Elected NAASC Early Career Scholar candidate statements, reverse order

Vincent E. Cerbantez Bueno, Postdoc, University of California, Riverside, USA (2024-2025)

My passion for plant research took root during my undergraduate studies in biology, where I first explored a variety of model organisms, including agave, tomato, and achiote. However, I found myself continually drawn to Arabidopsis research, captivated by its significance in the study of plant development. This interest led me to specialize in Arabidopsis during my master’s and Ph.D. studies, where I focused on the genetic and hormonal factors involved in early fruit development, under the guidance of Dr. Stefan de Folter at Cinvestav, Mexico. Through our research, I utilized diverse methodologies to explore how cytokinin regulates the development of the gynoecium and its tissues. This experience deepened my appreciation for the unique contributions of Arabidopsis to the broader understanding of plant biology and reinforced my belief in the value of sharing this knowledge to advance the field.

Throughout my academic journey, I have engaged with the Arabidopsis community at conferences across Mexico and the U.S., where I have felt a strong sense of belonging and collaboration. I am also committed to outreach, using social media to share educational content about Arabidopsis research and its broader implications for plant studies. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Venugopala Reddy’s laboratory at the University of California, Riverside. My work here delves into the dynamics of Shoot Apical Meristem development at genetic, molecular, and biochemical levels in Arabidopsis. Additionally, I serve as the social chair on the Riverside Postdoctoral Association (RPA) board, where I help create opportunities for professional and personal growth among postdocs and graduate students. I believe that serving the community is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of the world around us, which in turn enriches my research in the lab.

As a Mexican researcher who is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have navigated a variety of academic and sociopolitical challenges, driven by my commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the field. It is one of my long-held beliefs that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) is the lifeblood of our discipline, allowing us to cultivate a multifaceted community of leading experts and innovative researchers whose voices are valued and heard. I strive to ensure that my work extends beyond the laboratory, breaking down barriers and cultivating a greater appreciation for the science of plant development.

Catherine Freed, Postdoc, University of Wisconsin- Madison, USA (2024-2025)

It is an honor and privilege to be nominated as a candidate for the NAASC Early Career Scholar Subcommittee. I have been a part of the Arabidopsis research community since I was an undergraduate student, and I am eager to contribute to NAASC as an Early Career Scholar. I am currently a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Biochemistry the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My research elucidates how inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs), high energy messenger molecules that are linked to hormone signaling pathways, impact plant physiology and phosphate accumulation in Arabidopsis. Understanding plant phosphate usage is increasingly important given phosphate, an irreplaceable and nonrenewable agricultural resource, poses massive ecological risks (ex: algal blooms) and significant barriers for marginalized communities and developing nations. My career goal is to leverage phosphate sensing and usage in Arabidopsis to create a more sustainable and equitable future.
Extending scientific knowledge beyond the bench and into the community is one of my top priorities as an early career scientist. As a graduate student, I served as an ASPB Conviorn Scholar (2018-19) and as a Plantae Fellow (2020-21) where I created digital content for ASPB and Plantae. I continue to serve as an ASPB Ambassador to promote the mission of creating inclusive and engaging environments for the plant science community. I have also created Phyte4Food, an illustrated outreach initiative that provides resources and videos for the general public about the phosphate crisis, climate change and other plant science topics. As a NAASC Early Career Scholar, I envision using my communication and illustration skills to create resources for NAASC to increase engagement, especially for newer members of the community. Specifically, I envision creating illustrated infographics and resources for the Arabidopsis community website that engage younger researchers about the community’s latest Arabidopsis research, tools, and discoveries.

Another value of mine is advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) through research and education. Diverse perspectives enhance intellectual inquiry, creativity, and educational experiences for students and faculty alike. This is especially important when it comes to bringing together all members of the Arabidopsis community to address challenges in Arabidopsis research and beyond. As an Early Career Scholar, I would like to continue NAASC’s mission in advancing DEIB by fostering inclusive spaces where scientists of all backgrounds and perspectives are valued and empowered. Thank you for your consideration. I hope to contribute to an increasingly collaborative and inclusive Arabidopsis research community.

Mingyuan Zhu, Postdoc, Duke University & Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA (2024-2025)

It is a great honor to be nominated again as the Early Career Scholar (ECS) candidate. I am very excited about the opportunity to continue serving as NAASC Early Career Scholar for another year. My experience with NAASC over the past year was highly rewarding, and I am enthusiastic about continuing the initiatives we began last year.

