2026 PMB Spring Symposium

Overview

The PMB Spring Retreat is a full-day event designed to highlight the research activities of consortium members and introduce these members to North Carolina's community of plant molecular biologists. 

The program includes research lectures given by faculty, short-format student talks, and industry talks given by corporate scientists.

Participants are encouraged to submit an abstract for consideration for a Flash Talk focused on their current research or ideas for future research.

Agenda

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Registration

12:30 p.m. - 12:35 p.m. | Introduction

12:35 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Session 1 

Chair: Stef Elorriaga, NCSU

12:35 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | "Rubisco condensates and cyanobacteria symbiosis: the secret lives of hornworts" - Fay-Wei Li, Duke University

1:00 p.m.  - 1:30 p.m. | Flash Talks

  • "Characterizing the role of thrips cyclophilin A and understanding its relationship with tomato spotted wilt virus" - Peyton LaBonte, NCSU
  • "Targeted Stimulation of Meiotic Recombination for Crop Improvement Using Novel Breeding Technology" - Eleanor Brant, Meiogenix
  • "A single-cell time course identifies AGAMOUS-LIKE transcription factors as regulators of root aging" - Pablo Szekely, Duke University
  • "Spatial transcriptomics of host and microbe in Sorghum anthracnose" - Sam McMillan, UNC Chapel Hill
  • "Comparing Auxin-Dependent Root Hair Regulation in Arabidopsis and Tomato" - Megan Gerber, Wake Forest University
  • "Streptocarpus as a model system for regeneration and recalcitrance" - Andrew Whilloughby, Duke University

1:30 p.m. - 1:55 p.m. | Networking and Refreshments

1:55 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Session 2: Chair: Soo Park, Duke University

1:55 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. | "Editing for Impact: CRISPR-Driven Trait Development at Pairwise" - Nat Graham, Pairwise

2:20 p.m. - 2:35 p.m. | "Iron and phytoalexins orchestrate a healthy leaf microbiota composition" - Shanice Webster, Duke University

2:35 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. | "A non-enzymatic chitinase-like protein ZmCTL1 confers resistance to maize stalk rot" - Tao Zhong, NCSU

2:50 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. | "How does GSH regulate cell cycle progression in plants?" - Laura Lee, UNC Chapel Hill

3:15 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. | Networking and Refreshments

3:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. | Session 3 Chair: Naveen Chana, UNC Chapel Hill

3:40 p.m. - 4:05 p.m. | "Novel computational methods reveal novel genes" - Emily Bellis, Avalo

4:05 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | "Impacts of Intermicrobial Interactions on the Soybean - Rhizobia Symbiosis" - Reid Longely, NCSU

4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | "Metabolic regulation of reproductive thermotolerance and the role of flavonol in modulating ROS during pollen-pistil interactions" - Nina Bravo-Chan, Wake Forest University

4:45 p.m. - 5:10 p.m. | "Stable through improvement, Transient by Nature" - Steve Rigolout, Syngenta Seeds

5:10 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. | Closing remarks

Register
For More Information

For questions or more information, contact:
Hannah Cole
Program Manager, Science and Technology Development Science and Technology Development 919-549-8840 | [email protected]

Date
-
Address

NCBiotech
15 TW Alexander Drive
Durham, NC  27713
 

Cost
$10 Students & Postdocs | $25 Professionals & Faculty
Tags
Agtech
Register
For More Information

For questions or more information, contact:
Hannah Cole
Program Manager, Science and Technology Development Science and Technology Development 919-549-8840 | [email protected]

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