1 true 07/27/2026 Internationally recognized plant ecophysiologist William Hammond joins MSU The Plant Resilience Institute welcomes William (Bill) Hammond to its faculty, advancing research on climate resilience, forest health, and the future of Earth's ecosystems. The Plant Resilience Institute welcomes William (Bill) Hammond to its faculty, advancing research on climate resilience, forest health, and the future of Earth's ecosystems. Morgan Koetje A headshot image of William (Bill) Hammond outside in a forest Plant Resilience Institute William Hammond forestry new faculty new hire plant biology Plant Resilience Institute,William Hammond,forestry,new faculty,new hire,plant biology2 Plants can activate immune ‘dimmer switch’ New research from the Howe lab points to a mechanism that helps plants reprogram their molecular machinery to carefully budget sulfur — a critical nutrient used for both functions. 07/14/2026 A close-up image of a green caterpillar on top of a small white flower https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2026/2026-07-pnas-howe-immune.aspx Gregg Howe Gregg Howe3 true 06/03/2026 PRI Celebrates David Lowry’s Appointment as MSU Subcontract Lead of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center PRI faculty member David Lowry has been appointed MSU Subcontract Lead of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. Morgan Koetje A headshot of David Lowry David Lowry GLBRC Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center David Lowry,GLBRC,Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center4 Dissertation fellowship awarded to MGI/PRI graduate student Kevin Santiago‑Morales, a doctoral candidate in MGI Associate Professor Sarah Lebeis’ lab, received a Dissertation Completion Fellowship. 06/03/2026 A headshot of Kevin Santiago‑Morales in an orange shirt taken outside https://mgi.natsci.msu.edu/news-and-events/news/2026/2026-06-two-students-awarded-dissertation-fellowships.aspx Award Plant Resilience Institute Sarah Lebeis fellowships graduate students mgi Award,Plant Resilience Institute,Sarah Lebeis,fellowships,graduate students,mgi5 MGI graduate students awarded Plant Resilience Institute Seed Grants Three graduate students from the Department of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology have been awarded PRI Seed Grants. 06/02/2026 Three headshots of seed grant awardees are featured above the PRI Seed Grant Program and MGI logos https://mgi.natsci.msu.edu/news-and-events/news/2026/2026-06-mgi-graduate-students-awarded-plant-resilience-institute-seed-grants.aspx Plant Resilience Institute Sarah Lebeis graduate students mgi microbiology Plant Resilience Institute,Sarah Lebeis,graduate students,mgi,microbiology6 MSU opens newly renovated $35-million Plant Science Greenhouses Michigan State University partners gathered May 14 on the East Lansing campus for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate transformative renovations 05/19/2026 Three people stand outside of a greenhouse smiling https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/msu-opens-newly-renovated-35-million-plant-science-greenhouses Greenhouse MSU Plant Science Research Greenhouse Facility Greenhouse,MSU Plant Science Research Greenhouse Facility7 Ian Gilman selected for the 2026 Danny Schnell Plant Biology Outstanding Postdoctoral Award Dr. Ian Gilman, postdoctoral researcher in the VanBuren lab, reflects on his journey, MSU experience, and future. 05/10/2026 Dr. Ian Gilman holds a remote while presenting his research in front of a TV monitor https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dr-ian-gilman-post-doctoral-researcher-in-the-van-buren-lab-has-been-awarded-the-plb-post-doctoral-research-award Award Postdoc postdoctoral researchers robert vanburen Award,Postdoc,postdoctoral researchers,robert vanburen8 Ecological Society of America announces 2026 award recipients PRI Postdoctoral Fellow honored with the 2026 W.S. Cooper Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Fields of Geobotany and/or Physiographic Ecology 05/06/2026 A headshot of Dr. Derek Denney https://esa.org/blog/2026/05/06/ecological-society-of-america-announces-2026-award-recipients/ Awards Postdoc postdoctoral researchers Awards,Postdoc,postdoctoral researchers9 VanBuren honored with 2026 CANR Mid-Career Researcher Award Dr. Robert VanBuren has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 CANR Mid-Career Researcher Award 04/23/2026 A headshot image of Robert VanBuren outside in front of a greenhouse https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/hoffmann-vanburen-honored-with-2026-canr-mid-career-researcher-award Award Faculty Awards robert vanburen Award,Faculty Awards,robert vanburen10 21 MSU students, alumni named National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program Fellows PRI graduate student Kristin Leutgeb among the 21 MSU students and alumni selected for the NSF GRFP. 04/21/2026 A headshot of Kristin Leutgeb wearing a black sweater outside https://studentawards.msu.edu/news/21-msu-students-alumni-nsf-grfp/ Andrea Glassmire Award NSF Graduate Research Fellowship graduate students student awards Andrea Glassmire,Award,NSF Graduate Research Fellowship,graduate students,student awards11 Postdoc researcher Kaitlin Gattoni presents her work on prairie strips Kaitlin, who works with Dr. Christine Sprunger, recently presented highlights of her research spanning studies on the community assembly of nematodes in the Nebraska Sandhills and the effects of prairie strips in row crop fields in Iowa. 03/30/2026 Kaitlin Gattoni pictured outside in front of a lake https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/kbs-psm-post-doc-researcher-kaitlin-gattoni-presents-her-work-on-prairie-strips-at-seminar christine sprunger postdoctoral researchers christine sprunger,postdoctoral researchers12 The World of Plants at 2026 MSU SciFest The MSU plant science community will present a showcase of 18 booths dedicated to different aspects of plant science at the STEAM Expo Weekend during the 2026 MSU Science Festival. 