Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
@bleuschenkohl.bsky.social
Postdoc @ Univ. of KS | NSF PRFB | KU Center for Genomics Fellow studying Plant-Microbe Interactions 🌽🥼🧪🦠
PhD, Purdue | BS, Nebraska - Lincoln
Chahta #NativeinSTEM | Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership
⚽️ 🍪 🎲 🎨
PhD, Purdue | BS, Nebraska - Lincoln
Chahta #NativeinSTEM | Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership
⚽️ 🍪 🎲 🎨
This week...
January 23, 2026 at 10:44 PM
This week...
Are you a postdoc in plant biology? 🌾🧪
We invite you to join a community of 500+ postdoctoral researchers around the world. plantpostdocs.com/join-us/
We invite you to join a community of 500+ postdoctoral researchers around the world. plantpostdocs.com/join-us/
New Year Greetings from the PlantPostdocs team to our fam🍀
This new year, join the club or refer us to your colleagues 🌱
To know more about what we do, scan the QR code or log onto plantpostdocs.com
This new year, join the club or refer us to your colleagues 🌱
To know more about what we do, scan the QR code or log onto plantpostdocs.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Are you a postdoc in plant biology? 🌾🧪
We invite you to join a community of 500+ postdoctoral researchers around the world. plantpostdocs.com/join-us/
We invite you to join a community of 500+ postdoctoral researchers around the world. plantpostdocs.com/join-us/
Reposted by Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
Just spoke to The Hill about how the dismantling of the NIH is impacting science in America. We still face a cliff of unfathomable heights, w easily 1000+ labs poised to close in the next year due to funding ending. A generation of young scientists lost because there is nowhere for them to train.
January 20, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Just spoke to The Hill about how the dismantling of the NIH is impacting science in America. We still face a cliff of unfathomable heights, w easily 1000+ labs poised to close in the next year due to funding ending. A generation of young scientists lost because there is nowhere for them to train.
Reposted by Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
This new #OpenAccess commentary by Hu et al. examines the many roles of signaling peptides in #plant #growth, #development and #environmental adaptation, and explores their potential application in #crop breeding strategies.
doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantScience
doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantScience
Engineered peptides bolster plant plasticity
This commentary examines signaling peptides, which function in plant growth, development, and environmental adaptation, making them promising tools for crop improvement. Their gene-encoded nature and...
doi.org
January 12, 2026 at 9:32 PM
This new #OpenAccess commentary by Hu et al. examines the many roles of signaling peptides in #plant #growth, #development and #environmental adaptation, and explores their potential application in #crop breeding strategies.
doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantScience
doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantScience
Reposted by Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
New Year Greetings from the PlantPostdocs team to our fam🍀
This new year, join the club or refer us to your colleagues 🌱
To know more about what we do, scan the QR code or log onto plantpostdocs.com
This new year, join the club or refer us to your colleagues 🌱
To know more about what we do, scan the QR code or log onto plantpostdocs.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:41 PM
New Year Greetings from the PlantPostdocs team to our fam🍀
This new year, join the club or refer us to your colleagues 🌱
To know more about what we do, scan the QR code or log onto plantpostdocs.com
This new year, join the club or refer us to your colleagues 🌱
To know more about what we do, scan the QR code or log onto plantpostdocs.com
A space for connection, support, and growth for plant science postdocs.
Join the www.plantpostdocs.com community! 🌾🧪
Join the www.plantpostdocs.com community! 🌾🧪
January 12, 2026 at 4:19 PM
A space for connection, support, and growth for plant science postdocs.
Join the www.plantpostdocs.com community! 🌾🧪
Join the www.plantpostdocs.com community! 🌾🧪
Reposted by Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
As a member of the Leadership Team, I’m proud to share what makes the #PlantPostdoc Slack special. 🌿 It’s a vibrant community for postdocs in plant-related fields. A safe space to review materials, share opportunities, and support each other as we navigate our paths in academia and industry.
December 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
As a member of the Leadership Team, I’m proud to share what makes the #PlantPostdoc Slack special. 🌿 It’s a vibrant community for postdocs in plant-related fields. A safe space to review materials, share opportunities, and support each other as we navigate our paths in academia and industry.
Nittak Hullo Chito Na Yukpa (Merry Christmas) and Happy Holidays to all!
May 2026 bring more laughter, community, and peace. 🎄 🎁 ❄️ 🕯
May 2026 bring more laughter, community, and peace. 🎄 🎁 ❄️ 🕯
December 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Nittak Hullo Chito Na Yukpa (Merry Christmas) and Happy Holidays to all!
May 2026 bring more laughter, community, and peace. 🎄 🎁 ❄️ 🕯
May 2026 bring more laughter, community, and peace. 🎄 🎁 ❄️ 🕯
As a member of the Leadership Team, I’m proud to share what makes the #PlantPostdoc Slack special. 🌿 It’s a vibrant community for postdocs in plant-related fields. A safe space to review materials, share opportunities, and support each other as we navigate our paths in academia and industry.
