Volume 9 • 2025
From Wild Roots to Scientific Heights: Prof. Roger Innes’ Journey to the National Academy of Sciences
Roger Innes is a trailblazer in the field of plant-microbe interactions and newly elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. MPMI Assistant Feature Editor Meenu Singla-Rastogi interviewed Innes on his scientific journey, the mentors and moments that shaped it, the challenges of mentoring, and the evolving landscape of…
Spotlight on Maniraj Rathinam
Maniraj Rathinam is a dedicated plant molecular biologist and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India. Learn how his research on redox-based defense mechanisms in legume wild relatives is opening new avenues for engineering durable insect resistance in crops….
Reflections from the Board: Goodluck Benjamin on His IS-MPMI BOD Tenure
Goodluck Benjamin, INRAE/Université Côte d’Azur, France, reflects on how his experience on the BOD helped him grow and strengthen his commitment to advancing plant-microbe interactions for the benefit of all….
Junior Member BOD, Signing Off!
Priyamedha Sengupta, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics, Spain, signs off as her term on the BOD ends. In her role, she enjoyed a variety of tasks, including evaluating travel grant applications and award nominations and organizing activities at conferences and Early Career Researcher Showcases….
Congratulations to IS-MPMI Members Receiving Awards
Jeff Dangl, Jonathan D. G. Jones, and Brian J. Staskawicz received the 2025 Wolf Prize in Agriculture. Roger Innes and Hailing Jin were named 2025 members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. Julia Vorholt was awarded the 2025 Novonesis Biotechnology Prize for Pioneering Work in Plant Microbiome Research….
Meet the Opening Session Speakers
The 2025 IS-MPMI Congress will kick off with a dynamic opening session that includes Keynote Speaker Rotem Sorek and Plenary Speakers Thorsten Nürnberger, Wenbo Ma, and Ryohei Terauchi….
Time Is Running Out to Register for the IS-MPMI Congress
Join over 1,000 scientists, researchers, and industry professionals July 13–17 in Cologne, Germany, for the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress! Registration closes on July 7….
Join the MPMI Assistant Feature Editors July 13 for Their Satellite Meeting
The MPMI Assistant Feature Editors will host a satellite meeting on Building Careers in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions Through Effective Mentoring, exploring the influence of mentorship in career growth….
Connect with IS-MPMI on Social!
Connect and collaborate with members in our new IS-MPMI Member Online Community on LinkedIn, and follow IS-MPMI and MPMI on Bluesky to keep up on events, news, and the latest research….
Welcome New IS-MPMI Members
Join us in welcoming new members to the IS-MPMI community….
MPMI Call for Papers: Symbiotic and Pathogenic Interactions in the Rhizosphere
This focus issue aims to highlight cutting-edge advances in our understanding of the dynamic relationships between plants and microbes within the rhizosphere. Submit your research for consideration by September 1, 2025….
Call for Applications: Join Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions as an Assistant Feature Editor
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (MPMI) is looking for creative, innovative communicators to volunteer their time to engage with both the scientific and nonscientific communities. Learn more about the opportunity and how to apply….
MPMI Is the Official Journal of the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress!
Great news! All 2025 IS-MPMI Congress attendees qualify for a $500 discount off their article processing charge when they submit a manuscript to MPMI….
Spotlight on Early Career Researchers
Damaris Barminga is pursuing her M.S. degree in biotechnology at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. Learn how her research into the offensive and defensive mechanisms involved in the interaction between Striga and its host plant is providing groundbreaking insights….
Bridging Academia and Industry
Ph.D. candidate Sandra Gomez‘s passion for bioinformatics led her from Purdue University to a co-op internship in computational biology at Corteva AgriscienceTM, working under the supervision of Dr. Achal Rastogi. Sandra interviewed Dr. Rastogi about his perspective on the career transition from academia to industry and his advice for young…
Science Communication with Priya Sengupta, Part III
In the third part of our series on science outreach and communication, Dr. Priyamedha Sengupta describes her outreach activities at the Science is Wonderful fair; another Pint of Science festival; and Researchers’ Night. Her experiences reveal how outreach bridges the gap between science and society and promotes the critical role…
2025 IS-MPMI Awards Announced
Congratulations to Roger Innes on receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award and to Sebastian Eves-van den Akker on receiving the Early Career Achievement Award….
Great News! Abstract Submission Extended to March 26
The abstract submission deadline has been extended to March 26. Submit your abstract for oral presentation and be part of the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress in Cologne, Germany, July 13–17….
Early Bird Registration Is Now Open!
Register now for the 2025 IS-MPMI Congress and save! Join global experts for groundbreaking sessions, dynamic posters, and unmatched networking. Early bird rates end April 30….
IS-MPMI Satellite Meeting: Building Careers in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions Through Effective Mentoring
Join the MPMI Assistant Feature Editors (AFEs) at the Building Careers in Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions Through Effective Mentoring satellite meeting on July 13, 2025, to explore the influence of mentorship in career growth….