This community blog harbors personal viewpoints on how to navigate parenthood and academia from two perspectives, one a current academic parent and another future academic parent. As a female academic parent, Dr. Indrani Kakati’s tryst with parenting has been full of roller-coaster experiences.…

The advancement of scientific knowledge often relies on long-term research efforts, which enable researchers to study multiple factors and thoroughly test their hypothesis. In plant biology, long research projects serve as a cornerstone, providing crucial insights into complex processes and environmental…

Start early and stay prepared Creating a strong curriculum vitae (CV) starts well before you sit down to write it. Your CV should reflect your academic journey: it showcases your accomplishments, current work, and future ambitions. Preparing early gives you a chance to identify any gaps—such as…

How much influence does your alma mater have on your career success? Does attending a prestigious school guarantee a successful career, or is it less relevant in a world prioritizing skills and experience? In this article, I will explore these questions to clarify the age-old debate: does where you graduate…

Embarking on a career in plant science is both exciting and challenging. As the world grapples with pressing issues like climate change, food security, and sustainable agriculture, plant scientists play a pivotal role in developing innovative solutions. However, to make a meaningful impact and achieve…

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,…

Plant science is an exciting field where many students opt for a PhD. While working in academic positions can be fulfilling, there are also many other career paths to explore. Statistics show that only about 15% of postdoctoral scientists land a tenure-track position (McConnell et al., 2018), leaving…

Why does AI matter in this verdant domain? Picture a world where data dances with genomes, phenotypes, and environmental variables in an intricate waltz of insight. AI orchestrates this symphony, revealing patterns and predicting outcomes at a speed that would make Mendel's peas blush. From spotting…