My journey with Arabidopsis began during my undergraduate studies at Tsinghua University, where I explored plant responses to nutrient starvation. Later, I joined Dr. Adrienne Roeder’s lab at Cornell University, where my focus shifted to understanding the mechanisms of organ development, specifically using Arabidopsis sepals as a model system. Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Associate in Dr. Philip Benfey’s lab at Duke University, where I am applying spatial transcriptomics to both Arabidopsis and rice roots to investigate the mechanisms that drive dynamic root growth and responses to environmental stresses. In the future, I will focus on root circumnutation, an internal growth pattern characterized by the helical movement of the root tip. My research aims to address a fundamental question: how do organisms dynamically adapt their growth in response to environmental changes?

I have substantial experience serving the scientific community. I have served on the North American Arabidopsis Steering Committee (NAASC) for the past year, where I actively contributed to organizing ICAR 2024. Additionally, I serve on the Plant Cell Rubrics committee of the Plant Cell Atlas (PCA) and am currently helping to organize a series of talks about cell types and cell states. I am also the founding leader of the Plant Method Exchange Platform (PMEX), supported by NAASC. Furthermore, I served on the local organizing committee for the 2024 New Phytologist Next Generation Scientists Conference, working closely with New Phytologist editors to bring this event to Duke. My involvement in these initiatives underscores my strong commitment to contributing to the plant research community.

I have had the privilege of collaborating with researchers around the world. My collaborators and colleagues span diverse gender identities, races, cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientations. I believe that an environment of mutual respect and inclusion is critical to the success of our research project. As a research scientist, I am committed to continuing my collaboration with NAASC, seeking to provide equal opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to ensure they have access to and can actively participate in the group’s scientific activities.

Tola Adesola Julius, pre-Postdoc/post-PhD, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (2023-2024)

I am deeply honored to be nominated as an Early Career Scholar candidate within our esteemed Arabidopsis community. It is with great enthusiasm that I share my academic journey and vision with you. I hold a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Biochemistry from the Federal University of Technology Minna (Nigeria), a Master of Science (MSc.) in Biochemistry from Prince of Songkla University (Thailand), and most recently, I earned my Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a specialization in plant stress biology and plant proteomics from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Quebec Canada in August 2023. My doctoral journey has been a profound experience, shaping my passion for Arabidopsis research. During my doctoral research and that was my first time working with Arabidopsis thaliana plant, I focused on investigating the influence of iron homeostasis on the occurrence of protein carbonylation in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. This project not only deepened my understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms governing plant responses to stress but also honed my skills in plant proteomics, protein chemistry, and biochemical assays. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of amassing extensive experience in plant stress biology, plant proteomics, and protein biochemistry. My expertise include the development of innovative methods and protocols for protein purification, extraction, fractionation, and the precise analysis of post-translational modifications, with a particular emphasis on carbonylated proteins.

As an Early Career Scholar, I am committed to fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of our field within the Arabidopsis community. I envision an inclusive environment where researchers, regardless of their career stage, can engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and inspire one another. My goal is to contribute to the community by leveraging my expertise to support innovative research initiatives and promote the dissemination of knowledge. I am excited about the potential for our community to continue pushing the boundaries of Arabidopsis research, uncovering novel insights into plant stress biology, and developing sustainable solutions to global challenges. With your support, I am eager to embark on this journey, working collaboratively to elevate our understanding of Arabidopsis thaliana and its significance in the broader context of plant biology.
I believe so much in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DREB). As a black minority, I believe everyone should be treated equally and everyone should be welcomed irrespective of who you are and where you are from. Arabidopsis ECS community should a place we feel free and where science unites us. I am a strong advocate for DREB initiatives.
Thank you for considering my candidacy, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to our shared goals and aspirations within the Arabidopsis community.

Xiaohui Li, Graduate Student, Purdue University (2023-2024)

I am a PhD candidate at the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University. Over the years, I've developed a deep commitment to the Arabidopsis research community, and I'm eager to take on the role of an Early Career Scholar with NAASC to further contribute. My journey with Arabidopsis spans nearly a decade, started from my undergraduate research in China, where I worked on brassinosteroids signaling. Now, for my doctoral research, I am studying the membrane trafficking process in Arabidopsis, advised by Drs. Chunhua Zhang and Chris Staiger.

In addition to working on the bench, I am committed to bringing our research closer to both the plant science community and the general public. It's important that our discoveries are accessible and comprehensible to a wide audience. To fulfill this mission, I took on the role of an ASPB Plantae Fellow in Oct 2022 and developed online contents for Plantae. Further, at the Plant Biology 2023 conference in Savannah, Georgia, I was part of the Conference Correspondent team, ensuring daily insights reached all interested individuals. To be an NAASC ECS member, I envision utilizing my scientific communication and leadership skills to create resources that fit the needs of the Arabidopsis community, particularly for early career members. I plan to develop webinars with the aim to demystifying academic processes for early career researchers including undergraduate students, covering topics like graduate school application process, preliminary exams, pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships, and grant application in Arabidopsis research. These webinars can help to make academic pathways clearer and more approachable. While my commitment to the Arabidopsis community is driven by my passion for research and science communication, I also hold strong beliefs about the values that should shape our community. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) remain at the core of my professional and community endeavors. I firmly believe that a diverse group not only fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, but also cultivates the next generation of scientists and helps to create a sense of belonging for everyone. Ensuring diverse voices within our research community is fundamental to inspiring and empowering the next generation of scientists. And I hope to contribute to a more innovative and inclusive environment for Arabidopsis research.

