August LabNotes: The Latest Discoveries, Science, and News
It has been a busy summer. Read up on our latest news here.
President David Stern: People Behind the Science Interview
Tune in to BTI’s David Stern on People Behind the Science: Growing Our Understanding of Photosynthesis to Improve Plant Metabolism
BTI Hosts 15th Annual Student Research Symposium
Summer interns complete their research experience by presenting talks and posters to the BTI community.
“Hackathon” Breeds Momentum for Plant Breeding Software
An international group of computer programmers gathered at BTI to create a single interface that will connect databases from breeding programs worldwide
Remembering Ralph Hardy
The former President and CEO of the Boyce Thompson Institute and pioneer of nitrogen fixation research passed away August 2 at the age of 82.
Summer Institute Keeps Teachers ahead of the Curve
BTI’s Curriculum Development Projects in Plant Biology summer institute exposes STEM educators to new research on agriculture, plant biotechnology and bioenergy.
Art@BTI: Artist Interview with Susan C. Larkin
Works by photographer Susan C. Larkin and poet Timothy Larkin, now on exhibit. Please join us on September 29, 2016 at 5:00 pm for an art and science program celebrating this exhibit.
Art@BTI: Artist Interview with Christina Coleman
Works by artist Christina Coleman, now on exhibit. Please join us on September 29, 2016 at 5:00 pm for an art and science program celebrating this exhibit.
Summer Interns Guest Curate BTI Twitter Account: Meet Andrew Willoughby
This July summer interns have taken over our Twitter account. Check out our Twitter feed to learn more about life in the lab for an undergrad during a #BTISummer.
Summer Interns Guest Curate BTI Twitter Account: Meet Stephanie Futrell
Starting July 11, summer interns are launching a Twitter takeover. Check out our Twitter feed to learn more about life in the lab for an undergrad during a #BTISummer.
Honoring the Life and Work of Jean Pierre Vité
The renowned German forest scientist and former Director of the Forest Biology Program at BTI passed away July 5 at the age of 93.
Summer Interns Guest Curate BTI Twitter Account: Meet Hailey Edmondson
Starting July 11, summer interns are launching a Twitter takeover. Check out our Twitter feed to learn more about life in the lab for an undergrad during a #BTISummer.
In Memoriam: Dorothy Dent Park
The faculty and staff of BTI express their deepest sympathies to the Park family, with the passing of Dorothy Park, dedicated humanitarian and president emeritus of the Park Foundation.
Jander Lab Members Win ASPB Awards
Postdoctoral researcher Vered Tzin received support to present her work at the American Society for Plant Biology annual meeting in July, and Cairo Archer received an undergraduate research fellowship to support her summer research in the Jander lab
BTI Faculty Honor Former Advisor, Steve Tanksley
Tanksley made invaluable contributions to plant breeding and genetics, laying the foundation for targeted crop improvements to increase food security.
The 15th Class of Interns Arrive at BTI
Get to know the new crop of interns at BTI.
Intern Anniversary Series: Stephen Bolus
Bolus was a 2011 intern in the Klessig Lab, which confirmed his research interests in molecular plant-microbe interactions. He is now pursuing a Ph.D. in plant pathology at UC Davis.
Stephanie Meyer Joins BTI as Sr. Director of Development and Communications
Meyer has significant experience working within the non-profit and scientific communities and has strong ties to the Ithaca Area.
BTI Co-hosts Greenhouse Curators Conference
Attendees of the 2016 Association of Education and Research Greenhouse Curators annual meeting in July will spend a morning at BTI learning about its history and research
Celebrating the Life of Karl Maramorosch
The distinguished scientist left an incredible legacy of plant and insect discoveries and he will be missed by his many friends and colleagues.
Peter Cornelius of AlpInvest Partners Joins BTI Board
Cornelius, an expert in governance, global economic development and investing, will work closely with BTI’s Technology Transfer Office.
Boyce Thompson Center Update: BTI Exhibit and Fall Opening
The transformation of the former Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) building at 1086 N. Broadway in Yonkers, NY is well under way.
How BTI Celebrates Earth Day
An important part of BTI’s mission is to advance scientific knowledge to protect the environment. Here are a few of the current projects at BTI that work to achieve that mission.
Klessig’s Research Featured by Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
The Spring 2016 issue of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation newsletter featured recent work by Dan Klessig. The newsletter highlighted his recent PLOS ONE paper on salicylic acid and human GAPDH.
BTI Newsletter – Labnotes
The latest issue of BTI Labnotes is here. Don’t miss an issue. Sign up for our monthly newsletter today.
