Entries by Plantae Community

NGS Technologies: Where Will the Future Take Us?

The development of DNA sequencing technologies has experienced multiple paradigm shifts within just a few decades. From the early efforts to sequence biopolymers to the invention of electrophoretic methods for automated DNA sequencing, the journey has been remarkable (Shendure et al., 2017). As a bioinformatics student fifteen years ago, I witnessed the nascent impact of […]

Building Healthy Writing Habits for Plant Scientists

Effective writing is an essential skill for plant scientists, playing a crucial role in various aspects of their professional lives. The skill of scientific writing is first developed during an undergraduate’s degree – where they face the challenges of writing a first protocol or thesis – this journey in writing continues throughout a plant scientist’s […]

Tips From a Final-year PhD Student

The journey to start a PhD is interesting but can also be challenging for some. Here are a few tips that can be helpful to avoid setbacks in mental health and maintain a peaceful life. This article is generally applicable to all but especially written in the context of plant biology students. Some ideas may […]

An Interview with Professor Gitta Coaker: A Resilient Researcher Shaping the Future of Many in the Field of Plant-microbe Interactions

Professor Gitta Coaker is the John and Joan Fiddyment Endowed Chair in Agriculture at the University of California, Davis. She joined the faculty at the University of California, Davis in 2007. Dr. Coaker’s research program focuses on understanding kinase-mediated immune signaling and pathogen effector targets in both model and crop plants. Recent research investigates both […]

Lack of Minoritized Inclusion in STEM: Beyond Mentoring to Meaningful Change

An article by Rebecca Roston, Lesley Murphy, Imara Perera, Ebony McGee.   Dr. Ebony McGee’s powerful address at the 2024 Plant Biology meeting ignited a critical conversation about structural racism in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Her talk was co-sponsored by the Women in Plant Biology and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committees with the […]

Bridging the Gap: Navigating the Transition from Academia to Industry in Plant Sciences

The transition from academia to the private sector in plant sciences presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. While academic research provides a solid foundation in scientific principles and methodologies, the private sector demands a different skill set focused on practical applications, commercial viability, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As plant scientists navigate this transition, they encounter […]