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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 1d

University admin & faculty- read this and consider what your core beliefs are- are they: free expression, rewarding merit, and inclusion?

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 1d

MIT President Sally Kornbluth just issued a statement to the campus community saying NO to Trump’s authoritarian compact

“And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.”

Dear Madam Secretary,
I write in response to your letter of October 1, inviting MIT to review a "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education." I acknowledge the vital importance of these matters.
I appreciated the chance to meet with you earlier this year to discuss the priorities we share for American higher education.
As we discussed, the Institute's mission of service to the nation directs us to advance knowledge, educate students and bring knowledge to bear on the world's great challenges. We do that in line with a clear set of values, with excellence above all. Some practical examples:
• MIT prides itself on rewarding merit.
Students, faculty and staff succeed here based on the strength of their talent, ideas and hard work. For instance, the Institute
was the first to reinstate the SAT/ACT requirement after the pandemic. And MIT has never had legacy preferences in admissions.

• MIT opens its doors to the most talented students regardless of their family's finances. Admissions are need-blind. Incoming undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000 a year pay no tuition. Nearly 88% of our last graduating class left MIT with no debt for their education. We make a wealth of free courses and low-cost certificates available
to any American with an internet
connection. Of the undergraduate degrees we award, 94% are in STEM fields. And in service to the nation, we cap enrollment of international undergraduates at roughly
10%.
• We value free expression, as clearly described in the MIT Statement on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. We must hear facts and opinions we don't like - and engage respectfully with those with whom we disagree.

These values and other MIT practices meet or exceed many standards outlined in the document you sent. We freely choose these values because they're right, and we live by them because they support our mission - work of immense value to the prosperity, competitiveness, health and security of the United States. And of course, MIT abides by the law.
The document also includes principles with which we disagree, including those that would restrict freedom of expression and our independence as an institution. And fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific
funding should be based on scientific merit alone.
In our view, America's leadership in science and innovation depends on independent thinking and open competition for excellence. In that tree marketplace of ideas, the people of MIT gladly compete with the very best, without preferences.
Therefore, with respect, we cannot support the proposed approach to addressing the issues facing higher education.

As you know, MIT's record of service to the nation is long and enduring. Eight decades ago, MIT leaders helped invent a scientific partnership between America's research universities and the
U.S. government that has delivered extraordinary benefits for the American people.
We continue to believe in the power of this partnership to serve the nation.
Sincerely,
Sally Kornbluth
CC
Ms. May Mailman
Mr. Vincent Haley

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Plantae.org @plantaeofficial.bsky.social · 1d

#JustIn on Plantae — Staying Sane in the Lab: Tips for Mental Health Strategies for Researchers. In this new piece, ASPB Plantae Fellows Katarina K., Nibedita P., and Ann-Kathrin R. explore realistic strategies for building resilience and protecting your mental health. buff.ly/lI8coP3

#plantscience

Staying Sane in the Lab: Tips for Mental Health Strategies for Researchers | Plantae

This blog post explore realistic strategies for building resilience and protecting your mental health while sustaining your passion for research.

buff.ly

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Plantae.org @plantaeofficial.bsky.social · 1d

📣 Join us for the upcoming Plantae webinar on October 23 at 9 am Eastern time, hosted by the 2025 Plantae Fellows.🌱

👉 Free registration at buff.ly/YRoRap9

#PlantScience

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 1d

I’m looking forward to reading this! The title alone caught my eye 👀 l do want the boxed set!

Marc Somssich @somssich.bsky.social · 3d

Our article "Guns in Rosettes: The Arabidopsis chemical weapons arsenal" is finally published @plantphys.bsky.social!
You can download the #OpenAccess PDF here:

doi.org/10.1093/plph...