03/25/2026 Promotional graphic advertising the World of Plants showcase during the 2026 MSU Science Festival STEAM Expo Weekend https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/Tagged/26 SciFest events plant sciences SciFest,events,plant sciences13 PSM and PRI Participate in NAPPN Annual Conference and Bayer Hackathon Hosted at MSU, the conference featured the Bayer-sponsored Hackathon to challenge students to tackle giant maize datasets, organized by Dr. Addie Thompson. 03/22/2026 A group of hackathon organizers posing together https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/psm-participates-in-recent-north-american-plant-phenotyping-network-nappn-annual-conference Addie Thompson events Addie Thompson,events14 03/20/2026 Thompson Receives 2026 M. Rhoades Early-Career Award Addie Thompson has been named the recipient of the 2026 M. Rhoades Early-Career Award in maize genetics. Morgan Koetje Addie Thompson holds the 2026 M. Rhoades Early-Career Award on a balcony at night overlooking a river. Addie Thompson Award Faculty Awards Addie Thompson,Award,Faculty Awards15 Girls in Math and Science Day welcomes young scientists with unique STEM experiences The 2026 Girls in Math and Science Day brought over 170 future scientists to MSU and featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Emily Josephs. 03/16/2026 A young girl raises her hand to ask a question during a presentation in an auditorium. https://statenews.com/article/2026/03/gwis-host-girls-in-math-and-science-event-for-youn-scientists Emily Josephs STEM education Emily Josephs,STEM education16 Rapid evolution can ‘rescue’ species from climate change Former PRI Postdoctoral Fellow Daniel Anstett reveals how natural populations of scarlet monkeyflower survived severe drought by undergoing rapid evolutionary change. 03/12/2026 A close-up of a a bright redish-orange flower with a yellow center https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/03/rapid-evolution-can-rescue-species-climate-change Plant Resilience Institute Postdoc alumni postdoctoral researchers Plant Resilience Institute,Postdoc,alumni,postdoctoral researchers17 Daniel Mok Announced as a JGI 2026 New Investigator Graduate student Daniel Mok received a New Investigator award from the Joint Genome Institute. 03/10/2026 Daniel Mok smiling in a blue sweatshirt while holding four small potted succulents https://jgi.doe.gov/user-science/science-stories/jgi-announces-2026-new-investigator-portfolio Award graduate students student awards Award,graduate students,student awards18 New Zealand offers new adventures for PLB grad Brandon Webster Brandon Webster, 2025 plant biology graduate from the Thompson lab, is embarking on an adventure across the world and joining the Kiwifruit Breeding Center in New Zealand. 03/06/2026 Brandon Webster golds up a bag of corn in a red mesh bag. He is smiling and wearing glasses, a tan brimmed hat, and blue button-up. https://plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/posts/032025_webster_qa-test.aspx Addie Thompson Q & A graduate students Addie Thompson,Q & A,graduate students19 Behind the Paper: Sylvie Martin-Eberhardt Graduate student Sylvie Martin-Eberhardt discusses their new research paper in Functional Ecology, titled, "Multiple signalling increases both prey response and diversity in a carnivorous pitcher plant." 02/13/2026 Sylvie Martin-Eberhardt at Upper Manistee Headwaters Preserve, assembling artificial pitcher plants for this paper. https://functionalecologists.com/2026/02/13/sylvie-martin-eberhardt-multiple-signalling-in-carnivorous-pitcher-plant/ Gilbert Lab Kadeem Gilbert ecology graduate students Gilbert Lab,Kadeem Gilbert,ecology,graduate students20 Student honored for science communication and agricultural outreach Sprunger lab graduate student Rachel Drobnak received the 2026 Graduate Award in Science Outreach & Communication from the MSU Graduate School 02/02/2026 A headshot of Rachel Drobnak pictured wearing an MSU sweatshirt outside in front of autumn leaves https://eeb.msu.edu/news/student-honored-for-excellence-in-science-communication-and-outreach.aspx Awards christine sprunger graduate students Awards,christine sprunger,graduate students21 Study Reveals Key Insights into Invasive Scale Insect Behavior in MS River Delta A study led by Dr. Andrea Glassmire found that an invasive scale insect concentrates on lower stems of wetland grasses, showing how plant chemistry shapes its spread and informing future management efforts. 01/28/2026 A graphical illustration of N. biwakoensis on corn plants by Tiana Litwak https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/msu-study-reveals-key-insights-into-invasive-scale-insect-behavior-in-mississippi-river-delta Andrea Glassmire Andrea Glassmire22 MSU researcher examines impact of management practices on Michigan farms Partnering with farmers across Michigan, Dr. Christine Sprunger is examining how soil health and biodiversity can be improved through land management. 12/19/2025 A headshot of Christine Sprunger smiling in a corn field https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/msu-researcher-examines-impact-of-management-practices-on-michigan-farms Plant Resilience Institute christine sprunger extension Plant Resilience Institute,christine sprunger,extension23 PRI Publishes 2025 Annual Report