Summer Teacher Institute Receives Record Number of Applicants
The Education and Outreach group faces the tough task of selecting a group of motivated teachers that serve diverse populations of students.
BTI Hosts Visit from My Brother’s Keeper Group
The group from Team I.M.P.A.C.T. of Rochester, NY, exposed young men to potential careers in the plant sciences.
BTI Exhibit Planned for Renovated Yonkers Building
Visitors to the soon-to-be reopened Boyce Thompson Center in Yonkers, New York, will receive a dose of BTI history.
Jonathan Gomes Selman Recognized as Distinguished Youth
Tompkins County has awarded Gomes Selman, a 2015 high school intern at BTI, its Distinguished Youth award for his numerous academic and volunteer commitments.
Announcing Our Name Shortening
Boyce Thompson Institute is proud to announce that it is expanding its brand, while shortening its name.
BTI Faculty Listed in World’s “Most Influential Scientific Minds”
Giovannoni and Kochian both ranked in the top 1 percent of researchers publishing in plant and animal science.
BTI Alum Vijay Joshi Joins AgriLife Research Center
His experience at BTI created a foundation for future work investigating metabolic pathways.
BTI Named One of 2016’s Best Companies to Work for in New York State
BTI has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York State for 2016.
And the Winners Are…
BTI announces the winning proposals submitted to the Triad Foundation’s Plants and Human Health grant program.
Board Chair Laura Philips Makes an Impact at BTI
Laura Philips, the CEO and co-founder of Spheryx Inc., brings her science background, business acumen and enthusiasm to BTI board.
BTI Scientists Flock to Annual Plant and Animal Genome Conference
BTI researchers will present current research on the Sol Genomics Network, using CRISPR to edit genomes, the whitefly genome and others.
Favorite Discoveries from 2015
2015 was an exciting year for BTI. Here are just a few of our scientific discoveries from the past year.
Position Opening: VP, Development and Communications
BTI, an independent research institute on the Cornell University campus, invites applications for the position of Vice President, Development and Communications.
Imagine a Summer of Scientific Discovery at BTI!
The Boyce Thompson Institute is now accepting applications for summer internships in Plant Genome Research and Bioinformatics!
BTI Scientists Envision the “Future of Food”
What will your dinner plate look like in 2050? With discoveries from the Boyce Thompson Institute, future crops may have more nutrients and greater resistance to insects, drought and disease.
GOBii Workshop Seeks Solutions to Big Data Problem
The GOBII project gathered researchers from breeding centers around the world to make a plan to develop the architecture for a genomics database for five staple crops.
Why Teachers Spend Their Vacation Days at BTI
Ongoing relationships with teachers enable Education and Outreach to host valuable professional development workshops on plant and insect science for dedicated teachers.
BTI Receives Grant to Support Development of Cold-Tolerant Corn
Researchers in the Stern laboratory will investigate potential benefits of “high-Rubisco” corn plants, under a new USDA-funded project.
Burke Brings Political Perspective to BTI Board
“Plant science is a great topic because people are much more aware of the effects of climate change and the challenges of food and energy production right now,” says Burke.
Better Biofuels: Harrison Collaborates on Sorghum Project
Maria Harrison will participate in a $13.5 million, multi-institution systems biology project with Daniel Schachtman of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to develop sorghum that is more drought resistant and uses nitrogen more efficiently.
Van Eck Gives Insight into Genetic Engineering to Cornell Students
Students in Cornell University’s course, The GMO Debate: Science and Society, visited a genetic engineering laboratory at Boyce Thompson Institute, courtesy of Assistant Professor Joyce Van Eck and postdoctoral researcher Alex Amaro, Stern Lab.
Hartz Plans to Keep BTI and Ithaca Sustainable
Hartz serves on the BTI Board of Directors where he advises and oversees the financial and administrative aspects of BTI. He also acts informally as an Ithaca representative, maintaining the strong connection between BTI and the local community.
Cairo Archer Wants to Level the Growing Field
“There is such a disconnect between what the average person knows about plant science and what we do in the lab here…I think it’s really important to be able to talk to anyone about what I do in a way that they understand.”
New Time for Monday Morning Seminars
The Fall Monday Morning Seminar series began Monday, August 31 at 9:30 AM. Featuring two talks from Armando Bravo from the Harrison Lab and BTI Science Writer, Patricia Waldron.
5 Questions with Pamela Ronald
Pamela Ronald, a rice geneticist at the University of California, Davis, and a member of the Boyce Thompson Institute Scientific Advisory Board, “I support genetic tools and farming practices that enhance sustainable agriculture.”