December 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
As a member of the Leadership Team, I’m proud to share what makes the #PlantPostdoc Slack special. 🌿 It’s a vibrant community for postdocs in plant-related fields. A safe space to review materials, share opportunities, and support each other as we navigate our paths in academia and industry.
Shameless plug for my #beadwork if you are looking to support small businesses this holiday season!
shawishmarket.com/vendor/beads...
shawishmarket.com/vendor/beads...
Handmade, brick-stitch earrings.
Beads by BLK
shawishmarket.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Shameless plug for my #beadwork if you are looking to support small businesses this holiday season!
shawishmarket.com/vendor/beads...
shawishmarket.com/vendor/beads...
Okay, which #WorldCup2026 group/match-up are you excited to see?
I'm eyeing group K, Colombia vs Portugal 👀
I'm eyeing group K, Colombia vs Portugal 👀
December 5, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Okay, which #WorldCup2026 group/match-up are you excited to see?
I'm eyeing group K, Colombia vs Portugal 👀
I'm eyeing group K, Colombia vs Portugal 👀
Happy #NativeNovember!
This year feels especially meaningful as I’m graduating with my #PhD. Indigenous people are still here: thriving, dreaming, and making those dreams a reality. This month, we honor resilience, heritage, and determination. #IndigenousinSTEM
This year feels especially meaningful as I’m graduating with my #PhD. Indigenous people are still here: thriving, dreaming, and making those dreams a reality. This month, we honor resilience, heritage, and determination. #IndigenousinSTEM
November 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Happy #NativeNovember!
This year feels especially meaningful as I’m graduating with my #PhD. Indigenous people are still here: thriving, dreaming, and making those dreams a reality. This month, we honor resilience, heritage, and determination. #IndigenousinSTEM
This year feels especially meaningful as I’m graduating with my #PhD. Indigenous people are still here: thriving, dreaming, and making those dreams a reality. This month, we honor resilience, heritage, and determination. #IndigenousinSTEM
It’s that time of year! 🌟
If you (or someone you know) is applying to MS/PhD programs, check out our Gateways to Graduate School resource page. We cover everything from writing personal statements to crafting strong proposals. 🪴🌾🧪
#GradSchool #PhD #MSprogram #GradSchoolApps #GatewaystoGradSchool
If you (or someone you know) is applying to MS/PhD programs, check out our Gateways to Graduate School resource page. We cover everything from writing personal statements to crafting strong proposals. 🪴🌾🧪
#GradSchool #PhD #MSprogram #GradSchoolApps #GatewaystoGradSchool
Gateways to Graduate School
Gateways to Graduate School
sites.google.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
It’s that time of year! 🌟
If you (or someone you know) is applying to MS/PhD programs, check out our Gateways to Graduate School resource page. We cover everything from writing personal statements to crafting strong proposals. 🪴🌾🧪
#GradSchool #PhD #MSprogram #GradSchoolApps #GatewaystoGradSchool
If you (or someone you know) is applying to MS/PhD programs, check out our Gateways to Graduate School resource page. We cover everything from writing personal statements to crafting strong proposals. 🪴🌾🧪
#GradSchool #PhD #MSprogram #GradSchoolApps #GatewaystoGradSchool
We’ve been gradually updating the Gateways to Graduate School website as we enter the peak of the application season. As undergraduates prepare to apply for MS and PhD programs, do you have any tips, tricks, or advice you’d like to share with them?
#GradSchool #PhDAdmissions #graduateschool
#GradSchool #PhDAdmissions #graduateschool
Gateways to Graduate School
Gateways to Graduate School
sites.google.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
We’ve been gradually updating the Gateways to Graduate School website as we enter the peak of the application season. As undergraduates prepare to apply for MS and PhD programs, do you have any tips, tricks, or advice you’d like to share with them?
#GradSchool #PhDAdmissions #graduateschool
#GradSchool #PhDAdmissions #graduateschool
Reposted by Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
Join us Dec 8 for "Catching the Scent." Discover how Ralstonia bacteria transition from soil to plant xylem and the surprising role of a newly identified sensor-regulator protein.
FREE for members. Only $49 for nonmembers.
https://bit.ly/3WqLF2p
#plantpathology #plantscience
FREE for members. Only $49 for nonmembers.
https://bit.ly/3WqLF2p
#plantpathology #plantscience
November 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Join us Dec 8 for "Catching the Scent." Discover how Ralstonia bacteria transition from soil to plant xylem and the surprising role of a newly identified sensor-regulator protein.
