Author: nikiwalden

The University of Georgia’s Integrated Plant Sciences (IPS) program is excited to be hosting a virtual Access Preview week!

IPS is a central graduate program focusing on a breadth of plant research topics. This program grants laboratory rotations during the first semester before committing to an advisor and lab. (https://ips.uga.edu/) 

Access Preview Week with UGA IPS is hosted by UGA graduate students affiliated with the UGA Plant Center, a group that provides collaboration across research specialties in the plant sciences (https://plantcenter.uga.edu/). This program aims to increase access to the Integrated Plant Sciences program for historically under-represented groups. This is a **free event** and open to US domestic students or international students at US institutions who are interested in pursuing graduate school in the plant or fungal sciences.

This program offers prospective students guidance on applying to the IPS program. Participation in this event will include the following resources:

• Facilitated meetings with potential faculty mentors
• Individualized application feedback from current IPS graduate students
• A live graduate student panel (via Zoom).

Individuals who participate in this program will also have their application fee ($75) to our graduate school waived for application to the Integrated Plant Sciences Program.

To accommodate as many students as possible, faculty meetings and application feedback will be scheduled based on the student’s availability! Additionally, the live Q&A panel will be based on the availability of the group selected to participate in this program.

​Applicants will be evaluated based on interest, availability, and need (e.g., lack of mentorship about graduate school, barriers to access, belonging to marginalized or historically excluded groups in STEM). You will NOT be evaluated based on your level of research experience or traditional academic merit (e.g. GPA, coursework, statement of purpose, CV). 

To apply, follow the link below. 

Applications are due October 23rd, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

tinyurl.com/IPSPreview 

Do not hesitate to reach out with questions at ugaipsaccesspreview​@gmail.com.

We hope that you will be able to join us for the Plant Center Annual Retreat on December 13-14, 2023 at the Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris, Georgia.  The Professional Development Workshop will begin on 12/13/23 in the morning followed by the full conference.

This year’s speakers include Dr. Julie Law, Salk Institute for Biological Studies; Dr. Margaret Frank, Cornell University; Dr. Feng Zhang, University of Minnesota; Dr. Jim Umen, Danforth Plant Science Center, and Dr. Jim Birchler, University of Missouri. Some of UGA’s newest faculty researchers will also present information about their labs and research programs.

The retreat will also include a poster competition on the evening of 12/13/23 and a the Plant Center faculty meeting on 12/14/23.  Registration will open on 10/16/23 and run through 11/10/23 so please plan to register early so space can be allocated for everyone who wants to attend.

Registration link: https://ugeorgia.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3HK10fAHQ9Lr6fA