Entries by Plantae Community

The Unforeseen Benefits of Curiosity-Driven Research

The Benefits of Curiosity-Driven Research It was only a few years ago when everyone around the country and world learned about the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), as it was a common method for testing for SARS-CoV-2 infections. Despite this, PCR has been around for decades and serves important roles in our society. This technique serves […]

Applications Now Open For the 2026-2027 Plantae Fellows Program

Are you a creative and articulate plant scientist looking to connect with other like-minded folks? We need your help to nurture and grow Plantae, the online home for the global plant science community that is powered by ASPB. We are looking for individuals who want to become highly engaged by creating and curating content, facilitating […]

Reimagining Undergraduate Teaching and Research

Setting the stage All of us remember sitting in front of a tutor and feeling completely inadequate for not understanding something that seemed obvious to everyone else. At the same time, many of us who have mentored students also remember encountering that one student who appeared unable to understand the material, no matter how many […]

The Plant Cell Features January, February and March 2026 First Authors

Behind the manuscripts are researchers, professors, professionals, and students dedicated to advancing the field of plant science. You’ve seen our First Authors on Bluesky, X and Facebook— now, read more about why they chose to pursue plant sciences and click on the links to read their articles. Vinod Kumar Vinod Kumar (he/him)  is the First […]

Why Does Plant Science Need More Storytellers?

The world has grown impatient, especially with science. People want information about things they care about, from people whom they can trust. Trust is built through stories that connect scientific research to everyday life. These stories must feel relevant, told by people who show what they care about and why, in language people generally understand.  Science journalist and author Helen Pearson notes that […]