Recipient Organization
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
JORDAN HALL 142
BLOOMINGTON,IN 47401
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The 19th International Congress on Plant-Microbe Interactions (IC-MPMI) will convene in Providence, Rhode Island, from July 16 through July 20, 2023. For the last 40 years, this meeting has been the premier forum for announcing and discussing the most innovative scientific discoveries elucidating the molecular events by which plants and microbes interact. The program will include a mix of established and young investigators working on pathogenic and symbiotic associations using diverse biological systems. The plenary and concurrent sessions will highlight the latest advances in fundamental research (e.g. plant immune system, pathogen virulence mechanisms, and the evolution/ecology/cell biology of plant microbiomes and symbioses) as well as translational studies (e.g. novel approaches for disease control, breakthrough technologies, and engineering staple food crops) critical for advancements in agricultural science. Funding from the National Science Foundation will be used to partially defray the travel costs of graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and early career faculty so that they can afford to attend this conference. Special attention has been made to promote broader participation of minorities, women, first-generation students, and the disabled. Importantly, advances through research and education in plant-microbe interactions facilitated by this conference are fundamental to ensure sustained production of high-quality crops and to meet the increasing demands for food and energy worldwide in the 21st century.An important and unique function of the IC-MPMI is to unite research specialists who otherwise would not cross paths (e.g., specialists studying and implementing new technologies, tools and approaches to solve diverse questions related to plant-microbe interactions). Past meetings have been successful at fostering the exchange of scientific information, critical discussion, and establishing strong collaborations across a broad range of research topics and geographic locations. The meeting has also provided significant training value for graduate students and post-doctoral scholars. Travel fellowship awardees will participate in a small meeting workshop designed to inform students about diverse career paths in MPMI research and promote networking opportunties with leaders from private, public, and governmental organizations pursuing MPMI-related research. Networking will also be promoted via a lunch with plenary speakers and other MPMI research leaders nominated by the awardees. We anticipate that this student workshop and lunch will foster new connections required for the success of our next generation of scientists. Several of the participating scientists have links to companies and institutes developing agricultural technology. Student exposure to these entities will be key for those interested in government and industry-related research.
Animal Health Component
25%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
25%
Developmental
25%
Goals / Objectives
The objective of this project is to provide funds for travel fellowships to ensure that our most promising U.S. students can attend the 19th International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (IC-MPMI), which will convene in Providence, Rhode Island, from July 16th through July 20th, 2023. For the last 40 years, this meeting has been the premier forum for announcing and discussing the most innovative scientific discoveries elucidating the molecular events by which plants and microbes interact. The program will include a mix of established and young investigators working on pathogenic and symbiotic associations using diverse biological systems. To assure that new ideas and fresh viewpoints are presented, 90% of the plenary speakers selected to speak in 2023 did not speak in the last IC-MPMI meeting in 2019. In addition, the IS-MPMI board has put great emphasis on gender balance and geographical balance for speakers in all sessions, with 19 of the 34 plenary and keynote speakers being women. The plenary and concurrent sessions will highlight the latest advances in fundamental research (e.g. plant immune system, pathogen virulence mechanisms, and the evolution/ecology/cell biology of plant microbiomes and symbioses) as well as translational studies (e.g. novel approaches for disease control, breakthrough technologies, and engineering staple food crops) critical for advancements in agricultural science. This year, for the first time, our opening session on Sunday evening will focus on the application of MPMI research to addressing food security issues in developing economies, including East Africa, Bangladesh, and Brazil, which we expect will put a real-world perspective on why we do what we do. Travel fellowship awardees, chosen by the U.S. IS-MPMI Board Members, will participate in a workshop on Sunday July 16th (the first day of the congress) that will focus on career paths for MPMI researchers. They will also attend a private lunch with plenary speakers on Monday July 17th. In addition, they will be encouraged to participate in an optional workshop on public outreach (including producing a podcast) on Sunday morning July 16th, prior to the formal opening of the congress Sunday afternoon.
Project Methods
Grant funds will be used to reimburse awardees for the costs of airfare, hotel, and conference registration up to a total of $1500 each. Funds will also be used to cover the costs of hosting a workshop on alternative careers in MPMI and for a luncheon with plenary speakers.