BTI Welcomes 2024 Undergraduate Student Researchers

On June 3, Boyce Thompson Institute welcomed 46 undergraduate students from colleges across the country to experience the life of a researcher for 10 weeks.

Now in its 24th year, BTI’s National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funded Innovations in Digital Agriculture, Research Experience for Undergrads (REU) focuses on training and inspiring the next generation of scientists to advance our understanding of plants and use that knowledge for the greater good.

Throughout the summer, student researchers will develop valuable research skills in the BTI and Cornell University labs. They will participate in seminars and workshops led by experts in plant science, biological engineering, bioinformatics, and science communication. Recognizing the importance of collaboration in modern science, each REU student will be paired with a mentor in their research lab. These mentors will guide the students in designing an independent project that leverages their curiosity and drive while contributing to the lab’s research objectives. This project will be the primary focus for the students, culminating in their end-of-summer presentation at the annual George and Helen Kohut Symposium.

Eight of the REU students will be in labs that are part of the NSF funded 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 begin 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 a special Centennial Symposium on Thursday, August 8 and 9, from 9am-4:30pm at BTI. The symposium will be livestreamed for the public. Stay tuned to our website and social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for more updates throughout the summer!

BTI is proud to welcome the following undergraduate  researchers:

We also recently welcomed four high school students to our summer research program!