American Society of Plant Biologists

American Society of Plant Biologists
Name	American Society of Plant Biologists
Founded	0 1924
Headquarters	Rockville, Maryland
Key people	Jian-Kang Zhu (President, 2023-2024)
Website	https://aspb.org/

Contents

History
Organization and governance
Publications
Meetings and conferences
Awards and recognition
See also

American Society of Plant Biologists. The American Society of Plant Biologists is a leading professional society dedicated to advancing the science of plant biology. Founded in 1924, it serves a global community of researchers, educators, and students. The society promotes discovery and dissemination of knowledge in plant sciences through its prestigious publications, major conferences, and extensive support for scientific communication and career development.

History

The society was established in 1924 as the American Society of Plant Physiologists, with foundational leadership from scientists like Benjamin Minge Duggar. Its early focus was on the emerging field of plant physiology, and it began publishing the influential journal Plant Physiology in 1926. A significant milestone occurred in 2001 when the organization changed its name to the American Society of Plant Biologists to reflect the broader, integrative scope of modern plant science, encompassing molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology. Throughout its history, the society has been instrumental in fostering pivotal research areas, from photosynthesis and hormone signaling to plant-pathogen interactions and climate change adaptation.

Organization and governance

The society is governed by an elected Executive Committee and a Board of Directors, which includes the President, President-Elect, and Past President. Notable past presidents include pioneering researchers like Maarten Koornneef and Susan R. Wessler. Day-to-day operations are managed by a professional staff headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. Key committees, such as the Publications Committee and the Conferences Committee, oversee major society functions. The membership is organized into specialized interest groups, such as those focused on plant cell biology, signal transduction, and education, which actively contribute to the society's programming and strategic direction.

Publications

The society publishes two of the most cited and respected journals in the field. The Plant Cell, launched in 1989, is a premier journal for research in plant molecular biology and cell biology. Plant Physiology, the society's founding journal, remains a top publication for integrative plant science. Both journals are published in partnership with Oxford University Press. The society also publishes the online-only, open-access journal Plant Direct, and provides valuable resources like the teaching tool The Plant Cell. These publications are supported by eminent editors-in-chief, such as Sabeeha Merchant and Michael R. Blatt.

Meetings and conferences

The society's flagship event is the annual Plant Biology meeting, a major international conference that attracts thousands of scientists from institutions like the Carnegie Institution for Science and the Max Planck Institute. This meeting features symposia, poster sessions, and workshops on topics ranging from genomics and bioinformatics to sustainable agriculture. The society also co-sponsors specialized conferences, such as the International Conference on Arabidopsis Research, and organizes the Pan-American Congress on Plants and BioEnergy. These gatherings facilitate crucial networking and collaboration among researchers from NASA, the USDA, and universities worldwide.

Awards and recognition

The society administers a prestigious suite of awards to honor excellence in plant science. The highest honor is the Stephen Hales Prize, awarded for pioneering research contributions. Other major awards include the Charles Reid Barnes Life Membership Award, the Adolph E. Gude, Jr. Award, and the Lawrence Bogorad Award for early career achievement. The society also offers significant funding through the ASPB-Pioneer Hi-Bred International Fellowship and travel awards to support students and postdoctoral researchers attending the Plant Biology meeting. Recipients of these awards include luminaries like Joanne Chory and Joseph R. Ecker.