 | FRONT AND CENTER PLANT SCIENCE |
Our Team |
| Román Ramos Báez @sensitiveroots Director of Front and Center I am a postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago. I have been actively involved in drag shows for years, and also love to cook and sew. For years, I accepted that I would always feel isolated in my identities within plant science. Connecting with others in my community as well as Black and Indigenous scientists as a graduate student helped me understand how much of a toll this can have on our wellbeing and success in science. I decided to join in on being the director of Front and Center Plant Science in hopes to continue this mission that celebrates our existences and helps us to connect. |
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| Kevin Cox Jr. @K_Bioguy_Cox Director of Adventitious Roots I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. My science involves using single-cell and spatial biology technologies to study how do plant cells use genes to communicate with each other to defend against pathogens. Outside of science, I enjoy watching/playing sports, seeing movies, playing video games, and spending time with my family! I love my career as a scientist. Unfortunately, I realized that as a Black American I must withstand forces that would prevent me from obtaining advanced degrees and answering pressing questions in plant biology. That is why I actively participate in efforts to break these barriers and help underrepresented minorities succeed in science. As Director of the Adventitious Roots Discord Server, my goal is to provide a private community for Black, Indigenous, and Latine Plant Scientists for them to connect and support each other, as well as to provide resources for career/professional development. |
Dior Kelley Assistant Professor Iowa State NAASC co-chair |
| Cris Argueso Associate Professor Colorado State University ISP NAASC |
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 | Danielle Ignace Assistant Professor The University of British Columbia ASPB EDIC |
| Brianna Griffin Graduate Student Iowa State University ASPB ECR / EDIC |
Sarah Black VP for Content and Communication ASPB Plantae |
| Jayson Padilla Community Engagement Administator ASPB |  |
This initiative was founded through the collaborative efforts of the North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee (NAASC) and the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB); ASPB is providing ongoing support for Front and Center. |
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Our goals are for Black, Indigenous, & Latine Plant Scientists to be seen, heard, belong, and have agency within the plant science community.