Mingyuan Zhu, Postdoc, Duke University (2023-2024)

I started working with Arabidopsis in my undergraduate training at Tsinghua University, characterizing mutants that exhibit hypersensitive to phosphate starvation. I then joined Dr. Adrienne Roeder’s laboratory, at Cornell University. There, my focus shifted to unraveling the mechanisms orchestrating organ size robustness, with Arabidopsis sepals as my model system. I am currently a Postdoc associate in Dr. Philip Benfey’s laboratory, at Duke University. I am applying spatial transcriptomic techniques to both Arabidopsis and rice roots, to unravel the mechanisms governing cell differentiation. In the future, I plan to focus on the cortex differentiation. The comparative study between Arabidopsis and rice root cortex is particularly intriguing, given the distinctive cellular landscapes—Arabidopsis with its singular cortex layer while rice roots with multiple cortex layers. Throughout my journey with Arabidopsis over the past decade, I have actively participated in plant conferences such as ICAR, FASEB, GRC, the International Plant Biomechanics Conference, and AGBT agriculture. These experiences have not only deepened my understanding of plant biology but also strengthened my sense of belonging to the Arabidopsis research community.

Driven by my passion for serving the community, I am currently a committee member for the Plant Cell Atlas (PCA) and also a member of local organizing committee for the New Phytologist Next Generation Scientists Conference. Based on my experience, I recognize the challenges faced by early-stage scientists, particularly those from smaller research groups. If admitted to the ECS subcommittees, my primary focus will be to enhance vision and support to these budding scientists. It will be a pleasure for me to contribute to creating a space where Arabidopsis community members can seek guidance for experiments and gain visibility for their research and publications. I have the privilege of working together with an incredibly diverse group of researchers. Hailing from the US, China, India, Canada, France, Japan, Poland, New Zealand, this eclectic mix encompassed individuals at various career stages, ranging from undergraduates to senior professors. Engaging with individuals of diverse backgrounds has been transformative. It heightened my awareness of the unique needs and challenges faced by individuals at different career stages and within various institutions. I am looking forward to being a conduit for researchers who are underrepresented or uncertain about where to seek support. I firmly believe that the collective responsibility of the community is to foster an environment where every member can thrive.

Luis de Luna, Postdoc, UC Riverside (2022-2023)

I started working with Arabidopsis in my undergrad training at the Institute for Biotechnology-UNAM in Mexico. I explored the participation of three MAPKs in the response of A. thaliana to glucose and ABA using classic transcriptional analysis methods. For my master’s and doctoral research, I worked to elucidate the role of several chloroplastic proteins in chloroplast development and function using proteomic analysis, and a series of genetic, cellular, and biochemical approaches. For my postdoctoral training I am still using Arabidopsis as a model to explore exciting novel signaling mechanisms between the chloroplasts and the nucleus. 

During my training I also worked as a content curator for AMAfeed.com, where I oversaw reviewing, editing and proofreading content on topics related to science. I also had a position at Pfizer, where I participated in the implementation and rollout of Pfizer’s iConnect, a tool used to spread knowledge of various human conditions to boost participation in clinical trials. 

I see Diversity as the equivalent to gene variation in Molecular Evolution, it is the raw material upon which natural selection can work. Without diversity, communities will eventually grow rigid, weak, and brittle, unable to adapt to challenges. In a sense, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is a way to describe the efforts to create spaces that are welcoming to everyone, regardless of perceived cultural, ethnical, sexual, neurological, religious, gender, or racial differences. To me, it doesn’t mean being “color-blind”, it’s not about erasing our differences, but rather to acknowledge and embrace those differences and use them to drive the evolution of strong communities with powerful individuals, where nobody is vulnerable, and everyone is treated equally and has the same opportunities to succeed. DEIB efforts are the best way we as scientists can prepare for the challenges we can’t predict. 

I am currently a postdoc at UC Riverside, a minority-serving institution with over 30% international scholars. I am a board member of the UCR Postdoc Association, and we organize career development events such as: social and networking events, writing workshops, a cross-disciplinary annual symposium, and we are working on launching a new grad student-postdoc mentoring program.  Because of my background and my status as an immigrant POC (Person of Color) postdoc in the US, several of the ECSS priorities align with the challenges I’ve faced in my academic life. As a member of the ECSS, I will focus on working with the Inclusivity Scholars Program to push forward existing or develop new intersectional DEI activities that empower young scientists in North America through mentoring programs, career development events, workshops, etc. As a Mexican scientist, I am particularly interested in identifying the barriers faced by Mexican graduates to access the academic job market at different levels across the US and Canada, and a mentoring program aimed specifically to the professional development of Mexican graduates will be one of my aims as part of the ECSS. 

Arif Ashraf, Postdoc, University of Massachusetts Amherst (2022-2023)

I am a postdoctoral research associate with Michelle Facette at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and co-founder of Plant Postdocs. My research is focused on cell polarity, nuclear movement, and asymmetric cell division. I started my scientific career as a graduate student working with polarized proteins [PIN-FORMED (PINs) and ABCGs] in Arabidopsis thaliana. I discovered the function of polarized proteins as low temperature response regulators, arsenite and cesium transporters in Arabidopsis. I continued working on cell polarity as a postdoc using both Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays. My scientific training and research were greatly benefitted from the Arabidopsis thaliana. In my future lab, I am planning to use Arabidopsis thaliana for the basic discovery and implement the knowledge into the crop plant Zea mays. My love and passion for Arabidopsis even reflect in my plant science blog (http://www.aribidopsis.com/) and twitter handle (@aribidopsis) too. Apart from my research work in the lab, I actively participate in science communication and leadership roles for the community. For science communication, I served as an ASPB ambassador (2015-2021) and Plantae fellow (2019) as part of the society and created my own plant science blog and podcast (No Time To Read) during my career.

As a NAASC ECSS member, I want to bring my science communication and leadership skills learnt over the years. For this purpose, I am willing to actively participate in organizing webinars and workshops; and contribute during the ICAR 2024 as well. Under my leadership at Plant Postdocs, we have organized 8 career development webinars, where we focused on bringing under-representative minority groups and women in STEM as panelists. I will use my webinar organizing skill sets to design workshop and webinars beneficial for ECRs; I will continue increasing the representation of historically ignored or minority groups. In this context, my past accomplishment and future commitments are deeply rooted with my own life experience and scientific journey (I grew up in a Muslim family from a small country of Southeast Asia, Bangladesh.) During my 8-year scientific career, I worked in 4 countries, 10 labs across universities/institutes, where I worked with more than 50 diverse researchers. This helped me to build a strong network with the diverse community and learn to value the experience of the scientists from various walks of life. 

Margot Smit, Postdoc, Stanford University (2022-2023)

I am a Postdoc at Stanford University where I work on plant developmental biology questions using the embryo and stomatal lineage as models for research and art. Originally, I am from the Netherlands, and I have worked at Wageningen University (NL) and UC Davis (USA). I have enjoyed being part of the Arabidopsis research community and would love to contribute more by being part of the ECS Subcommittee. I would like to address the needs of ECS and to make sure we serve the whole community. I have been part of institutes with both large and smaller plant research communities and appreciate the benefits and challenges of both. As an international postdoc I bring outside experiences and I want to help represent international researchers working in North America. I would push for broad support and training for ECS to help them develop skills and form connections with fellow academics as well as with industry, so that all can grow in the direction they wish.  In my scientific career so far, I have worked on projects focusing on vascular and stomatal development in the Arabidopsis root, stem, and embryo. During my MSc I looked at Gene Regulatory Networks controlling vascular proliferation in root and stem at Wageningen University and UC Davis. Continuing at Wageningen I searched for factors that control the initiation of vascular identity in the embryo, during this I returned to UC Davis for a collaboration. For my PhD I made the switch to studying stomatal development and leaves. I have looked at stomatal pre-patterning in the embryo and now look at the roles of stomatal transcription factors in maintaining cell identity. In the past years I’ve gotten more into art, printmaking to be specific, and I’ve enjoyed combining art with science and vice versa!

I enjoy connecting with people and organizing activities that have an impact and I have done so in the past, mostly activities aimed at science communication. I am looking forward to channeling the needs of the community into activities and support that will benefit us all, such as organizing workshops aimed at ‘soft’ skills and career development, as well as setting up peer groups for those looking for support and mentorship, and other needs of the Arabidopsis ECS community. To make sure we create a better research community overall, we need to keep pushing for increased Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. I believe that all should feel welcome and included in science and I am aware that this is not yet the case. I have previously been part of DEIB initiatives aimed at mentorship and science communication for ungraduated, graduate, and high school students (ADVANCE, BioBUDS, Pen Pals) and will bring these experiences to promote and improve DEIB initiatives at NAASC. The focus areas I am most looking forward to working on include 1) Training/career development, 2) Surveying ECS community priorities, 3) Communicating with ECS plant biologists, 4) Expanding and strengthening DEI activities, 5) Developing ECS-focused activities for ICAR 2024-San Diego.