Plenary: President’s Symposium: Why do we study plants--celebrating the broad reach of plant science

This symposium will highlight ways that plant biology research connects to broad societal needs. We have a Native Hawaiian scientist from Arizona State University, Katie Kamelamela, to talk about her work with indigenous people on forest plant gathering practices and recognition of their contributions to the cultural and economic foundations of Hawaii. Sonali Roy (Tennessee State University) will talk about how diverse legumes are important parts of our diet and her research about improving legume-rhizobia symbiosis in a changing climate. Edgar Spalding (University of Wisconsin) will highlight major findings in auxin transport research and applications of model system work to economically important plants. Vipula Shukla from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will share perspectives on how plant biology research can contribute to agricultural improvement in the developing world for resource-constrained, small-scale producers, who are disproportionately affected by climate change.