But real connoisseurs of #AntimicrobialCompounds will want to get the vinyl boxset: #PlantScience #PlantImmunity

A vinyl box with six colored vinyl LPs sticking out of its right side. The Title "Guns in Rosettes" is on top, with the subtitle "The Arabidopsis chemical weapons arsenal" just below. Then there is an Arabidopsis plant with machine guns sticking out. Below is the statement "6-LP LIMITED EDITION COLORED VINYL BOX SET"

The back cover of the vinyl box set showing the tracklist:
1. Methionine-derived compounds
Aliphatic GSLs
2. Tryptophan-derived compounds (trptonites)
Indolic GSLs
Camalexin
Hycanite (4-OH-ICN)
3. Phenylalanine-derived compounds (phenylpropanoids)
Benzenic GSLs
Coumarins
Hydroxycinnamates
Flavonoids
4. Terpenoids
(E)-β-caryophyllene
α- and β-pinene
Thalianin, arabidin, and DMNT

And the statement "Recorded live in front of an audience in 2025"

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New Phytologist @newphyt.bsky.social · 3d

Apply for the New Phytologist Tansley Medal!

'It was exciting to have a chance, as an early career researcher, to write something in my voice, with my take on where my field is going.' – Matthew Naish, 2024 #TansleyMedal winner

Deadline 1 November 2025:

New Phytologist Tansley Medal for excellence in plant science

The New Phytologist Tansley Medal is awarded annually in recognition of an outstanding contribution to research in plant science by an early career researcher.

www.newphytologist.org

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Cambridge Biochemistry @cambiochem.bsky.social · 4d

There is still time to apply for an Independent Research Fellowship in our Department. Join us: www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/research/ind...

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MSU Plant Resilience Institute @msupri.bsky.social · 3d

We're excited to welcome Christopher Topp to the Plant Resilience Institute! Dr. Topp uses powerful imaging tools to envision the future of sustainable agriculture, and he will soon bring his expertise in root biology to MSU. Read the full story: plantresilience.msu.edu/pri-news/202...

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 5d

RSVP for this upcoming (Oct 23, register by Oct 21) Workshop:
Quantifying Plant Morphogenesis: 4D Insights with MorphoGraphX with Dr. Ya Min & Dr. Shuyao Kong.

Brought to you by PMEX, @plantpostdocs.bsky.social, and NAASC. RSVP @ https:/tinyurl.com/PMEXOctober
@mingyuanzhu.bsky.social

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German Society for Plant Sciences (DBG) @plantsciencedbg.bsky.social · 11d

#PlantSciJobs #PlantSciJob

Group Leader Position

Molecular Plant Sciences: Cell biology and biochemistry to unravel fundamental processes in plant development and biology

School of Life Sciences @TU Muenchen in Freising-Weihenstephan
www.deutsche-botanische-gesellschaft.de/stellenangeb...

Stellenangebote

Stellenausschreibungen in Pflanzenwissenschaften und Botanik

www.deutsche-botanische-gesellschaft.de

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Marc Somssich @somssich.bsky.social · 11d

I never saw this beautiful video about Joanne Chory, published in 2024 in honor of her receiving the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhP1...

In case somebody else missed it too...

#PlantScience #FranklinMedal

Joanne Chory | 2024 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science

YouTube video by The Franklin Institute

www.youtube.com

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The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) @tairnews.bsky.social · 11d

"Postdoctoral and PhD positions in Plant Evolutionary Developmental Biology at Yunnan University, Yunnan, China
*Application Deadline: 10/31/2025"

Read more here: https://arabidopsis.org/news/jobs/view?file=168745.pdf

#PlantSciJobs

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 11d

New MASC initiative to support early career colleagues in need- especially in the U.S. & Argentina - please take a look & send comments to MASC President Thorsten Hamann by Oct 15

The Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) @tairnews.bsky.social · 12d

📣Magnifying a new initiative from MASC (Multi-national Arabidopsis Steering Committee) to support colleagues in need
tinyurl.com/MASC-initiat...
Please read the document and return comments to Thorsten Hamann ([email protected]) by Oct. 15th. Please share.
#arabidopsis #community #plantscience

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Guardian Environment @environment.theguardian.com · 14d

Meat is a leading emissions source – but few outlets report on it, analysis finds

Sentient Media reveals less than 4% of climate news stories mention animal agriculture as source of carbon emissions

www.theguardian.com

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 13d

@plantteaching.bsky.social @root-shoot.bsky.social

North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 13d

this year's applicants - now limited to 1st YEAR GRAD STUDENTS- “will have just over 6 weeks—& that’s only after earlier this week the agency extended the posted deadlines by about 2 weeks, from late October to early November, with no announcement or explanation.”
www.science.org/content/arti...

‘Completely shattered.’ Changes to NSF’s graduate student fellowship spur outcry

The announcement comes months later than usual, leaving many would-be applicants stranded

www.science.org

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 13d

Citing article
academic.oup.com/aob/advance-...

‘Tayloring’ botanical education to student experience: an editor’s perspective on ‘Dance with plants: Taylor Swift’s music videos as advanced organizers for meaningful learning in Botany’

Plants are crucial for life on Earth, underpinning both our ecosystems and our economies. With the growing biodiversity and climate change crises, it is es

academic.oup.com

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 13d

If interested… More about Joanne here
www.arabidopsiscommunity.org/news-events/...

Mourning the loss of Joanne Chory, Arabidopsis pioneer — Arabidopsis Community as supported by NAASC

NAASC remembers the legacy of Dr. Joanne Chory (Salk Institute), Arabidopsis pioneer and climate change champion.

www.arabidopsiscommunity.org

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 13d

Summary of the recent Joanne Chory Symposium!
Dr. Chory was also an inaugural recipient of a PN Benfey Arabidopsis Community Lifetime Achievement award.
More about her extraordinary career 👉🏼https://www.arabidopsiscommunity.org/news-events/joanne-chory

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 13d

Peak success? Being cited by an article about Taylor Swift’s videos and learning in Botany 😜
@josedinneny.bsky.social @plantteaching.bsky.social @bradylabs.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 13d

Yes… mine did chew up a bit of the wood around the bottom of the cabinets 🙃

North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 15d

Omg. My dog (now 4) went through a shark phase early on. There was LOTS of screaming (by us) as we tried to fight off her sharp teeth! We called her shark dog! 🦈

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iGEM @igemhq.bsky.social · 15d

Engineering flowers as a means for public outreach and art!

Dr. @nickdesnoyer.bsky.social reimagines Arabidopsis with new colors and shapes, blending plant biology, synthetic biology and creative arts!

Hear him speak at SB 8.0 at the iGEM Grand Jamboree! jamboree.igem.org/2025/program...

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Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 15d

⏰ Don’t forget – applications for the JXB 2026 Editorial Internships closes next Tuesday (30 Sept)! 🌱✍️

⚠️ Don’t leave it to last minute – the application takes some work:
📄 CV
📝 Cover letter
🔍 Commentary (Insight style, max 1500 words, based on a JXB paper ≥ July 2024)

Apply now: bit.ly/jxbinterns

Journal of Experimental Botany @jxbotany.bsky.social · 19d

🚨 Calling all #PlantScience ECRs! 🚨

JXB is now inviting applications for its 2026 Editorial Internships 🌱✍️ 🧪

✨ You’ll gain:
🌿 Behind-the-scenes publishing experience
📝 Write commentary pieces
🤝 Join our 2026 Editorial Board meeting 👩‍💻

🗓️ Deadline: 30 Sept
👉 bit.ly/jxbinterns @sebiology.bsky.social

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Reposted by North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee

Jason Williams @jasonwilliamsny.bsky.social · 16d

Please share with anyone who cares about NSF support for graduate students and take 30 seconds to sign and leave a comment.

The deadline for the 2025 Graduate Research Fellowship Program is about one month away and literally no one can apply. #NSFGRFP

jasonjwilliamsny.github.io/grfp2025/

An Open Letter to U.S. STEM Leadership on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

jasonjwilliamsny.github.io

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North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee @naascarabidopsis.bsky.social · 17d

what a cutie. I want to snuggle him (if he'd let me)

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