BTI Welcomes 2023 Undergraduate Student Researchers

On June 5, Boyce Thompson Institute welcomed 39 undergraduate students from colleges across the country to experience the life of a researcher for 10 weeks.

Now in its 23rd year, BTI’s NSF funded Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) and USDA funded Innovations in Digital Agriculture, Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) focuses on training and inspiring the next generation of scientists to help feed a growing population, while protecting the environment and enhancing human health.

Throughout the summer, student researchers will gain valuable research skills in BTI and Cornell University labs. They will also attend seminars and workshops to learn from leaders in plant science research, biological engineering, bioinformatics, and science communications. Because collaboration is a key aspect of modern science, every REU student will be partnered with a mentor in their respective research lab. Together, each mentor will lead the mentee in creating an independent project that best utilizes the student’s curiosity and drive while also contributing to the lab’s research goals. This project will be each mentee’s focus during the program, culminating with their end of summer presentation at our annual George and Helen Kohut Symposium.

Five of the REU students will be in labs that are part of the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS), which aims to integrate plant sciences, engineering and computer science to improve crops and the sustainability of agricultural management practices. 

For many of the students, this is their first immersive research experience outside their university. Learning the fundamentals of lab life from their mentors and developing their professional networks will be a crucial experience to kickstart their research careers.

When research REU students aren’t working on their projects, they will attend weekly seminars by BTI and Cornell faculty, participate in a five-week Bioinformatics course, and engage with faculty, graduate students, and communications and scientific professionals. Throughout the summer, they will have a chance to engage with the local public during their science communication program and explore the beautiful Ithaca region on the weekends.

The summer research experience programs culminate with the annual George and Helen Kohut Summer Research Symposium on Thursday, August 10, from 9am-4:30pm at BTI. The symposium will be live-streamed for the public. Stay tuned to our website and social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for more updates throughout the summer!