has shown me that science isn’t just about discovery; it’s about connection, storytelling, and impact!
