Plantae Presents: How Do Researchers Handle Imposter Syndrome Head-On?
Plantae Presents: How Do Researchers Handle Imposter Syndrome Head-On?
Featuring Amanda Rasmussen, Sandra Fehsenfield, and Robert Talbot
When: Friday, October 23, 2026, at
10:00 AM EST, 3:00 PM BST, 7:00 AM PST, 7:30 PM IST
About this Webinar
Have you ever doubted whether you truly belong in your lab, your program, or your field, despite your accomplishments? You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome is pervasive in academic research, quietly affecting graduate students, postdocs, and established scientists alike, yet rarely spoken about openly.
In this webinar, our speakers will pull back the curtain on their own experiences with self-doubt, share the moments they almost let it hold them back, and walk through the practical strategies that helped them move forward. Whether you’re just starting in research or well into your career, this session will help you recognize the patterns of imposter syndrome for what they are and give you real tools to address them.
Hosted by the 2026 Plantae Fellows.
SPEAKERS
Amanda Rasmussen
Amanda Rasmussen is an Associate Professor originally from Australia, now living in the UK. Her research in stem-root physiology explores how plants adapt to challenging environments and how these adaptations can be translated into practical solutions for society. Additionally, her research spans disciplines and sectors, bringing together expertise from fields including engineering, architecture, computing, biology and the humanities. She recently published a book titled “What to grow for a climate resilient garden”. Passionate about teaching, mentoring and research culture, Amanda puts helping students and colleagues develop confidence and a sense of belonging in academia front and center, largely in the hope of eventually taking some of her own advice! Despite a persistent suspicion that someone else was probably more qualified to give this talk, she is very pleased to be here.
Bob Talbot
Growing up in an area of The Netherlands with an abundance of glasshouses, Johannes became interested in plants at an early age. He obtained his BSc and MSc in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University (NL). In 2007 he was awarded the Alexander James Keith PhD studentship to work with Prof. Howard Griffiths at the University of Cambridge (UK), where he studied the effects of light limitation on the efficiency of the carbon concentrating mechanism in C4 photosynthesis. Following postdoctoral stints at WUR Greenhouse horticulture and University of Illinois, Johannes returned to Cambridge in 2018 as a research group leader, and currently is leading the Environmental Plant Physiology group at the Department of Plant Sciences and a fellow at Pembroke College. Johannes is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and recipient of the SEB President’s medal in 2020. His research group employs a range of techniques from ecophysiology, mathematical modelling, biotechnology and genetic engineering to study plant physiology at the nexus of basic understanding of plant function and applications to improve sustainability and food security.
Sandra Fehsenfeld
Dr. Sandra Fehsenfeld is a molecular and environmental physiologist, educator, speaker, and founder of AllOWcoaching, where she helps career-minded women build sustainable success without sacrificing their wellbeing.
With a PhD in Biological Sciences and 25+ peer-reviewed publications, Sandra knows the academic world from the inside, including the pressure to perform, prove yourself, and keep raising the bar even when your accomplishments suggest you are already more than capable.
Today, she combines her background in science and university teaching with evidence-based coaching approaches to help women recognize the patterns behind perfectionism and self-doubt, strengthen self-leadership, and navigate demanding careers with greater confidence and authenticity.
Her work bridges science, self-awareness, and practical action to help women thrive in careers they worked hard to build.
MODERATORS
Sonal Sachdev
Sonal Sachdev is a postdoc in the Department of Biology at New York University, and a 2026 ASPB Plantae Fellow. She earned her PhD in Life Sciences from the Bose Institute, India. Currently, exploring the fascinating world of DNA-Protein interactions governing the developmental and stress response pathways in Arabidopsis. She is actively involved in Plant Science Advocacy and serves as an ASPB Ambassador, on the PlantPostdocs Leadership team and the NYU Postdoc Council Committee. Outside the lab, she is an avid reader of mystery thrillers and is resuming her hobby of watercolor painting after a decade. X: https://x.com/sci3ntyst | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scientyst | Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sci3ntyst.bsky.social
Indrani Kakati
Indrani is currently an ASPB Plantae Editor and a former ORISE postdoctoral fellow with USDA-ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Centre in Maryland, US. Her recent work focused on understanding chocolate/cacao plants’ disease resistance mechanisms against devastating fungal pathogens wreaking havoc in cacao growing regions of the world. Apart from being a first-generation researcher mother, she likes to involve herself in reading, journaling, nature photography & enjoys being a mother to a curious 11 year old. X: @Indranik333 | BlueSky: indranik18.bsky.social | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/indrani-kakati-phd-809471278/