Review the MSU Plant Resilience Institute's annual report from fiscal year 2025, highlighting PRI's accomplishments, events and programs, research excellence, and more.

 12/16/2025 A graphic with a blurred background image of hands in soil circling a small green plant growing out of a green PRI emblem with the text overtop "2025 Annual Report." https://plantresilience.msu.edu/about/annual-reports/2025-report.aspx 24 Securing Planet and People Resilience through Innovative Plant Resilience Research PRI Director Sue Rhee gives a research presentation at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting in October of 2025. 12/12/2025 The MSU logo and wordmark in white with a dark green background https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VP9FLJMuNY seung yon rhee sue rhee video seung yon rhee,sue rhee,video25 true 12/04/2025 PRI Celebrates Three Faculty at the 2025 College of Natural Science Awards Three PRI faculty members, Emily Josephs, David Lowry, and Sue Rhee, were recognized at the 2025 College of Natural Science Awards. Morgan Koetje Magilligan A square graphic broken into four quadrants, with the NatSci logo and text "2025 College Awards" in the top left corner, a photo of Emily Josephs receiving her award from Eric Hegg in the top right, a photo of David Lowry receiving his award from Eric Hegg in the bottom left, and a headshot of Sue Rhee in the bottom right. Annual NatSci Awards Award David Lowry Emily Josephs Faculty Awards seung yon rhee sue rhee Annual NatSci Awards,Award,David Lowry,Emily Josephs,Faculty Awards,seung yon rhee,sue rhee26 This Shrub Thrives in Death Valley’s Scorching Temperatures Tidestromia oblongifolia thrives in high heat—and scientists think it may hold the key to making food crops more resilient amid global warming. 11/24/2025 Karine Prado wears a lab coat, gloves, and mask while examining T. oblongifolia plants inside a plant growth chamber. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-shrub-thrives-in-death-valleys-scorching-heat-researchers-are-just-beginning-to-understand-why-180987728/ Plant Resilience Institute seung yon rhee sue rhee Plant Resilience Institute,seung yon rhee,sue rhee27 Unraveling the mysteries of the plant microbiome

Sarah Lebeis has been appointed Science Director at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center.

 11/21/2025 Sarah Lebeis smiles at her lab manager while sitting together at a lab bench https://www.glbrc.org/news/unraveling-mysteries-plant-microbiome Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Plant Resilience Institute Sarah Lebeis Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center,Plant Resilience Institute,Sarah Lebeis28 Death Valley plant reveals blueprint for heat-resilient crops A new discovery from the Rhee lab identifies natural strategies that enable plants to keep growing and photosynthesizing in extreme heat, revealing untapped blueprints for resilience. 11/13/2025 Death Valley, California https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/11/plant-reveals-blueprint-for-building-heat-resilient-crops Plant Resilience Institute sue rhee Plant Resilience Institute,sue rhee29 Scientists uncover a phosphorus-responsive switch in plants A newly discovered signaling pathway explains how plants delay flowering when phosphorus runs low, opening doors to nutrient-efficient crops. 11/12/2025 Drs. Cho and Rouached examine Arabidopsis plants on different developmental stages in a lab https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/11/how-plants-decide-when-to-flower Hatem Rouached Plant Resilience Institute Hatem Rouached,Plant Resilience Institute30 MSU’s new Plant and Environmental Sciences building construction underway MSU’s new Plant and Environmental Sciences building is set to be finished in early March 2027. The facility is being built to feature modern tools, consolidate resources and improve student research. 11/11/2025 The outside of the Plant and Environmental Sciences Building shown under construction https://impact89fm.org/128676/news/msus-new-plant-and-environmental-sciences-building-construction-underway/ PESB Plant Resilience Institute video PESB,Plant Resilience Institute,video31 A special shape shift helps a shrub thrive in blistering heat From growing smaller leaves to shape-shifting its insides, a desert flowering plant goes all in to flourish in the harshest of conditions. 11/07/2025 Tidestromia oblongifolia growing in cracked soil https://www.sciencenews.org/article/death-valley-shrub-survival-heat Plant Resilience Institute sue rhee Plant Resilience Institute,sue rhee32 Scientists make groundbreaking find in California's Death Valley National Park In Death Valley, which boasts the record for the hottest temperature on the planet at 134°F, one native species is loving the blistering weather. 11/07/2025 A view of Death Valley National Park https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/calif-scientists-groundbreaking-study-death-valley-21143612.php Plant Resilience Institute sue rhee Plant Resilience Institute,sue rhee33 true 11/04/2025 How plants decide when to flower: MSU scientists uncover a phosphorus-responsive switch A newly discovered signaling pathway explains how plants delay flowering when phosphorus runs low, opening doors to nutrient-efficient crops. A newly discovered signaling pathway explains how plants delay flowering when phosphorus runs low, opening doors to nutrient-efficient crops.
  • Phosphorus is essential for global food production, yet it comes from limited, nonrenewable sources. Understanding how plants naturally adapt to phosphorus scarcity could help create crops that thrive with less fertilizer.
  • MSU scientists uncovered, for the first time, how changes in a plant’s nutrient status can physically move proteins inside its cells to control when it flowers.
  • The discovery provides a blueprint for breeding nutrient-efficient, resilient crops that maintain yields in poor soils while reducing fertilizer dependence and environmental impact.
 Morgan Koetje Magilligan Drs. Cho and Rouached examine Arabidopsis plants of comparable age but different developmental stages. Hatem Rouached Plant Resilience Institute Hatem Rouached,Plant Resilience Institute34 Students recognized with MPS Outstanding Paper Award

The Molecular Plant Sciences graduate program celebrates the successes of its students with the MPS Outstanding Paper Award. PRI member Febri Susanto was one of two students recognized for accomplishments in publishing research in the past year.

