InterConnections
Spotlight on Early Career Researchers
Recent graduate Dr. Alexandra Margets is focused on identifying and understanding the components of the plant-pathogen interface, and her research work has led to the identification of a key protease effector of soybean cyst nematode. With her current and future research, she hopes to gain information that expands our knowledge of plant immunity.
InterOutreach
Science Communication with Priya Sengupta, Part II
In the second part of our series on science outreach and communication, Dr. Priyamedha Sengupta describes her outreach activities, including working on an educational animated program; giving Soapbox Science presentations on the street; and participating in the Pint of Science festival, delivering talks in bars and pubs, as well as participating in the 2022 IS-MPMI Early Career Showcase.
Research Spotlights
Meet Ph.D. student Ye-Eun Seo, Department of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, Seoul National University, South Korea, who received the MPMI Best Student Paper Award for her first-author paper on “Phytophthora infestans RxLR Effector PITG06478 Hijacks 14-3-3 to Suppress PMA Activity Leading to Necrotrophic Cell Death.”
Meet Jiyeong (Jess) Choi, a recent Ph.D. degree graduate from Cornell University, USA, who garnered an Honorable Mention for Best Student Paper in MPMI for her first-author paper, “Grapevine Fanleaf Virus RNA1-Encoded Proteins 1A and 1BHel Suppress RNA Silencing.”
Congratulations to Xing Wang for garnering an Honorable Mention Best Student Paper in MPMI for her first-author paper, “A Coculture of Enterobacter and Comamonas Species Reduces Cadmium Accumulation in Rice.”
Opportunities
Donate to the Michael Mishkind Travel Fund and support travel awards for IS-MPMI members who are early career researchers seeking to attend the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress.
IS-MPMI Is Now on Bluesky!
Follow us on this new social media platform that continues to increase its presence in the scientific community.
Join the IS-MPMI Community
Get involved with IS-MPMI by presenting and attending the IS-MPMI Conference, submitting a manuscript to MPMI, or sharing content through social media platforms. Learn how you can volunteer and engage with the IS-MPMI community.
Join us in welcoming new members to the IS-MPMI community.
Explore New Entries in the “What’s New in MPMI!” Virtual Seminar Series
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the latest “What’s New in MPMI!” virtual seminar, with host Jeanne Harris and guest Yingpeng Xie, who discussed the MPMI H. H. Flor Distinguished Review, “Unlocking Nature’s Defense: Plant Pattern Recognition Receptors as Guardians Against Pathogenic Threats.”
To gain new insights into the field of plant immunity, listen to “Microgreens” season 2, episode 5, during which Raka Mitra, Dominique Holtappels, and Tiff Mak discuss plant immunity with guest Jane Parker.
Catch up with recent MPMI Editor’s Picks published in the August, September, and October issues and additional commentaries authored by MPMI Assistant Feature Editors.
Events
Register for the 2025 Early Career Showcase Happening in February
On Thursday, February 20, and Thursday, February 26, half-day virtual events will highlight research on molecular plant-microbe interactions by early career scientists around the globe.
Join Us at the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress
Make plans now to attend the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress in Cologne, Germany, July 13–17.
Check out the Job Center on the IS-MPMI website.