Speaker: Dr. Shawana Tabassum Plants encounter different types of biotic (such as attacks by microbes, herbivores, invasive plants, and pests) and abiotic stresses (including drought, floods, salinity, extreme temperatures, and nutrient deficiencies) throughout their lifecycle. These environmental stresses lead to time-dependent changes in biochemicals, which circulate through the xylem and phloem, vary progressively, and can act as early indicators of plant stress. Key signal molecules produced in response to environmental stresses include both non-volatile phytohormones and volatile organic compounds. Therefore, accurate and timely measurement of these biomolecules would help producers and scientists diagnose crop stresses early, before visible symptoms appear, and optimize resources to minimize stress-induced growth and yield declines. This talk will focus on measuring these plant stress signals early with in-situ sensors.
Speaker: Dr. Bart Nicolai. Pear fruit are typically stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. When the O2 concentration is too low or the CO2 concentration too high, browning disorders may develop. The current hypothesis is that the diffusion resistance of the tissue limits the O2 supply and causes the respiration metabolism to stall and fermentation to be upregulated. The low energy yield of the fermentation pathways causes an energy crisis, and essential maintenance processes such as cell membrane repair are no longer possible. Eventually cells die and phenolic substrates are oxidised to brown colored patches. In this presentation Dr. Nicolai will discuss how gas transport in fruit can be studied by both experimental and in silico techniques. He will show how X-ray microtomography techniques can be used to create 3-D representations of pear tissue at micrometer scale and how its microstructure affects gas transport. As the respiration and fermentation pathways provide the driving force for gas transport, the development of browning disorders of pear fruit is, hence, determined to a large extent by its microstructure and respiratory activity. This knowledge may inspire the development of future sensors to measure the susceptibility of batches of pear fruit to CA related browning disorders and facilitate cool store management.
In this engaging talk, recently retired professor, Elizabeth Mitcham reflects on her career journey to offer valuable advice to students. Drawing from personal experiences and professional milestones, Professor Mitcham will share insights on making choices throughout your career, seizing opportunities, and maintaining work-life balance. The talk covers essential topics such as the importance of networking, knowing what you value most, and the benefits of pursuing diverse interests. By weaving these lessons into a narrative of her own career, Professor Mitcham aims to inspire students to navigate their academic and professional paths with confidence, resilience, and purpose.
Come to the Hort Theater to hear about exciting job opportunities with Driscoll’s, the global leader in fresh market berries! You’ll hear an overview of our business operations and locations as well as the types of roles we hire for and what we look for in prospective candidates. You may even hear a few tips and tricks to help get your application noticed that you can use with us – or other prospective employers. Please join for an informal presentation and short Q&A session.
I work on Driscoll's talent acquisition team and enjoy talking about career choices and Driscoll's business. I've been recruiting scientists and various business functions for Driscoll's global operations for almost 9 years. Come by and talk about various was you can join Driscoll's... Read More →
This year Conviron is launching three new products: • GEN1000-ECO (introduction date: April 16, 2024) • ConvironDirect (introduction date: March 4, 2024) • PGR15/E15 LED Retrofit (introduction date: Jan 5, 2024) GEN-1000-ECO: The GEN1000-ECO is a new compact reach in chamber ideal for short and tall plant research that comes standard with humidity control and energy efficient features such as a smaller compressor and LED lighting - for up to 15% reduced energy consumption. Low, medium and high light options are available to meet a range of research requirements. ConvironDirect: ConvironDirect is a new premium software tool that enables users to manage chamber setpoints and actual conditions remotely through any building LAN connected desktop, notebook or handheld mobile device. ConvironDirect is ideal for users that have Conviron reach-in plant growth chambers or walk-in rooms and want a seamless connection to their chamber, their plants, and their data from virtually anywhere. PGR15/E15 LED Retrofit: Fluorescent lamps such as T5, T8 and T12 have been the standard for many years and have been used in tens of thousands of plant growth chambers around the world. However, fluorescent lighting is trending towards obsolescence and replacement lights are increasingly difficult to source economically. Conviron is now offering a retrofit for aged PGR15-E15 chambers to enable users to take advantage of the latest LED lighting technology and save up to 80% on energy costs.
