Call for informal presentations: ASPT Curators Meeting @ Botany 2024

This year at the Botany 2024 conference (Grand Rapids, MI), the ASPT Curators Meeting will carry a theme of “Success Stories: Maintaining and Advancing Herbaria in the 21st Century”. In these times of institutional budget cuts and space limitations herbarium curators are faced with challenges in maintaining and advancing their collections. We would like you to share strategies that have led to overcoming and growing your herbaria even when it seemed institutional forces were not in your corner or challenging the necessity of maintaining the collections. We hope for an uplifting discussion around the presentations. The presentations can focus on strategies of communication with administrative bodies to promote the next generation of data that our herbaria can provide. Growing communication among herbarium curators and staff will better equip all to face growing challenges.

Call for informal presentations: We are requesting 10-20 minute informal presentations from herbarium curators or their representatives. Please provide a brief abstract with the primary theme to the Current Chair of the ASPT Systematics Collections Committee, Michael Moody, mlmoody@utep.edu. The ASPT Curators Meeting convenes on Monday Evening, June 17. It doesn’t matter the size of the herbarium collection you may represent; we just want to hear your stories as our membership is associated with a wide array of institutions. While the abstracts won’t be published in BSA Program, the speakers, titles, and themes will be circulated advertising the ASPT Curators Meeting. We look forward to hearing from you!

Thank You, ASPT Systematic Collections Committee

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/call-for-informal-presentations-aspt-curators-meeting-botany-2024

Associate Research Scientist in the field of systematics and evolution of tropical dry forest flora

Associate Research Scientist (Investigador/a Asociado/a de Tiempo Completo) in the field of systematics and evolution of tropical dry forest flora, to work at the Chamela Biological Station and its campus in Colima.

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/associate-research-scientist-in-the-field-of-systematics-and-evolution-of-tropical-dry-forest-flora

Conservation Horticulturist

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is seeking candidates to fill the position of Conservation Horticulturist. Responsible for the assistance of daily management and curation of the Garden’s Conservation Safeguarding Nursery (CSN) conservation collections located in Gainesville, GA, this position reports to the Conservation Safeguarding Nursery Coordinator. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the curation of the ex situ conservation collections of rare and endangered plants and helping to ensure the nursery’s physical structures and systems operate efficiently and effectively. This position is based full-time in Gainesville, GA but requires occasional trips to the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Midtown Atlanta location, and some occasional travel to field sites.

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/conservation-horticulturist

Conservation Genetics Laboratory Technician

The Conservation Genetics Lab Technician will assist with laboratory procedures related to several ongoing projects in the Conservation Genetics Laboratory in the Conservation & Research Department at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/conservation-genetics-laboratory-technician

Student travel award lottery for Botany 2024 now open

The ASPT Membership Committee is happy to announce that the popular student travel award lottery from previous years will be continued this year. Travel awards are anticipated to comprise $300 each to attend Botany 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Please see the instructions, below.
 
Advisors, please encourage those students who do not have full funding for conference travel to apply! Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply. All students must be current members of ASPT and must present at the conference; enrollment status will be verified. In addition, only students who did not receive a travel award last year are eligible to apply. 
 
The application process is straightforward and implemented as a Google form [https://forms.gle/aTL1hPcczvTX4hHfA] where the student enters their contact information and attendance plan for Botany 2024; part of the requirement is a one-line confirmation of status by their advisor to ASPT (businessoffice@aspt.net) to confirm that the student is enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a degree-granting institution. 
 
All applications will enter into a single pool, from which winners will be drawn randomly. If the student purchases an ASPT awards reception ticket, the amount of the grant will be increased to cover the additional cost of that ticket. A PDF of the student’s registration receipt will be required, and the receipt should show the ASPT awards reception ticket purchase. Recipients of the travel awards will receive their award in the form of reimbursement checks at the conference site.
 
Please note that applications must be received by 15 May 2024. All applicants will be notified by June 1. The application form is at [https://forms.gle/aTL1hPcczvTX4hHfA]
 
For Botany 2024 information, visit the conference website at https://2024.botanyconference.org/.
 
Sincerely,
The ASPT Membership Committee
 
 
Membership Renewal Instructions:
*Go to the Welcome Page at members.aspt.net
*Click on the "Membership Payments” link to renew a membership or to submit a new application.
*At the Membership Payments page: Renewing members, please login before you submit your membership renewal form online whether you will be making an immediate payment by credit card or sending a check. The ASPT Business Office can easily supply you with your login information upon request to businessoffice@aspt.net.  Do not hesitate to ask.
 
New Members: Please go to the ASPT Welcome page and scroll down the page to read the instructions for submitting your new membership application.

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/student-travel-award-lottery-for-botany-2024-now-open

Eagle Hill Institute’s 2024 Vascular Plants and Related Seminars

Eagle Hill Institute’s 2024 Vascular Plants and Related Seminars

Eagle Hill is right on the coast of Eastern Maine, between Acadia National Park and Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge. 

Jun 30 - Jul 6

Grasses and Sedges as a Way to Read the Landscape

Brett Engstrom and Jerry Jenkins

Jul 14 - 20

Grass Identification: An In-depth Review

Dennis Magee and Rick Van de Poll

Jul 28 – Aug 3

Natural Communities of the Maine Coast: An In-depth Experience for Field Botanists and Naturalists

Robert Wernerehl and Kristen Puryear

Aug 4 - 10

Submersed and Emergent Aquatic Flowering Plant

C. Barre Hellquist

Aug 11 - 17

Ferns and Lycophytes: Identification, Biology, and Natural History

Robbin Moran, Carl Taylor, Alejandra Vasco

Aug 25 - 31

Pressing Plants for Art and Science

Daniel Atha

Sep 8 - 14

Identification of Trees and Woody Plants of the Northern Forest: A Wholistic Approach

Erika Mitchell


For general information, the registration form, seminar flyers, and a complete calendar:

https://eaglehill.us/programs/sems-weeklong/calendar-weeklong.shtml

If you have any questions about the content of the seminar, please reach out to the seminar instructor(s), whose contact info can be found on the seminar flyer. If a seminar you are interested in is full, and you would like to be put on the waitlist, please fill out the application form.