 10/28/2025 Febri Susanto https://mps.natsci.msu.edu/news-events/news/2025-10-mps-outstanding-paper-award.aspx Molecular Plant Sciences graduate students Molecular Plant Sciences,graduate students35 Seeds of hope Plant researchers are racing to build climate-resilient crops before global food systems reach a breaking point. 10/14/2025 Michigan State University Plant Resilience Institute Director Sue Rhee stands in a field wearing a lab coat and holding a large beaker filled with soil planted with various small crops. https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/10/seeds-of-hope Tom Sharkey sue rhee Tom Sharkey,sue rhee36 true 10/08/2025 Chris Topp Puts Down Roots at MSU, Joins PRI Topp uses powerful imaging tools to envision the future of sustainable agriculture Topp uses powerful imaging tools to envision the future of sustainable agriculture, and is bringing his root biology expertise to MSU and the Plant Resilience Institute. Caleb Hess and Morgan Koetje Magilligan Christopher Topp Chris Topp Plant Resilience Institute Chris Topp,Plant Resilience Institute37 The First WALII Symposium: Exploring Life Without Water The Water and Life Interface Institute (WALII), a center-level grant led by PRI, is proud to announce the inaugural WALII Virtual Symposium, which will bring together the scientific community to explore anhydrobiosis. 09/23/2025 The graphic features a background image of a desert and the MSU-PRI and WALII logos with the text "The First WALII Symposium: Exploring Life Without Water" https://www.walii.science/virtual-symposium.html WALII Water and Life Interface Institute WALII,Water and Life Interface Institute38 A breakthrough in plant defense after decades of research A key feature of insect pest wound response in plants has been uncovered after 34 years of collaboration and mentorship in Gregg Howe’s lab at MSU. 09/18/2025 Gregg Howe examines a tomato plant https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-09-a-breakthrough-in-plant-defense-after-decades-of-research.aspx Gregg Howe Gregg Howe39 Scientists solve long-standing mystery of amino acid transport in plants The discovery of how plants move life’s building blocks has unlocked new potential for developing nutrient-rich crops and ensuring food security. 08/28/2025 Peter Lundquist working at a lab desk https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-08-scientists-solve-long-standing-mystery-of-amino-acid-transport-in-plants.aspx peter lundquist peter lundquist40 Seeding the Field How the development of Arabidopsis thaliana as a model organism led to innovation in the plant sciences, agriculture and human health 08/12/2025 Arabidopsis thaliana as grown in a lab. https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-08-seeding-the-field.aspx Plant Resilience Institute seung yon rhee Plant Resilience Institute,seung yon rhee41 Undergrads participate in summer research, fueling future bioeconomy The Plant Genomics @ MSU Research Experience for Undergraduates, or REU, program brought 21 undergraduate students from 20 universities to research and study at Michigan State this summer.  08/08/2025 Plant Genomics @ MSU REU logo https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-08-undergrads-participate-in-summer-research-fueling-future-bioeconomy.aspx undergraduate programs undergraduate students undergraduate programs,undergraduate students42 Welcoming Future Scientists: MAP Students Join Addie Thompson’s Lab at MSU This July, the Thompson Lab is proud to host three bright high school students—Adrian, Ananya, and Vania—through the Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP). 07/11/2025 Two students working in the Thompson lab https://msu-prod.dotcmscloud.com/news/welcoming-future-scientists-map-students-join-addie-thompson-s-lab-at-msu Addie Thompson K-12 science education Addie Thompson,K-12 science education43 Thomas D. Sharkey retires after 51 years of plant research After 51 years of research and teaching, PRI faculty member Thomas D. Sharkey is earning the title of Emeritus University Distinguished Professor as he heads to retirement. 07/07/2025 Tom Sharkey poses at his desk as a graduate student in the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory between 1976-1980. https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-07-thomas-d-sharkey-retires-after-51-years-of-plant-research.aspx Plant Resilience Institute Tom Sharkey Plant Resilience Institute,Tom Sharkey44 Sprunger Announced as a 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneer Christine Sprunger has been selected by the World Food Prize Foundation as a 2025 Top Agri-food Pioneer! Her work in regenerative agriculture and soil health has transformed sustainable farming systems and positions her as a global leader in agri-food sustainability. 06/24/2025 Christine Sprunger headshot https://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/87428/49336/2025_top_agrifood_pioneers_announced_39_changemakers_from_27_countries_forging_a_new_future_for_food Award christine sprunger Award,christine sprunger45 Some plants make their own pesticide — but at what cost to the atmosphere? New research 40 years in the making from Tom Sharkey sheds light on how isoprene could provide a path for engineering plants that are more resilient to environmental change and pest outbreaks. But that benefit could come at an environmental cost. 06/13/2025 Tom Sharkey measures the rate of photosynthesis and isoprene being released by a soybean plant. https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/some-plants-make-their-own-pesticide-but-at-what-cost-to-the-atmosphere Plant Resilience Institute Tom Sharkey Plant Resilience Institute,Tom Sharkey46 Hatem Rouached: Decoding Plant Phosphorus Nutrition The world is running out of phosphorus. No phosphorus? No food. But Michigan State University researcher Hatem Rouached and his team are finding ways to help plants thrive where phosphorus isn’t present. 05/30/2025 Hatem Rouached in his lab https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8LHutCLsJc Hatem Rouached video Hatem Rouached,video47 Study reveals even common plants are threatened by climate change PRI Fellow Derek Denney is part of a team of scientists that revealed even common plant species that may not be showing obvious signs of decline could still be affected dramatically by climate change. 05/01/2025 Drummond's rockcress (Boechera stricta) in flower in a meadow in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. https://ecology.uga.edu/2025/05/01/study-reveals-even-common-plants-are-threatened-by-climate-change/ Plant Resilience Institute climate change postdoctoral researchers Plant Resilience Institute,climate change,postdoctoral researchers48 Updates to MSU greenhouse facility renovations Renovations to the facility include a new headhouse and greenhouses. The final stage is expected to be complete by November 2026. 05/01/2025 The inside of a new greenhouse at the MSU Plant Science Research Greenhouse Facility. A newly installed energy curtain can be seen above. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/updates-to-msu-greenhouse-facility-renovations-new-headhouse-greenhouses-built-capacity-at-existing-greenhouses-strengthened MSU Plant Science Research Greenhouse Facility MSU Plant Science Research Greenhouse Facility49 Rouached honored with 2025 CANR Established Mid-Career Researcher Award Dr. Hatem Rouached, assistant professor in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and the Plant Resilience Institute, is the recipient of a 2025 CANR Established Mid-Career Researcher Award. 04/22/2025 Hatem Rouached headshot https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/caputo-rouached-honored-with-2025-canr-established-mid-career-researcher-awards CANR Faculty Awards Hatem Rouached CANR,Faculty Awards,Hatem Rouached50 true 04/16/2025 New Paper Explores the Secrets of Surviving Without Water Dr. Rose Marks brought together a team of 39 researchers from across the globe to outline a comprehensive roadmap for advancing research on desiccation tolerance.

