Virginia Tech Translational Plant Sciences Center

Congratulations to TPSC affiliate Dr. Holliday and collaborators on their new @ScienceMagazine paper, “Genomic approaches to accelerate American chestnut restoration,” highlighted in @vtnews! Read the full article here: news.vt.edu/articles/2026/…

TPSC graduate students Aleks Halili and Sunilda Frias Ramirez gave @vtspes seminars about Aleks's study to characterize how the maize root endosphere varies across diverse accessions, and Sunilda's study in sparse testing and genome prediction.

Graduate student Yikun Zhang and Dr. Jay You received a TPSC seed grant! Their project combines remote sensing, field data, and agroecosystem modeling to uncover how cover crops impact yield, soil carbon, and nitrogen use efficiency in Virginia corn and soybean systems.

Congratulations to TPSC affiliate Dr. Birgit Scharf on being elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology! This prestigious honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to advancing microbiology. Learn more about the 2026 Fellowship Class: asm.org/press-releases…

Dr. Hua Yan from Dr. You's lab received a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship! His project focuses on developing a hybrid modeling framework that integrates AI, crop modeling, and breeding to improve predictions of soybean yield and seed quality (protein and oil content).

If you would like to attend over Zoom, fill out this registration form: forms.gle/dsABUiydL4B8Ff…

On March 20, TPSC and @VTCals are hosting the inaugural John McDowell Memorial Lecture in the Steger Hall Auditorium. The lecture is open to all colleagues, students, friends, and family of Dr. McDowell, as well as members of the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities.

Last week, TPSC hosted our 2026 Annual Symposium, "Rooted in Translation." The event included guest speakers Jennifer Brophy from @Stanford and Anne Phillips from @NewLeaf_Sym, talks from students and faculty, a panel discussion, a poster session, and an awards ceremony!

Families are invited to join the Little Bookworm for a hands-on science adventure all about flying plants! In this interactive program, hosted by @SchmaleLab, children will see real winged seeds in action and discover how plants use the wind to move and grow in new places.

Thank you to everyone who made a gift towards the Translational Plant Sciences Center and the John McDowell Memorial Lecture Fund this Giving Day! Your support helps fuel research, discovery, and education for our students. Thank you for helping shape the future of plant science!

Today's the day! From noon today to noon tomorrow, you can use these special Giving Day links to support TPSC and the John McDowell Memorial Lecture Fund. Translational Plant Sciences Center: givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/107… John McDowell Memorial Lecture Fund: givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/107…

Giving Day begins tomorrow at noon! Be on the lookout for our special Giving Day links to help support TPSC and the John McDowell Memorial Lecture Fund. Your support helps translate breakthrough plant science into sustainable solutions for feeding the world!

The Wright Lab attended the 6th Annual Mid-Atlantic Synthetic Biology Network (MASBN) Conference at @UofMaryland and toured @dsmfirmenich, seeing firsthand how plant and microbial research translates from the lab to real-world industrial impact.

The John McDowell Memorial Lecture series starts next month and features high-profile speakers in molecular plant‑microbe interactions. Your gift on #VTGivingDay helps fund the series and ensures John’s impact continues to inspire future generations. 🔗: tinyurl.com/mcdowell-lectu…

Congratulations to Dr. Kassaye Belay from Dr. Boris Vinatzer's lab for his successful defense! His dissertation was titled "Integrative Genomic Approaches for Plant Trait Discovery, Fungal Pathogen Identification and Taxonomy."

At the 52nd Tobacco Workers' Conference in Lancaster, PA, Dr. Yuan Zeng and graduate student Jiayu Dong presented their research on pathogen population biology and how environmental factors influence black shank disease development.

Giving Day is just two weeks away! Mark your calendar for February 18–19 (noon to noon) and join Hokies worldwide in supporting what we love most. This Giving Day, consider making a gift to the Translational Plant Sciences Center or the John McDowell Memorial Lecture Fund.

In January, graduate student Sanchari Kundu from Dr. Song Li's lab presented her research poster, "Single-nucleus Transcriptomics Reveal Cellular Remodeling During Salt Stress in Pennycress", at the @PAGmeeting in San Diego. She was also accepted into the PAG mentorship program!

Congratulations to Ph.D. candidate Matheus Correa Borba, who was selected as a recipient of the @iFruitTree Young Professionals Scholarship! This award will support his attendance at the 2026 International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) Annual Conference in February.