PhD student, Andika Gunadi was named an American Society of Plant Biologists - Conviron Scholar. Andika is one of 21 students selected for this honor. From the ASPB website, the ASPB Conviron Scholars program delivers an experience intended to serve as a foundation for a career in plant science.
In his own words...
I came from Indonesia, and I'm currently a PhD student at the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, advised by Dr. John J. Finer. I'm a part of the OSU Plant Transformation Laboratory at the Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster, OH, where I've worked on projects ranging from developing new methods for studying plant-insect interactions, plant promoter characterizations, and more recently, on applying and improving new targeted gene modification techniques in legumes. My career goal is to advance global agriculture through refining genome editing tools. I'm grateful for the world-class mentors and educational opportunities that are provided by Department of Horticulture and Crop Science.
I'm also grateful of the interdisciplinary agricultural research environment that OSU provides. I previously earned my MS from Department of Plant Pathology, and collaborated with researchers from Department of Entomology. These opportunities truly allowed me to be well-equipped for tackling current and future challenges in agriculture.
More on Andika's ASPB-Conviron Scholar award can be found on the ASPB website.
Check out the Ohio Plant Transformation lab website here.
The ASPB-Conviron Scholar program includes:
- 1-year membership in ASPB, the professional society for plant biologists. This gives you online access to The Plant Cell, Plant Physiology, and Teaching Tools in Plant Biology, among many other things
- Free registration to one ASPB regional section meeting
- Discounted registration to the Plant Biology Annual Meeting
- Individual Virtual mentoring/resume review session with an established plant science professional
- Private online group network for ongoing discussions and Q&A
- Opportunities for exposure to plant biologists who have taken different career tracks, including university research, industry, conservation and plant protection, agronomy, publications, policy, education, and outreach, etc.
- A hands-on virtual learning program that includes career seminars, round-table discussions, and workshops that help develop skills for success. Topics could include:
- Career Planning for Plant Scientists
- Developing your online persona: Channels, Tools, Approach
- Writing skills
- Ask me anything with Plant Scientists with different career paths: Industry, Consultants, Communications, etc.
- Ask me anything with ASPB President, President-elect, or immediate Past President
- Round-table Discussions: Topics decided by the group
- Publishing workshops
- Opportunity to submit an article to the ASPB blog for editorial feedback and support, with the possibility of publication
- Opportunity to present a poster at the Plant Biology meeting
- A copy of the book Career Planning for Research Bioscientists
The scholar program is open to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. Learn more about the ASPB - Conviron Scholar's program here.