-Magdalen Lindeberg

Developing plant-based meat alternatives? Interested in breeding economically sustainable and environmentally beneficial new crop species? Want to grow plants on Mars? Plant breeders have the power to address these questions and more, as highlighted by speakers at the 8th Annual Cornell University Graduate Student Plant Breeding Symposium, held on Friday April 12. Over 75 attendees gathered to hear and engage with six invited speakers. Several of these talks can be viewed on the the symposium playlist.

• Feeding Martians – Space Exploration in Plant Biology
  Anna-Lisa Paul, University of Florida
• From grey area to gold rush: Establishing a long-term breeding program for hemp
  Larry Smart, Cornell Agritech
• Plant-based meat and plant proteins: engineering challenges and product design
  Allison Berke, Good Food Institute
• Breeding common plants for uncommon goals: perennializing our grain crops and diversifying our cropping systems
  Brandon Schlautman, the Land Institute
• Culinary Breeding Network: Building community among breeders, farmers, chefs, retailers, and eaters to create better varieties
  Lane Selman, Good Foods Institute
• Improving soybean seed composition through metabolic engineering and genome editing
  Bobby Williams, Corteva Agriscience

The annual symposium is organized by Synapsis, the academic and social organization of the SIPS Section of Plant Breeding and Genetics. Corteva Agriscience (formerly DuPont Pioneer) sponsors symposia at universities around the world to “enhance discussion amongst the academic community and private industry; build key organizational and management skills in future plant scientists; and expose students to career opportunities in agriculture.” Read more about the mission and locations of symposia.

Read more about Synapsis and past Symposia