Dr. Rose Marks brought together a team of 39 researchers from across the globe to outline a comprehensive roadmap for advancing research on desiccation tolerance.

 Johanna Murray Dr. Rose Marks and field assistant Yandisa Ndzeku sample resurrection grasses at the Free State National Botanical Garden in Bloemfontein, South Africa. WALII Water and Life Interface Institute robert vanburen sue rhee WALII,Water and Life Interface Institute,robert vanburen,sue rhee51 MSU to host inaugural Great Lakes Plant Science Conference Register for GLPSC 2025, a collaborative conference by 10 leading universities from the U.S. and Canada to explore the future of plant science, taking place from September 12-14, 2025 in Lansing, Michigan. 04/16/2025 A graphic promoting GLPSC 2025 with a background image of blurred leaves and an outline of the Great Lakes, featuring a QR code and the logos of the 10 organizing universities. The text says, "1st Great Lakes Plant Science Conference, September 12-14, 2025, the Lansing Center, Lansing, MI. Registration Open! Research.msu.edu/glpsc2025, Abstract submissions and travel grant applications are due by April 30, 2025! Organized by 10 universities around the Great Lakes to push the boundaries of plant science, promote collaborations, and empower the next-generation plant science leaders. Hosted by Michigan State University and the Plant Resilience Institute." https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-04-msu-to-host-inaugural-great-lakes-plant-science-conference.aspx Great Lakes Plant Science Conference Plant Resilience Institute Great Lakes Plant Science Conference,Plant Resilience Institute52 MSU Plant Science Community showcases 'The World of Plants' at STEAM Expo Days

Plant scientists from labs and research groups across MSU will present, 'The World of Plants,' a showcase featuring 17 unique booths, at the 2025 SciFest STEAM Expo Days.

 03/24/2025 A graphic promoting the MSU SciFest STEAM Expo Days 'World of Plants' room. The graphic has a magenta background and features images around the border of plants, seeds, soil, a microscope, and other scientific equipment. There is a white circle in the center containing the following text, "Michigan State University Science Festival STEAM Expo Weekend, April 5-6, 2025. Explore the World of Plants, 17 plant science booths for all ages, STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, room 2202." https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-03-msu-plant-science-community-showcases-the-world-of-plants-at-steam-expo-days.aspx SciFest SciFest53 Using unique approaches to study plants in future conditions Researchers from the Sharkey lab are using unique research techniques to see how plants grow when exposed to high light and high amounts of CO2. 03/11/2025 Yuan Xu, postdoctoral researcher in the Sharkey lab, uses a LICOR to measure the rate of photosynthesis in a plant. https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2025/2025-03-using-unique-approaches-to-study-plants-in-future-conditions.aspx Sharkey lab Tom Sharkey Sharkey lab,Tom Sharkey54 College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Honors 2024 Outstanding Student Leader

The MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has honored PRI member Natali Gonzalez, who earned a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability, with the 2024 CANR Outstanding Student Leadership Award

 02/14/2025 Natali Gonzalez pictured at her graduation ceremony with CANR Associate Dean of Culture, Access and Belonging Dr. Antomia Farrell and CANR Assistant Director of Student Support and Belonging Stephanie Chau https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/college-of-agriculture-and-natural-resources-honors-2024-outstanding-student-leader CANR Plant Resilience Institute student awards CANR,Plant Resilience Institute,student awards55 Turning red: can pigmentation protect plants from harmful fungi? In a new, collaborative PRI seed grant project, two PLB graduate students have teamed up to investigate how plants’ natural defense mechanisms can be leveraged to help improve crop resilience. 02/03/2025 Madison and Sylvia examining a plant together in the lab https://plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/posts/012025_monkeyflower_seed_grant.aspx crop resilience graduate students seed grants crop resilience,graduate students,seed grants56 Danielle Hoffmann receives the 2024 Kende award PRI member Danielle Hoffmann is the 2024 recipient of the Kende Award, which acknowledges the best doctoral dissertation in plant sciences at Michigan State University over the last two years. 12/18/2024 Danielle Hoffmann (center) with her mentors, Yair Shachar-Hill and Sue Rhee https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/news-and-events/news/2024-12-kende-award.aspx Hans Kende Kende Award Plant Resilience Institute Hans Kende,Kende Award,Plant Resilience Institute57 The MSU Research Foundation helps turn Spartan discoveries into impact

PRI Director Sue Rhee speaks on the MSU Research Foundation, which has empowered groundbreaking research and entrepreneurship at MSU for over 50 years.

