We are pleased to announce the PLANTS program funded by the National Science Foundation and Botanical Society of America to bring talented and diverse undergraduates to the BOTANY 2020 meeting on July 18-22, 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Congratulations to the 2019 awardees!

The PLANTS program (Preparing Leaders and Nurturing Tomorrow’s Scientists: Increasing the diversity of plant scientists) will fund up to 12 undergraduates from throughout the US and Puerto Rico (we are unable to accept applications from international students) to attend the meeting, receive mentoring from graduate students, postdocs and faculty, and participate in networking events including the Diversity Luncheon and career-oriented activities. The program covers the normal costs of travel, registration, and food and accommodation at the meeting. Participants are required to attend the entire meeting, including at least 3 scientific talks per day with a mentor, as well as certain professional development and networking activities. An overview of the scientific conference will be available January 1 at: botanyconference.org

APPLICATIONS:   Application includes 1) completion of the online form, 2) uploading your statement of interest, 3) a letter of recommendation, and 4) unofficial transcripts. Applications are welcome from all undergraduates from the US and Puerto Rico (we are unable to accept applications from international students) who have interest in plant science; the admissions goal is to create a diverse pool of students.

The application is made through our online application portal.  You do not need to be a current BSA member to apply. However, if you do not have a BSA login, you will need to create one here.  We encourage you to review the online form thoroughly before filling it out. You will need to upload a personal statement.

Personal Statement of academic interests and career goals. (500 word limit)  Please write an essay discussing EACH of the following: A) your academic interests and career goals including your interest in pursuing post-graduate education and/or a career in the plant sciences, B) what you would contribute to the diversity of the students attending the BOTANY 2020 meeting  C) how you think attending the BOTANY 2020 conference might help you meet your career goals, D) your plans after graduation, and E) if you have attended any scientific meetings or participated in research experience, what did you do and what did you learn from these experiences?

Please send a copy of your Transcript via email and if you can rename the file, please rename it LastNameFirstInitial-T (unofficial transcript is acceptable)
An example of an acceptable file name is: CacanindinH-T
Email transcripts to Amelia Neely  aneely@botany.org

Letter of support- Your letter of support should come directly from a person (faculty member) who knows you well and the letter should address your academic accomplishments and career goals as well as your contribution to the diversity of our student group at the BOTANY 2020 conference. Please let your letter writer know that the letter of support should be emailed from your letter writer to Amelia Neely: aneely@botany.org Your letter of support should have a filename of YourLastNameFirstInitial-L as in CacanindinH-L

DEADLINE: March 30, 2020

MENTORS: In addition, we are soliciting names of graduate students, postdocs and faculty members who would like to serve as mentors during the meeting. Mentors work with PLANTS students and attend talks with them, introduce them to colleagues, network and generally make the meetings a welcoming place for them. Although costs are not covered for mentors, it is a very rewarding experience to mentor this group of students. Contact Anna Monfils (anna.monfils@cmich.edu) if you are interested in serving as a mentor.

CONTACTS: For further inquiries, please contact:
Heather Cacanindin -- hcacanindin@botany.org

Botany conference topics range across all levels of botany and include talks on conservation, biodiversity, plant genomics, evolution, plant systematics, and botanical education. There are also a number of social functions, specifically targeted at students for networking and fun. The meetings are a great way to understand the breadth of botanical research and education, to meet undergraduate and graduate students with similar interests, and to network with professionals in your area of interest. This is really a friendly community, so please consider joining us!

Please visit botany.org/diversity

Please visit botany.org/diversity

2019 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2019 in Tucson, Arizona

Austin Betancourt, San Jose State University, Advisor: Benjamin Carter

Charles Bush, Oglala Lakota College, Advisor: Madhav Nepal

Talbrett Caramillo, Fort Lewis College, Advisor: Ross McCauley

Jovan Coleman, Mesa Community College, Advisor: Sean Whitcomb

C.J. Copper, College of the Redwoods, Advisor: Maria Friedman

Lisa Danback, Webster University, Advisor: Nicole Miller-Struttman

Marco Donoso, University of Central Oklahoma, Advisor: Chad King

Candy DuBray, Oglala Lakota College, Advisor: Madhav Nepal

Ana Flores, Florida International University, Advisor: Jennifer Richards

Mari Irving, University of Central Florida, Advisor: Chase Mason

Chazz Jordan, Georgia State University, Advisor: Lauren Eserman

Matthew McCarthy, Citris College, Advisor: Marianne Smith

Cristina Raya, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Advisor: Rupesh Kariyat

Marcus Reid, Phoenix College, Advisor: Matt Haberkom

Rachael Snodgrass, Gonzaga University, Advisor: Stephen Hayes

Tatyana Soto, Mills College, Advisor: Sarah Swope

Emily Swindell, Fort Lewis College, Advisor: Ross McCauley

Dannielle Waugh, University of Central Florida, Advisor: Chase Mason

Danielle Weaver, CSU-Fullerton, Advisor: Joshua Der

2018 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2018 in Rochester, Minnesota

