News & Updates

We deplore the pervasive institutional racism that allows systemic injustice, inequality, suffering, and violence to fester. We understand the love, fear, and anger of those protesting the most recent murders of unarmed Black people going about their lives, and we implore governments and their agents to act with restraint and... Read more

Zhiyong Wang Acting Director and Senior Staff Scientist, Plant Biology, Carnegie Institution for Science INTERVIEW BY DIWAKER TRIPATHI ASPB Student Ambassador, University of Washington Zhiyong Wang grew up in Wuda, a small coal-mining town in northwest Inner Mongolia, China. He received his BS in plant physiology from Lanzhou University, China,... Read more

On May 27, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) released a request for application (RFA) through its Crops of the Future Collaborative.  FFAR is seeking transformative research and technologies “focused on ensuring under-appreciated crops also benefit from recent advances and emerging technologies for genotype-independent regeneration of fertile plants to... Read more

Weekly updates on the US federal government’s response to COVID-19 and research opportunities. Federal Guidance Related to Research and Higher Education National Science Foundation (NSF) The 2020 NSF Proposal and Award Policy and Procedures Guide will go into effect as planned on June 1. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,... Read more

On May 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released the final version of the agency’s update to the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology (Coordinated Framework). APHIS initially released a proposed rule in 2019, but withdrew it following significant... Read more

On May 20, ASPB and other societies sent a letter to President Trump to address the Immigration Executive Proclamation. The letter writes, “we urge you to prioritize the immigration of science and technology talent that will spur the scientific breakthroughs and economic growth of the United States that is needed... Read more

On February 20, the Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Scott Hutchins announced the long-anticipated Agriculture Innovation Agenda. This effort has been a long-term priority of Deputy Under Secretary Hutchins and outlines target objectives for a future innovation strategy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Agenda... Read more

Weekly updates on the US federal government’s response to COVID-19 and research opportunities. Federal Guidance Related to Research and Higher Education National Science Foundation (NSF) NSF Virtual Office Hours: Certain NSF Directorates and Divisions have held or are holding office hours for their research community. Examples and additional information below:... Read more

In response to the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing actions taken globally to limit the spread of the virus, the ASPB Board of Directors has decided to convert Plant Biology 2020 to a fully online conference that includes both synchronous (real-time livestream) and asynchronous (on demand) access for attendees. The Plant... Read more

Craig Schenck NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, Treasurer ASPB Early Career Plant Scientist Section, Early Career Representative ASPB Publications Committee How or why did you get into plant science?  Growing up, we always had a garden and I liked to be outside getting my hands dirty. I loved the manual aspect of... Read more

Erin Friedman ASPB Education Committee Chair Note: This interview was originally published in Judy Callis’ President’s Letter “The New Normal” To help members get to know you, how did you get into plant science? My dad, Steve Browder, has a PhD in plant physiology and taught biology at Franklin College,... Read more

Weekly updates on the US federal government’s response to COVID-19 and research opportunities. Congressional and Federal Updates Senate Returns to Washington Despite COVID-19 Concerns The Senate returns to Washington on May 4 under controversial circumstances as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reconvenes the Senate amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  The House... Read more

On April 30, ASPB joined other supporters of US agriculture in a letter to congressional leaders. “As Congress considers the next supplemental appropriations package, we urge you to provide the necessary resources to our agricultural research, education, and extension system,” the letter writes. Specific asks to Congress include: $380 million... Read more

Peggy G. Lemaux ASPB Founding Legacy Society Member How did you spend your career? I grew up on a farm in northwestern Ohio and wanted to get as far away from the hard, physical labor on the farm as I could. My brothers, the first in our family to attend... Read more

The “New normal” was a term that arose during the 2007–2008 financial setbacks, and it has been used periodically since then. Again apropos, the term has emerged recently in the popular press. This new normal has its own vocabulary: social distancing, flattening the curve, N95 masks, Zoom and Zoombombing, and... Read more