Rising Stars of IS-MPMI
Woven through the Legends sessions, the Rising Stars of IS-MPMI webinars showcase the next generation of leaders in molecular plant-microbe interactions.
PhD students and postdoctoral researchers are invited to self-nominate to present their work to the global MPMI community.
Speakers are selected by a panel of IS-MPMI Board members based on scientific merit and contributions to the MPMI community.
All Rising Stars sessions are held at noon UTC-3, hosted live on Zoom, free and open to the public, and recorded for the IS-MPMI YouTube channel. Recordings will also be available here.
Sessions and Deadlines
| Session | Date | Self-Nomination Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | July 29, 2026 | June 30, 2026 |
| Session 2 | November 18, 2026 | October 14, 2026 |
| Session 3 | March 2027 (TBD) | TBD |
| Session | Date | Self-Nomination Deadline | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | July 29, 2026 | June 30, 2026 | Register |
| Session 2 | November 18, 2026 | October 14, 2026 | |
| Session 3 | March 2027 (TBD) | TBD |
How to Apply
Self-nomination is open to IS-MPMI members who are current PhD students or postdoctoral researchers. Each session has its own call for self-nominations.
Self-nominations for the first session (July 29, 2026) are open now and close on June 30, 2026.
If you cannot access the Google Form, please email contact@ismpmi.org and we will send you an alternative sign-up form.
Calls for the November 2026 and March 2027 sessions will be announced separately in the coming months.
Eligibility
- Open to IS-MPMI members who are current PhD students or postdoctoral researchers.
- Not yet a member? Join today!
- Early-career scientists based in the Global South can apply regardless of membership status.
- If selected, Global South presenters will receive a complimentary 3-year IS-MPMI membership.
Awards
GetGenome Rising Star Award
The top-ranked Rising Star will deliver a named plenary award talk at the 2027 IS-MPMI Congress in Jeju, South Korea, receive complimentary Congress registration, and receive support from GetGenome to attend the Congress in person.
Tanon Excellence Award
Webinar Recordings
Legends of IS-MPMI
Leaf Surface RNA: how does it get there are what does it do
Roger Innes