 12/18/2024 More than 60 faculty members have been named MSU Research Foundation Professors since the recognition was established in 2014. https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/the-msu-research-foundation-helps-turn-spartan-discoveries-into-impact MSU Research Foundation seung yon rhee sue rhee MSU Research Foundation,seung yon rhee,sue rhee58 A Graphic Novel Plants Seeds of Scientific Curiosity in Michigan Classrooms PRI Associate Director David Lowry is partnering with the MSU College of Education and teachers to bring the "Mystery of the Monkeyflower" into middle and high school classrooms across Michigan. 12/16/2024 Mystery of the Monkeyflower https://engagedscholar.msu.edu/enewsletter/volume17/issue2/lowry.aspx David Lowry Plant Resilience Institute David Lowry,Plant Resilience Institute59 12/05/2024 MSU plant scientists unite global community to call for advancing plant resilience Plant and agricultural sciences must make rapid and significant changes to ensure global food security in the face of climate change, according to a Michigan State University-led international group of plant researchers.
  • A coalition organized by Michigan State University's Plant Resilience Institute, or PRI, published a paper in Trends in Plant Science. 
  • The group calls for climate-adapted crops to prevent famine, mass migration and global conflict as a result of climate change.
  • Researchers must also work directly with farmers to close the gap between scientific breakthroughs in the lab and their practical use in farming.
 Morgan Magilligan and Bethany Mauger Seung Yon "Sue" Rhee, MSU Research Professor and Plant Resilience Institute director Plant Resilience Institute seung yon rhee sue rhee Plant Resilience Institute,seung yon rhee,sue rhee60 Climate and Environment at Issue in Upcoming Election: MSU Experts Can Comment MSU researchers, including PRI faculty member Dr. Christine Sprunger, weigh in on critical issues and policies impacting the environment that will be influenced by the 2024 election. 11/04/2024 Earth as viewed from space https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/climate-and-environment-at-issue-in-upcoming-election-msu-experts-can-comment Plant Resilience Institute christine sprunger Plant Resilience Institute,christine sprunger61 MSU’s new Plant and Environmental Sciences Building critical to advancing climate-resilient plants The state-of-the-art Plant and Environmental Sciences Building (PESB) is officially under construction, accelerating climate-critical discoveries and advancing Michigan State University’s excellence in food security. PESB will be the home of PRI when construction is complete in 2026. 10/25/2024 A line of members of the Plant Resilience Institute and MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory toss scoops of dirt with shovels. They're wearing Spartan hard hats with construction equipment behind them. https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/msu-new-plant-and-environmental-sciences-building-crtiical-to-advancing-climate-resilient-plants MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory PESB Plant Resilience Institute MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory,PESB,Plant Resilience Institute62 MSU awarded one of the NSF’s six Global Centers to solve worldwide food challenges The Michigan State University Plant Resilience Institute has been granted a 2024 Global Centers award through the NSF and its partner agencies. The International Research Center for Enhancing Plant Resilience addresses the critical challenge of stabilizing global food production amid unpredictable weather patterns. 10/03/2024 NSF logo https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/msu-one-of-nsf-six-global-centers-to-solve-worldwide-food-challenges Plant Resilience Institute Plant Resilience Institute63 MSU Trustees Approve Construction of New Plant and Environmental Sciences Building The new Plant and Environmental Sciences Building will promote cross-disciplinary collaborations by housing research teams from both PRI and the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory . 09/23/2024 The new Plant and Environmental Sciences Building https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2024/msu-trustees-approve-construction-of-new-plant-and-environmental-sciences-building MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory PESB plant resilience institute MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory,PESB,plant resilience institute64 true 09/12/2024 PRI Celebrates the First Cohort of Postdoctoral Fellows Embarking on New Ventures PRI proudly announces that its first cohort of postdoctoral research fellows is moving on to new and exciting roles after three transformative years. These talented plant scientists—Drs. Daniel Anstett, Brittni Kelley, and Stephanie Schmiege—have made significant contributions to plant resilience research and are now set to continue their impactful work in new positions. Morgan Magilligan Headshots of Drs. Daniel Anstett, Brittni Kelley, and Stephanie Schmiege with the PRI logo Plant Resilience Institute postdoctoral researchers Plant Resilience Institute,postdoctoral researchers65 PRI Publishes 2024 Annual Report PRI is thrilled to announce the publication of the 2024 Annual Report! Read about the PRI members, events, and programs that made this past fiscal year unforgettable. Together, we are PRI. 08/26/2024 PRI 2024 Annual Report https://plantresilience.msu.edu/about/annual-reports/2024-report.aspx Plant Resilience Institute Plant Resilience Institute66 true 08/13/2024 PRI Welcomes Dr. Andrea Glassmire as an Assistant Professor The Michigan State University Plant Resilience Institute is excited to announce the hiring of Dr. Andrea Glassmire as an Assistant Professor, effective January 2025. Dr. Glassmire will hold joint appointments in the departments of Entomology and Plant Biology. Morgan Koetje Dr. Andrea Glassmire headshot Andrea Glassmire plant resilience institute Andrea Glassmire,plant resilience institute67 Green Gold: Turning Trees Into 'Biofactories' PRI faculty member Thomas Sharkey is part of a team of researchers reporting new findings that could help engineer poplar trees to produce high value chemical compounds. 07/08/2024 Thomas Sharkey headshot https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/news/2024/2024-green-gold.aspx Tom Sharkey plant resilience institute Tom Sharkey,plant resilience institute68 DIY lab tool evaluates new molecules in minutes Researchers, including PRI Director Dr. Sue Rhee, have developed new DIY laboratory tools to greatly speed up a crucial analytical process. 06/27/2024 Several nematodes under microscopic imaging https://bmb.natsci.msu.edu/news/2024/2024-diy-lab-tool-evaluates-new-molecules-in-minutes.aspx Plant Resilience Institute seung yon rhee sue rhee Plant Resilience Institute,seung yon rhee,sue rhee69 06/21/2024 New Study Reveals Convergent Evolution of Desiccation Tolerance in Resurrection Grasses A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Rose Marks, a Michigan State University Plant Resilience Institute postdoctoral fellow in the VanBuren Lab, sheds new light on the evolutionary origins and mechanisms of desiccation tolerance in resurrection plants. Morgan Koetje Dr. Rose Marks postdoctoral researchers robert vanburen postdoctoral researchers,robert vanburen70 06/18/2024 Graduado da PRI Recebeu Bolsa ASPB para Pesquisa sobre Resiliência ao Calor Cowpea
Alethia Pratas da Costa Braun, estudante de graduação em ciências de culturas e solo da Universidade Estadual de Michigan que trabalha no Laboratório Lundquist com o Instituto de Resiliência de Plantas, foi premiada com a prestigiada American Society of Plant Biologists Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (ASPB SURF).
Morgan Koetje Alethia Pratas da Costa Braun 71 06/18/2024 PRI Undergraduate Awarded ASPB Fellowship for Research on Cowpea Heat Resilience Alethia Pratas da Costa Braun, a Michigan State University undergraduate student in crop and soil sciences working in the Lundquist Lab with the Plant Resilience Institute, has been awarded the prestigious American Society of Plant Biologists Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (ASPB SURF). Morgan Koetje Alethia Pratas da Costa Braun smiles while holding small black seeds Plant Resilience Institute Undergraduate Awards undergraduate Plant Resilience Institute,Undergraduate Awards,undergraduate72 Lundquist Receives NSF CAREER Award