FREE for members. Only $49 for nonmembers.
https://bit.ly/3WqLF2p
#plantpathology #plantscience
FREE for members. Only $49 for nonmembers.
https://bit.ly/3WqLF2p
#plantpathology #plantscience
Today, I officially started my new position at @ The University of Kansas as a KU Center for Genomics Fellow and NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology. I'm excited to be joining the lab of Dr. Maggie Wagner 🌱 🌽 #PlantSci #PlantScience
November 4, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Today, I officially started my new position at @ The University of Kansas as a KU Center for Genomics Fellow and NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biology. I'm excited to be joining the lab of Dr. Maggie Wagner 🌱 🌽 #PlantSci #PlantScience
I did it! Officially a #PhD!
Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation "Dissecting Plant-Microbe Interactions: PAMP Recognition and Immune Evasion in Solanaceous Hosts"
Special thanks to my advisor Dr. Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi, my committee, mentors/mentees, friends, & family who were there.
Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation "Dissecting Plant-Microbe Interactions: PAMP Recognition and Immune Evasion in Solanaceous Hosts"
Special thanks to my advisor Dr. Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi, my committee, mentors/mentees, friends, & family who were there.
October 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I did it! Officially a #PhD!
Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation "Dissecting Plant-Microbe Interactions: PAMP Recognition and Immune Evasion in Solanaceous Hosts"
Special thanks to my advisor Dr. Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi, my committee, mentors/mentees, friends, & family who were there.
Yesterday, I successfully defended my dissertation "Dissecting Plant-Microbe Interactions: PAMP Recognition and Immune Evasion in Solanaceous Hosts"
Special thanks to my advisor Dr. Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi, my committee, mentors/mentees, friends, & family who were there.
This is a really unfortunate time to have the keys falling off of my keyboard 😂 I guess that's how you know it's time to graduate.
September 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
This is a really unfortunate time to have the keys falling off of my keyboard 😂 I guess that's how you know it's time to graduate.
The NSF-GRFP Solicitation (finally) went live today!
Unfortunately, second-year PhD students are unable to apply. This decision will have direct impacts on graduate students who choose rotational PhD programs. 🧪🌱
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Unfortunately, second-year PhD students are unable to apply. This decision will have direct impacts on graduate students who choose rotational PhD programs. 🧪🌱
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
www.nsf.gov
September 27, 2025 at 12:06 AM
The NSF-GRFP Solicitation (finally) went live today!
Unfortunately, second-year PhD students are unable to apply. This decision will have direct impacts on graduate students who choose rotational PhD programs. 🧪🌱
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Unfortunately, second-year PhD students are unable to apply. This decision will have direct impacts on graduate students who choose rotational PhD programs. 🧪🌱
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Reposted by Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
Gram-positive bacterial MAMP sensed by a plant cysteine rich receptor kinase. I've been waiting for this preprint to drop. Nice story!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases mediate Wall Teichoic Acid perception in Arabidopsis
Plants and animals detect microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) to initiate defense responses. Both lineages employ pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), yet plant mechanisms for sensing Gram-...
www.biorxiv.org
September 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Gram-positive bacterial MAMP sensed by a plant cysteine rich receptor kinase. I've been waiting for this preprint to drop. Nice story!
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Friends and Family - If you're interested in attending my dissertation seminar via Zoom (Oct 8th), please comment below and I will send you the information!
September 18, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Friends and Family - If you're interested in attending my dissertation seminar via Zoom (Oct 8th), please comment below and I will send you the information!
Not a lot of time to bead lately, but look at these customs I made for a Purdue fan!
shawishmarket.com/Collegiate-E...
#beadwork #choctaw ##brickstitich #IndigenousArt
shawishmarket.com/Collegiate-E...
#beadwork #choctaw ##brickstitich #IndigenousArt
September 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Not a lot of time to bead lately, but look at these customs I made for a Purdue fan!
shawishmarket.com/Collegiate-E...
#beadwork #choctaw ##brickstitich #IndigenousArt
shawishmarket.com/Collegiate-E...
#beadwork #choctaw ##brickstitich #IndigenousArt
Reposted by Rebecca (BeKa) Leuschen-Kohl
Applications for the 2026 Pivot to Plants Fellows Program at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are now open.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
Dates: Jan. 5, 2026 – Dec. 23, 2026
Estimated Stipend: $37,275
Learn more: www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/edu...
Location: St. Louis, MO
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
Dates: Jan. 5, 2026 – Dec. 23, 2026
Estimated Stipend: $37,275
Learn more: www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/edu...
Pivot to Plants: Training Program for Plant and Data Science | Danforth Plant Science Center
The Pivot2Plants Fellows Program is a 1-year training program for people interested in pivoting to a career in plant science or data science but have limited research experience.
www.danforthcenter.org
September 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Applications for the 2026 Pivot to Plants Fellows Program at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center are now open.
Location: St. Louis, MO
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
Dates: Jan. 5, 2026 – Dec. 23, 2026
Estimated Stipend: $37,275
Learn more: www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/edu...
Location: St. Louis, MO
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
Dates: Jan. 5, 2026 – Dec. 23, 2026
Estimated Stipend: $37,275
Learn more: www.danforthcenter.org/our-work/edu...