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Posted: 6/27/13

TAMIU Students Chosen for Travel Grants for Botany Meeting

 

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Two Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students will travel to the annual Botany Meeting in New Orleans this summer. 

Rising juniors Jessel Gutíerrez and Hevony Rodríguez competed for the travel grant Preparing Leaders and Nurturing Tomorrow’s Scientists (PLANTS) in order to present posters on research they’ve  undertaken at TAMIU.  The grants are provided by the Botanical Society of America and the National Science Foundation.

The TAMIU students are the first from the University chosen for the honor.

Both students conduct research on floral development of plants that exhibit heterostyly, a complex and elegant type of plant breeding system.  Gutíerrez focuses on species of the Borage, Phlox, Knotweed, and Mint family, while Rodríguez studies species of Houstonia, commonly known as bluets, in the Coffee family.  They are advised by Dr. Jim Cohen, TAMIU assistant professor of biology.  

The PLANTS program funds up to 12 undergraduates nationwide  to attend the annual Botany meeting, receive mentoring from graduate students, postdocs and faculty, and participate in networking events, including a Diversity Luncheon and career-oriented activities.  The grant covers the cost of travel, registration, food and accommodation.

The Botany Meeting is an annual scientific conference, and this year includes five botanical societies: the Botanical Society of America, the American Bryological and Lichenological Society, the American Fern Society, the American Society of Plant Taxonomists, and the International Association for Plant Taxonomy.

The Meeting theme is  “Celebrating Diversity.” Topics range across all levels of botany and include talks on conservation, carnivorous plants, plant genomics, rhizosphere interactions, plant systematics, and botanical education.

For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.32.62180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu