Our 2026 Research Experiences for Undergraduates application is open! This experience provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in research and professional development with a community of researchers. Visit https://cstu.io/720b02. Applications close 2/2.

2025 was a year of bold discoveries at BTI. Check out our Top 5 stories of the year and join us in celebrating the research that is shaping agriculture, health, and science. We can’t wait to see what discoveries 2026 will bring. https://cstu.io/9766ce

Warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season. We're grateful for your support of our mission to advance plant science for a more sustainable, resilient, and healthy world. Thank you for being part of our community and helping build a future where plant science nourishes both people and planet.

2025 REU alum Hazel Frans shares tips for crafting a strong application, from highlighting your strengths to building confidence in your personal statement: https://cstu.io/1df4ea. Interested in plant science and research? Our 2026 REU application is open until Feb 2! https://cstu.io/9e8602.

Proud of our REU alumni! Several members of our 2025 cohort attended ABRCMS in Seattle—and huge congrats to Ankai Jin for earning an Outstanding Poster Award for work in the Kelly Robbins Lab! Applications for our 2026 REU Program are OPEN! https://reu.btiscience.org/

BTI was delighted to host the 2025-2026 cohort of Cornell University Humphrey Fellows for a hands-on tour of our facilities last week. Fellows re-potted tomatoes, experienced the Phenosight, and discussed portable DNA sequencing technology.

A new feature in @knowablemag.bsky.app explores the remarkable strategies animals use to meet their nutritional needs. The story highlights insights from BTI’s Georg Jander, who discusses how plants may actively shape their amino acid profiles as a defense against seed-eaters. https://cstu.io/3333cb

Four crops dominate global food. Hundreds of nutritious alternatives sit underutilized. BTI researchers just showed how #CRISPR can change that—engineering compact goldenberry plants that are 35% shorter and ready for commercial farming. btiscience.org/explore-bti/... #PlantScience

Fay-Wei Li was interviewed by Ologies Podcast, a top 5 science show in Apple podcasts! Tune in to hear about fern evolution, ferns not to have in your house, the most expensive ferns, tastiest ferns, mathematical mysteries, and a genome that makes no sense. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

We're thrilled to share that 8 BTI faculty members were named among the top 2% of most cited scientists worldwide. Congrats to our recognized researchers: Zhangjun Fei, Jim Giovannoni, Maria Harrison, Georg Jander, Lukas Mueller, Eric Richards, David Stern, and Joyce Van Eck.

On this Giving Tuesday, we thank you for sharing our journey of scientific discovery. Your belief in the power of science strengthens our work to advance sustainable agriculture, protect the environment, and improve human health. Together, we are creating lasting change for people and the planet.

Today we’re grateful for everyone who believes in the power of plant science to build a healthier, more resilient world. Your support fuels discoveries that protect our food systems and help communities thrive. Enjoy a bonus recipe from our Plant-Powered Thanksgiving series: recipes.btiscience.org

Warm up with our Fireside Fall Latte. BTI scientists study plant defense compounds like caffeine to understand how plants interact with their environment and shape our lives. We hope you’ve enjoyed the series! Find more at recipes.btiscience.org

Heirloom Tomato & Herb Salad is next in our Plant-Powered Thanksgiving series. BTI and partners are using wild tomato diversity and new breeding tools to boost drought and disease resilience. Try the recipe, then visit recipes.btiscience.org for the full cookbook.

Cozy Creamed Corn is the next dish in our Plant-Powered Thanksgiving series. BTI scientists are improving corn with genome editing to boost resilience, yield, and nutrition. Try the recipe, then visit recipes.btiscience.org to get the full cookbook.

The next dish in our Plant-Powered Thanksgiving series: Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes. BTI scientists decoded the sweet potato’s complex genome, paving the way for more resilient, nutritious, and climate-ready crops. Visit recipes.btiscience.org to learn more and download the full cookbook.

Discover the first recipe in our Plant-Powered Thanksgiving series: a Ground Cherry Tart inspired by BTI research. See how our scientists are turning this overlooked fruit into a resilient, sustainable crop — then try the recipe and tag us to share your creation!

The “Hello, Human!” exhibit at Cornell’s Mann Library highlights ways CROPPS researchers are uncovering plant communication and using technology to help us respond. It showcases projects by CROPPS scientists at Cornell and partner institutions, including BTI. news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

BTI's NSF REU Program is training the next generation of plant scientists. Check out this video the researchers made to show what it’s all about! Applications for 2026 are open: reu.btiscience.org Thanks to @ScienceIRL for the awesome video! www.instagram.com/science_irl/

BTI alumni take top honors at FuzeHub’s 2025 Commercialization Competition! Congratulations to Alexa Schmitz (founder of REEgen) and Murli Manohar (founder of CryoBio) for winning 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 at the FuzeHub pitch competition last week.

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻 Meet the monster that destroyed potato fields and still lurks today. But there’s hope and scientists are fighting back! Watch the video and read more: btiscience.org/explore-bti/... youtube.com/shorts/Q_orZ...

👻 With Halloween just around the corner, we asked some members of our BTI community what would really scare them in a haunted house 🎃😱

No drama when the day features a llama. And it's not so 'ruff' when you get to enjoy some doggy fluff. Thanks Cornell Companions for stopping by!

Yesterday BTI hosted our Fall Community Lunch, a perfect break to connect, chat, and get festive! 🍂 From pumpkin decorating to tasty fall treats, it was all about good food and great company. Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun!

PlantGene's CRISPR Help Session Part II is an interactive Q&A event. The audience will have an opportunity to ask specific questions to expert speakers Chung-Jui Tsai and Joshua Clem about analysis of edited lines. Register here: cornell.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #Biotechnology #CRISPR

BTI is hiring a tenure-track Assistant Professor in plant science or related fields. Join a collaborative research community advancing discoveries to improve agriculture, the environment, and human health. Learn more & apply btiscience.org/get-involved/careers Please share with your networks!