PRI faculty member Peter Lundquist has won a $1.5 million Faculty Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation. The award supports his search for “master regulators” in the stress response of plants.

 06/10/2024 Peter Lundquist headshot https://natsci.msu.edu/news/2024-06-lunquist-receives-nsf-career-award.aspx Plant Resilience Institute peter lundquist Plant Resilience Institute,peter lundquist73 Ecological Society of America Announces 2024 Fellows PRI Faculty Member Christine Sprunger was named an Early Career Fellow of the Ecological Society of America. Dr. Sprunger is one of only ten new ESA Early Career Fellows (2024–2028) elected for advancing ecology and showing promise for continuing contributions. 04/30/2024 Christine Sprunger Headshot https://www.esa.org/blog/2024/04/30/ecological-society-of-america-announces-2024-fellows/ Plant Resilience Institute christine sprunger Plant Resilience Institute,christine sprunger74 New Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program Funds Four Projects

Christine Sprunger, a Plant Resilience Institute faculty member, will serve as the principal investigator for a project funded through the new Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program focused on providing Michigan field crop farmers the information they need to build climate-resilient cropping systems.

 04/22/2024 Christine Sprunger Headshot https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/new-agricultural-climate-resiliency-program-funds-four-projects christine sprunger plant resilience institute christine sprunger,plant resilience institute75 Humans of Banbury: Interview with Seung Yon (Sue) Rhee

During the Banbury Center’s October 2023 meeting, “The Future of Plant-Environment Interactions: Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing Climate,” Sue Rhee had an opportunity to speak with Jenna Jacobs from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Banbury Center.

 04/19/2024 Sue Rhee https://www.cshl.edu/banbury-news/humans-of-banbury-interview-with-seung-yon-sue-rhee/ Plant Resilience Institute seung yon rhee sue rhee Plant Resilience Institute,seung yon rhee,sue rhee76 04/05/2024 PRI Takes Center Stage at MSU’s Science Festival: A Celebration of Plant Science and Discovery

Among the participants in this year's MSU Science Festival is the Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) at Michigan State University, which is set to showcase its cutting-edge research and engage the public in the fascinating world of plant science.

 MSU Science Festival logo Plant Resilience Institute msu science festival Plant Resilience Institute,msu science festival77 03/14/2024 PRI Welcomes Three New Postdoctoral Fellows

Three successful candidates have been selected to join PRI: Joanna Feehan, Jinny Yang, and Derek Denney, who will commence their appointments sometime in 2024.

 Plant Resilience Institute Purple flowers and green leaves Purple flowers and green leaves plant resilience institute plant resilience institute78 true 02/07/2024 PRI Celebrates Black History Month with Art Exhibit PRI, in coordination with the Plant Cell Atlas, is excited to announce an art exhibit featuring historically significant Black scholars in plant science. Tanya Bakija A person with a backpack and yelklow back looks at one of the PRI Black History Month art banners Plant Resilience Institute plant resilience Plant Resilience Institute,plant resilience79 PSM researchers host high school science students from the Detroit Metro area

PSM faculty, including PRI's Sarah Lebeis and Addie Thompson, and staff wrap up a second program together with Detroit's EcoTek lab.