People in academics and in the industry are regularly asked to write letters of recommendation for students, or even employees. Writing recommendation letters is generally not something people learn or get formal guidance about. And it’s not something that graduate students typically learn in their degree program. Undoubtedly, many members of our industry and profession will have (student) requests for a support letter for a scholarship, internship, employment, promotion, etc. Based on personal experience reviewing hundreds of scholarships and award applications for several programs, this presentation will provide insight to assist in writing effective letters of recommendation. Providing a quality recommendation requires thought and effort to enhance the requestor’s success. Specific items a recommender should consider when crafting a recommendation ideally would include obtaining the person’s current resume; a copy of the scholarship or opportunity they are applying to so the nominator can specifically address and connect the individual to the opportunity; specific details including when the recommendation is needed, format required, etc. Things to consider in the nomination letter include specific relationship to the individual; anecdotes with the particular person that can set the candidate apart; relevant industry/work experiences; awards, recognitions, and involvements, especially if they are not always included in the resume. Authors should avoid letters that are too long, or too short, and adhere to any limitations outlined by the request. Avoid simply repeating or rehashing the student’s resume, instead provide more detailed insight and praise related to specific resume items. Sometimes sharing the letter with the student can be appropriate. It provides an opportunity for them to express concern for something that the author might have over-represented or, perhaps add something the author did not include that could increase impact. Moreover, the letter is form of feedback and can foster a growth mindset and has the potential to enhance the student’s performance. Additionally, this activity should and can be documented for a faculty performance review. Writing letters can be time consuming and rewarding, both for the nominee and yourself. Hopefully insight shared will assist individuals with constructing quality support letters and recommendations.
Noa Lincoln will present - Indigenous crops and cropping systems have tremendous potential to improve markets, livelihoods, human health, cultural identity, ecological outcomes, and adaptation to climate change. With one example--breadfruit--I will showcase how work within the TPSS department has supported tremendous growth in the industry to realize numerous positive impacts on Hawai‘i's food system.
Rosemary Gutierrez-Coarite will present - Maui Edible Crops Program: Integrated pest management of the most important pest of edible crops in Maui County, conducting field and lab trials. Soil fertility and water stress management field trials for improving crop productivity, reducing pollution, and increasing the resilience of farming systems.
Alberto Ricordi will present as an CTAHR alumni and share an overview of recent extension activities (workshops, events, trails, etc.). Students will be able to see that there is an opportunity to engage in CTAHR Extension activities during their studies to get prepared for extension as a career, make connections in the industry, and prepare for the marketplace.
Associate Professor - Indigenous Crops, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Noa Kekuewa Lincoln is an Associate Professor with a focus on Indigenous Crops and Cropping Systems, in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, and the PI of the Indigenous Cropping Systems Laboratory. He is the President and... Read More →
The Department of Horticulture has 16 research, teaching and extension faculty members and about 40 full-time staff plus additional hourly workers located primarily in Fayetteville, Little Rock, and at research stations in Clarksville and Kibler, AR. The department is home to approximately 15 graduate students and 75 undergraduate students and focuses on sustainable horticulture, landscape and ornamentals, fruit, vegetable, and ornamental/landscape field and controlled environment production, and turfgrass science. The faculty members work throughout the state, have strong relationships at different Division of Agriculture research stations and work directly with producers and other relevant stakeholders. There are several exciting collaborations and novel research and extension opportunities immediately available. Among the six faculty who are actively seeking graduate students, there are projects in ornamentals, public horticulture, physiology, fruit breeding and production, integrated pest management in entomology and weed science, and controlled environment horticulture.
Ready to dig deeper into your passion of the science of cultivated plants and take your career to new heights? Join us for an engaging session where Dr. Tanisha M. Williams, a prominent plant biologist and Fulbright U.S. Student alum, will share how the Fulbright Program can be your gateway to global opportunities. Imagine traveling the world, researching climate impacts on plant species, or exploring conservation efforts in diverse ecosystems. This is your chance to learn how Fulbright can help you cultivate essential career competencies, build lasting international connections, and prepare for a dynamic career in a multicultural world. Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your academic journey and grow your professional network.
Dr. Tanisha M. Williams is an Assistant Professor in Plant Biology and Director of the UGA Herbarium. Her research uses an integrative approach to explore the impacts climate change has on plants found throughout South Africa, Australia, and the United States. Fulbright alum, she also founded Black Botanists Week to amplify diverse voices in science. Dr. Williams earned her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut in 2019.