🍃 🧬 Now on BasilBase - A high-quality, contiguous #basil reference #genome! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... In cooperation with @nupress.bsky.social , @btiscience.bsky.social & Chicago botanical garden.

The @btiscience.bsky.social September Kudos winner was my incredible labmate, Angie! Not only is she a pro #mycologist and #plantpathologist, she is so generous with her time and always willing to help a colleague.

Congrats to Ascribe Bio on their $12M Series A to launch Phytalix®, a new biofungicide delivering sustainable, effective disease control for farmers worldwide — a major milestone born from years of collaboration at BTI. 🌱 www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...

Shape the future of #PlantScience! BTI, affiliated with Cornell, seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor to drive discovery in plant biology. Review of applications begins November. Apply: recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/J...

Now accepting applications for the Jane Silverthorne Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at BTI! 🌿 Supporting bold scientists tackling plant science frontiers with cross-disciplinary approaches. Full funding for high-risk, high-reward research. Apply by Jan 15, 2026! 🧬 spf.btiscience.org

BTI’s Post Graduate Society (PGS) recently held their annual symposium, a full day celebrating science with poster sessions, talks, and great opportunities to connect.

A reminder and new link! Join AGROSAVIA & BTI for a workshop on how pangenomes are transforming genomics, breeding & agriculture! Oct 1, 2025 | 9–4 US / 8–3 COL For students, postdocs & researchers in #PlantScience. Register: www.agrosavia.co/eventos/ft_1...

Join AGROSAVIA & BTI for a workshop on how pangenomes are transforming genomics, breeding & agriculture! Oct 1, 2025 | 9–4 US / 8–3 COL For students, postdocs & researchers in #PlantScience. Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4e70c4...

New on H-Sci-Med-Tech: Check out Eric J. Richards (@btiscience.bsky.social)‬’s review of @mattholmes.bsky.social’s book _The Graft Hybrid: Challenging Twentieth-Century Genetics_ pub 2024 @upittpress.bsky.social ‬ #HSTM Review available @hnetreviews.bsky.social www.h-net.org/reviews/show...

Sarah Siegle spent her summer in BTI’s REU program exploring how lignin in corn affects nitrification and how genomic models can predict lignin content. Along the way, she gained five key insights and reflects on her time at BTI as a season of growth and inspiration. btiscience.org/explore-bti/...

This summer, Hazel Frans studied cold tolerance in Arabidopsis at BTI. She built research skills, explored Ithaca with friends, and connected with fellow students, an experience that deepened her passion for plant biology and prepared her for grad school. btiscience.org/explore-bti/...

Paul Kuehnert went from woodworking to plant science. Through the BTI REU program, he gained lab experience, confidence, and a clear goal: pursuing graduate study in plant breeding. btiscience.org/explore-bti/...

Join AGROSAVIA & BTI for a workshop on how pangenomes are transforming genomics, breeding & agriculture! Oct 1, 2025 | 9–4 US / 8–3 COL For students, postdocs & researchers in #PlantScience. Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4e70c4...

Tetianna Smith-Drysdale spent the summer expanding her research experience and scientific understanding through the REU program at the BTI. Her journey has been shaped by curiosity, determination, and a passion for the hidden world of life under our feet. btiscience.org/explore-bti/...

Abby Stathis spent the summer at BTI uncovering how microbes shape plant disease. From culturing bacteria, to running field experiments, she dove deep into molecular biology while learning from mentors who inspired her. Read Abby's story of curiosity and discovery. btiscience.org/explore-bti/...

Check out part 2 of WSKG’s Excursion Lab Series filmed at BTI! Julie Bell, Plant Growth Facility Manager, shows how plants are grown in high-tech greenhouses and growth chambers. youtu.be/Cm5fCBdrR_c?...

BTI scientists discovered how Phytophthora infestans (Irish Potato Famine culprit) can “switch” fungicide resistance ON after one low dose, then OFF when the threat passes. A new survival strategy with big implications for protecting potatoes & tomatoes: btiscience.org/explore-bti/... #PlantScience

This summer, BTI welcomed 34 undergrads + 3 high school students for 10 weeks of hands-on research, community outreach, and new friendships. Hear their stories and see how they grew as scientists and people: btiscience.org/explore-bti/... youtu.be/RkDryO8O05Y

The 2025 BTI PGS Symposium is happening Sept. 23. Open to all members of the BTI + Cornell community. Register by Sept. 9 to attend or present! A day of research, connections, and great food awaits. Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Your feed is probably full of #BackToSchool posts with kids sharing their dreams and goals for the future. We thought it would be fun to check in with our plants too! Just like those heading back to school, our plants also are hard at work chasing big goals.

WSKG visited BTI for their Excursion Lab Series. In part one, Dr. Magdalena Julkowska introduces phenotyping, using imaging to track plant growth, health & adaptation. youtu.be/tGs-caursWw?...

This summer, undergrads from across the U.S. joined the NSF-funded CROPPS REU, working on cutting-edge projects in digital biology. Through mentorship, workshops, & lab experience, they gained skills and confidence in the future of plant science. news.cornell.edu/stories/2025...

Our summer researchers brought plant science to 90 campers at the YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County! Younger kids explored nature with bingo and leaf-press art, while older campers learned to ID trees and made UV leaf prints. A day full of discovery, creativity, and the wonder of plants!

Check out this awesome video recap of the Summer Research Experience program created by REU student Camila Hoyos Ayala! Are you an alum of our summer research program? If so, what is one of your favorite memories? Video by Camila Hoyos Ayala.