 02/04/2024 EcoTek students learning about lab technology with postdoctoral researcher Anuradha Singh and graduate student Matt Chansler. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/ecotek-lab-students-return-for-more-hands-on-science Addie Thompson K-12 science education Sarah Lebeis Addie Thompson,K-12 science education,Sarah Lebeis80 true 01/19/2024 Plant Resilience Institute Postdoc to Assume Faculty Role at University of Illinois Rose Marks, a postdoctoral researcher in the VanBuren lab, will begin as an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in August of this year. Rose Marks Plant Resilience Institute Plant Resilience Institute81 Leah Johnson receives the 2023 Kende award Leah Johnson is the 2023 recipient of the Kende Award, which acknowledges the best doctoral dissertation in plant sciences at Michigan State University over the last two years. 12/13/2023 Leah Johnson https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/news-and-events/news/2023-12-leah-johnson-receives-the-2023-kende-award.aspx Gregg Howe Hans Kende Gregg Howe,Hans Kende82 MSU faculty recognized as global top researchers Five researchers and professors from Michigan State University, including PRI's Gregg Howe, have been recognized in the “2023 Highly Cited Researchers” list, a ranking organized annually by Clarivate Analytics. 11/15/2023 Gregg Howe https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2023/msu-faculty-recognized-as-global-top-researchers Gregg Howe MSU Today research Gregg Howe,MSU Today,research83 How plants are adjusting to less daylight MSU researcher Tom Sharkey discusses how plants adapt to decreased sunlight after the time change. 11/09/2023 Tom Sharkey https://www.wkar.org/wkar-news/2023-11-09/how-plants-are-adjusting-to-daylight-saving-time Daylight Savings Tom Sharkey photosynthesis Daylight Savings,Tom Sharkey,photosynthesis84 How Plants Respond to Environmental Threats with Proper Defense In plants, the jasmonate signaling pathway helps plants control their defense responses to environmental stresses. Like the human body, plants respond differently to individual threats. Just as people wouldn’t get a fever due to a sprained ankle, plants deal with harmful elements in particular ways. A study from the Howe lab looks at how plants respond to environmental threats in the correct way. 09/14/2023 Ian Major, Gregg Howe and Leah Johnson working together in the lab https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2023/get-jazed-how-plants-respond-to-environmental-treats-with-proper-defense?collection=05db6d6c-340b-45d5-8e27-27e795dddea1 Gregg Howe Jasomante PRL Gregg Howe,Jasomante,PRL85 true 09/08/2023 PRI Is Hiring: Postdoctoral Applications Open Until Oct. 20 The Plant Resilience Institute (PRI) at Michigan State University invites applications for up to two Postdoctoral Fellowships in plant resilience. We encourage applications from candidates in any early-career stage, from finishing PhD students to current postdoctoral scholars. Caleb Hess Leafy plant resting in a liquid-filled glass container Leafy plant resting in a liquid-filled glass container Hiring Postdoc plant resilience Hiring,Postdoc,plant resilience86 Science of Weather: How depleting phosphorus is affecting plants Phosphorus is a mineral that plants need to grow and complete its life cycle. But in the United States, scientists say phosphorus in our soil is going to deplete within this century. 09/04/2023 Researcher working with soil in an agricultural field https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/science-of-weather-how-depleting-phosphorus-is-affecting-plants/ Rhee Rouached phosphorus Rhee,Rouached,phosphorus87 true 08/18/2023 New Study shows how plant myo-inositol transport influences bacterial colonization phenotypes Plants grown in distinct environments often harbor similar microbiomes, which suggests highly conserved mechanisms for the establishment and maintenance of specific plant-microbe interactions. Patty Bonito Sarah Lebeis pictured with her lab members 88 true 07/31/2023 Unraveling the Mysteries of Metabolism A newly awarded grant from the National Science Foundation’s Plant Genome Research Program will help grow the Plant Metabolic Network, a repository of essential genomic information aimed at connecting and accelerating worldwide research on plant metabolism.
  • The grant, awarded through the National Science Foundation’s Plant Genome Research Program, will help grow the Plant Metabolic Network.
  • The PIs hope that the Plant Metabolic Network can connect the efforts of plant researchers worldwide to build and refine a robust resource for biochemists.
  • The grant is a collaborative effort between MSU, the University of California, Davis and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Caleb Hess Microscopic view of plant cells. Credit: Adobe Stock Microscopic view of plant cells, thumbnail. Credit: Adobe Stock NSF genomic resources plant metabolism NSF,genomic resources,plant metabolism89 Investigating the impacts of temperature on the thylakoid membrane: Insights from computer simulations A team of researchers, including Tom Sharkey, used computer simulations to investigate how isoprene levels and temperature affect the thylakoid membrane of plants at the nanoscale. 06/28/2023 Still image highlighting how isoprene (green carbons, white hydrogens) intercalates into the hydrophobic core of a thylakoid membrane model (gray carbons, red oxygens, brown phosphorus, and yellow for sulfur. https://prl.natsci.msu.edu/news-and-events/news/investigating-the-impacts-of-temperature-on-the-thylakoid-membrane-insights-from-computer-simulations.aspx Metabolism Sharkey lab Vermaas lab Metabolism,Sharkey lab,Vermaas lab90 Sowing Seeds of diversity MSU professors begin new partnership with Detroit's EcoTek Lab to introduce youths to the research being done in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. 12/01/2022 Sarah Lebeis (left) pictured with Ecotek lab student Haley (middle) and technician Asia Hawkins (right). Haley is isolating novel soil bacteria to examine how they impact plant growth. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/sowing-seeds-of-diversity Addie Thompson K-12 science education Sarah Lebeis Addie Thompson,K-12 science education,Sarah Lebeis91 MSU receives $590K USDA grant for corn tar spot resistance research A team of scientists, led by Addie Thompson, has received more than $590,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to study resistance to tar spot, a devastating corn disease. 07/07/2022 Addie Thompson https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2022/msu-receives-590k-usda-grant-for-corn-tar-spot-resistance-research Addie Thompson MSU Today Maize Tar Spot USDA Addie Thompson,MSU Today,Maize,Tar Spot,USDA