Liliana Benitez, New College of Florida, Advisor: Dr. Emily Saarinen

John Christman III, Christopher Newport University, Advisor: Dr. Janet Steven

Inesha Ellis, Widener University, Advisor: Dr. Katherine Goodrich

David Flanery, South Dakota State University, Advisor: Dr. Maribeth Latvis

Andrew Gonzalez, California State University - Sacramento, Advisor: Dr. Thomas Peavy

Alexis Kantor, University of Colorado-Boulder, Advisor: Dr. Stacey Smith

Carina Motta, University of California-Santa Barbara, Advisor: Dr. Susan Mazar

Simone Oliphant, Florida International University, Advisor: Dr. Suzanne Koptur

Asa Peters, Connecticut College, Advisor: Dr. Chad Jones

Megan Rasmussen, SUNY-Farmingdale, Advisor: Dr. Eric Morgan

Keana Tang, California State University - Long Beach, Advisor: Dr. Amanda Fisher

Nicole Tineo, The College of New Jersey, Advisor: Dr. Wendy Clement

Matthew Treanor, Plymouth State University, Advisor: Dr. Diana Jolles

Delecia Utley, Howard University, Advisor: Dr. Janelle Burke

2017 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2017 in Fort Worth, Texas

Kefren Arjona, University of Florida, Advisor: Dr. Doug Soltis

Laymon Ball, Long Beach State University, Advisor: Dr. Amanda Fisher

Nana Britwum, Cornell University, Advisor: Dr. Rena Borkhataria

Michelle Gray, University of Maryland College Park, Advisor: Dr. Maile Neele

Monique Harvey, Howard University, Advisor: Dr. Janelle Burke

Rebecca Hayes, University of Pittsburgh, Advisor: Dr. Tia-Lynn Ashman

Lillian Hendrick, Central Michigan State University, Advisor: Dr. Anna Monfils

Glen Morrison, California State Polytechnic University, Advisor: Dr. Amy Litt

Jocelyn Navarro, Connecticut College, Advisor: Dr. Kristine Hardeman

ShaunAnn Peters, Central Michigan State University, Advisor: Dr. Anna Monfils

Kasey Pham, Michigan State University, Advisor: Dr. Alan Prather

Melissa Vergara, University of California-Santa Cruz, Advisor: Dr. Kathleen Kay

Sienna Wessel, Northern State University, Advisor: Dr. Jodie Ramsay

2016 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2016 in Savannah, Georgia

Timothy Batz, California State Polytechnic University, Advisor: Dr. Bharti Sharma

Janet Mansaray, Howard University, Advisor: Dr. Janelle Burke

Corey Milligan, Harris-Stowe State University, Advisor: Dr. Thomas Brown

Brooke Palmer, Colorado State University, Advisor: Dr. Stacey Smith

Vivianna Sanchez, Mount St. Mary's University, Advisor: Dr. Adriane Jones

Jaime Schwoch, Portland State University, Advisor: Dr. Mitch Cruzan

Evelyn Valdez-Rangel, University of Houston-Downtown, Advisor: Dr. Michael Tobin

Rebecca Valls, Florida International University, Advisor: Dr. Eric von Wettberg

Nathan Vega, California State University-Fullerton, Advisor: Dr. Joshua Der

Monica Warner, California State University - Dominguez Hills, Advisor: Dr. Kathryn Thiess

Shan Wong, Florida International University, Advisor: Dr. Hong Liu

2015 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2015 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Alicia Butko, Widener University, Advisor: Dr. Kate Goodrich

Emma Fryer, Humboldt State University, Advisors: Drs. Michael Mesler and Alexandru Tomescu

Patrick Gallagher, The College of New Jersey, Advisor: Dr. Wendy Clement

Jose Miguel Hernandez Ochoa, University of Wisconsin, Advisor: Dr. Juan Zalapa

Angelina Viviana Martinez, University of Florida, Advisors: Drs. Christine Davis and Pamela Soltis

Jesus Medina, California State University - Los Angeles, Advisor: Dr. Craig Barrett

Madeline Metten, University of Northern Colorado, Advisor: Dr. Mitchel McGlaughlin

Andre Naranjo, University of Miami, Advisor: Dr. Barbara Whitlock

Chelsea Pretz, Harris-Stowe State University, Advisors: Drs. John MacDougal and Allison Miller

Mercedes Santiago, Kansas State University, Advisor: Dr. Carolyn Ferguson

Maryan Sedaghatpour, George Mason University, Advisors: Drs. Jorid van der Ham and Andrea Weeks

Gary Sur, University of Hawaii - Hilo, Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Stacy

Imena Valdes, Florida International University, Advisor: Dr. Suzanne Koptur

Joshua Wiese, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Advisor: Dr. Bryan Drew

2014 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2014 in Boise, Idaho

Marilyn Creer, Alabama A&M University, Advisor: Dr. Tatiana Kukhtareva

Gemma Dugan, Bucknell University, Advisor: : Dr. Chris Martine

Shawna Faulkner, Humboldt University, Advisor: : Dr. Alexandru Tomescu

Michelle Garcia, University of Texas-El Paso, Advisor: Dr. Michael Moody

Aidee Guzman, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Advisor: Dr. Eve Emshwiller