If you have any questions about registering for the seminar, please contact us at office@eaglehill.us.

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/eagle-hill-institutes-2024-vascular-plants-and-related-seminars

Open-rank tenure-track in Biological Sciences at Tarleton State University

Open-rank tenure-track/tenured positions in Biological Sciences at Tarleton State University

The Department of Biological Sciences at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, invites applications for multiple open-rank, full-time (9-month), tenure-track/tenured positions to begin Fall 2024. Competitive salary and startup commensurate with experience. The successful candidates will support a new Ph.D. in Integrated Biosciences (proposed to start Fall 2025, pending final approvals) and contribute to existing B.S. and M.S. programs in Biology, Biomedical Science, and Biotechnology depending on need and expertise. We are specifically looking for individuals working in the areas of Plant Taxonomy and Physiology.

Academic and professional service are required as outlined in the Tarleton State University Faculty and Administrative Staff Handbook at www.tarleton.edu.

Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching requirements indicate.

Requires the ability to teach and/or work remotely at the University’s discretion.

Responsibilities:
Teaching: Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the candidate's area of expertise, as well as contribute to core courses in the biological sciences as needed.
Research: Establish and maintain an active, externally funded research program in Plant Taxonomy and Plant Physiology. Contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field through scholarly publications and presentations.
Mentorship: Provide mentorship and guidance to undergraduate, M.S. and Ph.D. students. Supervise graduate student theses and dissertations. Service: Engage in departmental and university service activities. Contribute to the academic community through committee work and collaboration with colleagues.

Minimum Requirements: Earned Ph.D. in biology or related field with an emphasis in ecology or evolutionary biology from an accredited institution preferred, but other related areas of interest will be considered. A record of scholarly achievements, including publications in reputable journals. Demonstrated success or potential for securing external research funding. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching and mentoring undergraduate, M.S., and Ph.D. students. Rank and eligibility for tenure will be determined by reviewing the candidate’s record of years of experience and professional achievements in teaching and service consistent with the Texas A&M System policy. Other Minimum Requirements Primary consideration will be given to those with the ability to teach courses in mammalogy or plant taxonomy and plant physiology and to applications received by 19 February 2024.

Preferred Experience Preference will be given to any applicants with postdoctoral experience, evidence of established research expertise, experience mentoring doctoral students, and record of funding. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Demonstrated ability in the discipline and clear promise of teaching excellence as evidenced in evaluation by peers, department head, or college dean. Demonstrated ability for impactful, continuous scholarly contribution. Documented yearly progress of professional achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service.

About the New Ph.D. Program and Institution The Ph.D. in Integrative Biosciences, scheduled to launch in Fall 2025 (pending final approvals), includes four tracks for students: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Neuroscience, and Quantitative Biology. The goal of the program is to provide students with intensive training and experience in collaborative aspects of integrative biosciences. A strong interdisciplinary focus will be emphasized as students representing the four concentrations will interact in the program's core courses. Tarleton State University, a member of the Texas A&M System, has a 173-acre main campus in Stephenville, Texas, outreach campuses in Waco, Fort Worth, and online, and operates the 790-acre Timberlake Biological Field Station in southern Mills County. Tarleton hosts more than 15,000 students and more than 1,900 full-time faculty and staff. Tarleton has recently gained status as an R2 Institution, ranked as a Doctoral University with high research activity and is highly committed to advancing the research infrastructure and culture at our Institution. Tarleton lists enhancing “Research and Innovation” on its strategic growth plan.

Application packets only accepted on-line at https://www.tarleton.edu/jobs Required Application Materials Completed online application Letter of interest Updated CV Teaching philosophy statement (3-page limit) Research statement (3-page limit) List of 3-5 professional references (references will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates) Unofficial transcripts Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by 19 February 2024. Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree‐granting institution before a letter of appointment is issued.

A founding member of The Texas A&M University System, Tarleton transforms generations by inspiring discovery, leadership and inclusion through teaching and research. Degree programs for more than 15,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, at A&M RELLIS at Bryan, and online emphasize real world learning that addresses regional needs while sustaining the values of excellence, integrity and respect. Tarleton State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer. As a member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton will provide equal opportunity for employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity through The Texas A&M System.

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/open-rank-tenure-track-in-biological-sciences-at-tarleton-state-university

Botanical Advocacy and Service Grant Application extended

The Botanical Society of America (BSA) and the American Society of Plant Taxonomists (ASPT) are pleased to invite applications for the annual Botanical Advocacy and Service Grant. This grant supports efforts to shape public policy, make broader impacts, and connect the public, and/or policy makers to the botanical sciences in a meaningful way.

The grant recipient will receive $1000 to be used in the proposed project and will be recognized at the annual Botany meeting during the awards ceremony.

Grant recipients will be required to submit a brief summary of their activities with an image to the Plant Science Bulletin (PSB) by August 15th of the following year. This synopsis will appear in the Fall issue of the PSB and is intended to highlight the impact of the recipient’s efforts in shaping public policy and awareness of plant-related issues.

Application Deadline EXTENDED to May 1, 2024
All active members of BSA and ASPT are eligible to apply.

https://botany.org/home/awards/special-funds-and-awards/botany-advocacy-leadership-grant.html

Permalink: https://www.aspt.net/news-blog/2024/botanical-advocacy-and-service-grant-application-extended