Professor Richard Criley, University of Hawaii:

This summer the OPGC welcomed Professor Richard Criley (Picture) for a sabbatical leave through December 2002. During his stay, Dr Criley participated in the OPGC germplasm preservation program and assisted OPGC Director David Tay in the planning of the 2003 National Floriculture Forum.


Ms. Nadilia Gomez, University of Minnesota:

The OPGC also welcomed Ms. Nadilia Gomez (Picture), a graduate student of Dr. Neil Anderson from the University of Minnesota for a 2-week study program. Nadilia pursued seed germination studies with Gaura, an American native plant with great ornamental potential.


Chinese Visitors:

On August 28, 2002 the OPGC hosted Professor Li Yuhua, Director, Research Instiute of Flower Biotechnology and Professor Shen Hailong, Faculty of Forest Resources and Environment of Northeast Forestry University. Accompanying the Chinese visitors was Mr. Brian Decker, President if Decker's Nursery, Groveport, Ohio.


Staff Travels:

The OPGC Director David Tay attended the AABGA Annual Conference in Hamilton, Ontario, August 7-11 and made a presentation - 'OPGC & North American Plant Collections Consortium'. Also, he attended the International Horticultural Congress in Toronto, Ontario, August 11-17 and presented a paper on 'Herbaceous ornamental plant genebank: Its roles in the floriculture industry'.

The OPGC Curator Susan Stieve participated in the Eastern Apicultural Society Annual Workshop, August 4-9, on bee managment to facilitate an OPGC program in seed multiplication and the International Horticultural Congress in Toronto, Ontario.