Timothy Hieger, University of Kansas, Advisor: Dr. Thomas N. Taylor

Shayla Hobbs, University of Illinois, Advisor: Dr. Tina M. Knox

Michelle Jackson, Smith College, Advisor: Dr. Jesse Bellemare

Claudia Christine Marin, University of Califormia Riverside, Advisor: Dr. Milton McGiffen

Sean Pena, Florida International University, Advisor: Dr. Suzanne Koptur

David Pozo Garces, Central Michigan State University, Advisor: Dr. Anna Monfils

Yisu Santamarina, Florida International University, Advisor: Dr. Bradley Bennett

Samuel Torpey, University of Idaho, Advisor: Dr. David Tank

2013 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Richard Shawn Abrahams, University of Florida, Advisor: Dr. Stuart McDaniel

Dayvis Blasini, Northern Illinois University, Advisor: Dr. Pamela Geddes

Laquita Bolden, Cleveland State University, Advisor: Dr. Modney

Bianca Bonilla, Florida International University, Advisor: Dr. Bradley Bennett

Joyce Chery, Cornell University, Advisor: Dr. Melissa Luckow

Jessel Gutierrez, Texas A&M International University, Advisor: University, Dr. Jim Cohen

Elizabeth McWilliams, Oregon State University, Advisor: Dr. Richard Halse

Livingstone Nganga, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Advisor: Bethany K. Zolman

Angelica Nunez, University of California-Riverside, Advisor: Dr. Louis Santiago

Crista O'Conner, University of Idaho, Advisor: Dr. David Tank

Anthony Parson, Humboldt State University, Advisor: Dr. Jacquelyn Bolman

Hevony Rodriguez, Texas A&M International University, Advisor: Dr. Jim Cohen

Angel Rogers, Howard University, Advisor: Dr. Hemayut Ullah

De Ana Smalls, Howard University, Advisor: Dr. Hemayut Ullah

David Sycle II, Central Michigan University, Advisor: Dr. Brad Swanson

2012 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2012 in Columbus, Ohio

Dominique Alvis, University of Maryland-Baltimore - Advisor, Dr. Mauricio Bustos

Haydee Borrero, Florida International University - Advisor, Dr. Suzanne Koptur

Maria Friedman, Humboldt State University - Advisor, Dr. Erik Jules

Erin Fujimoto, University of Hawaii at Manoa - Advisor, Dr. Tom Ranker

Victoria Hanna, University of California-Irvine - Advisor, Dr. Kailen Mooney

Sean Gershaneck, University of Hawai'i at Manoa - Advisor, Dr. Pattie Dunn

Lauren Gonzalez, University of New Orleans - Advisor, Dr. Charles Bell

Alexandria Igwe, Howard University - Advisor, Dr. Mary McKenna

Caprice Lee, University of California-Davis, Dr. Sharman O'Neill

Jamie Minnaert-Grote, George Mason University - Advisor, Dr. Andrea Weeks

Rylan Sprague, Black Hills State University - Advisor, Dr. Benjamin van Ee

Brittany Stallworth, Howard University - Advisor, Dr. Mary McKenna

Dori Thompson, Texas State University - San Marcos - Advisor, Dr. Garland Upchurch

2011 BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients

2011 in St. Louis, Missouri

Brian Atkinson, Ohio University, Advisor: Dr. Gar Rothwell

Betsabe Castro, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras

James McDaniel, Lynchburg College, Advisor: Dr. Nancy Cowden

Irma Ortiz, UCLA, Advisor: Dr. Ann Hirsch

Amber Paasch, California State University, LA  

Barbara Putnam, Delta State University, Advisor: Dr. Nina Baghai-Riding

Jon Richey, Texas State University, San Marcos, Advisor: Dr. Gary Upchurch

Katherine Toll, University of Miami

Clayton Visger, California State University - Sacramento

Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB)

Prior to the PLANTs Program, the BSA provided support to under-represented students via the Undergaduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB) Program. Here are the recipients of this NSF funded program.

2009 BSA UMEB Grant Recipients

Cassandra L Coleman

2008 BSA UMEB Grant Recipients

Antionette Gray

Laura Super

Iman Sylvain

2007 BSA UMEB Grant Recipients

Stanita Jackson

Adel Pena

Chevon Marsh

Rita Richardson

2006 BSA UMEB Grant Recipients

Gustavo Armaiz

Kristen E Baird

Andrew J Blackwell

Stephanie Day

Lisa Hoang

Michelle Hulett

Harry Lopez Rosado

Elizabeth Ortiz Huerta

Jose Pena

2005 BSA UMEB Grant Recipients

Derrick Fowler

Angel Jurado

Chris Lane

Daniel Stanton

C. Pascale Williams

2004 BSA UMEB Grant Recipients

Vanessa Forbes

Patrick J Hudson

Dennis Hildalgo

Talline Robadey

Eillen J Rodriquez

Chamary Vergara

2003 BSA UMEB Grant Recipients

Veder Garcia

Renee Lopez-Smith

Dawn Morningstar

Karla Paiz

Karla Cortez