Keynote Speaker – Nicola Patron, PhD
Nicola is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge using synthetic biology approaches to understand the production of plant specialised metabolites, and to investigate how quantitative plant traits emerge from network functions. Her lab develops tools and technologies for plant biotechnology, with the aim of driving innovation in agriculture and biomanufacturing. Nicola has a PhD in plant molecular biology and did post-doctoral research on plastid metabolism at the John Innes Centre and the University of British Columbia. As a SynBioLEAP fellow, she was recognised as an emerging leader in synthetic biology. Nicola is a co-founder of Black in Plant Science.
Keynote Speaker – Kevin Cox, PhD
Kevin is a HHMI Hanna Gray Fellow who is an Assistant Professor in Biology at WashU and an Assistant Member/Principal Investigator at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. Kevin earned his Bachelor’s (B.S.) in Biology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2013. He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology at Texas A&M University in Libo Shan’s lab in 2018, where he studied the molecular mechanism of a cotton disease called Bacterial Blight of Cotton. Afterwards, he joined the Danforth Center for his post-doctoral experience in Blake Meyers’ lab, where he focused on developing methods to study spatial gene expression in plants. Kevin started his role as a joint faculty member at WashU and the Danforth Center in July 2024. His lab is interested in understanding how genes are spatially organized in plant tissues and how cells use those genes to communicate with other cells, especially in response to stresses.
Cultivate: Meet our Summer Studentship Cohort
Chair: Steven Spoel
Speakers: Noir Tucker, Hamda Hassan
Meet the students from the second year of our Summer Studentship Programme!
Join us to hear directly from these emerging talents about their experiences
and insights gained over the summer. Discover the impact of the
programme and celebrate the achievements of the next generation of plant
scientists.
Celebrate: Meet our Research Excellence Awardees
Chair: Jade Bleau
Speakers: Crispus Mbaluto, Charlene Dambire
Meet this year’s award winners of the Research Excellence Award!
Learn more about their contributions to the plant sciences from the beginning of their careers to date. Including their most recent experience at ICAR 2025.
Panel: The Journey of Plants through Black Botanist
Chair: Mikhaela Neequaye
Speakers: Jade Bleau, Cargo Movement, Dr Christine Eyene, Jessica Ashman
Join us for an inspiring and educational panel exploring the profound connections between plants, people, and the powerful legacy of Black botanists throughout history and today.
In The Journey of Plants through Black Botanists, we’ll trace the scientific, cultural, and spiritual journeys of plants across continents and generations—through the lens of Black scholars, horticulturists, and plant lovers who have shaped our understanding of the natural world.
Workshop: Culturally sensitive mentoring
Chair: Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso
Speakers: Chloe Lewis, Katherine Hubbard, Sally Osei-Appiah
Cultivate: Inclusive Academic and Professional Growth
In today’s diverse research and academic environments, mentoring must go beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. This interactive workshop equips mentors with the tools to engage meaningfully across cultures. Participants will explore identity, bias, and communication strategies to foster inclusive, supportive mentoring relationships that empower mentees from all backgrounds.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand cultural dynamics and their influence on mentorship.
- Identify and address unconscious biases.
- Develop frameworks for culturally responsive mentoring practices.
Ideal For: Academic mentors, research supervisors, graduate advisors, and institutional leaders.
Workshop: Working beyond academia, different routes
Chair: John Baison
Speakers: Bharat Pokhrel, Brian Chimzinga, LDM
Connect: Broadening Horizons for Researchers and Scholars
Academic careers are just one path among many. This workshop guides participants through the varied landscape of professional opportunities beyond the university setting. From industry to policy, entrepreneurship to NGOs, learn how to identify transferable skills, build relevant networks, and confidently pivot into fulfilling careers.
Key Takeaways:
- Map transferable research skills to alternative sectors.
- Gain insights from professionals who transitioned successfully.
- Build a personalized strategy for career exploration and planning.
Ideal For: Graduate students, postdocs, early-career researchers, and those considering a career change.
Workshop: Delivering Impact on African Crops
Chair: Nicola Patron
Speakers: Katherine Denby, Oluwaseyi Shorinola, Beatrice Ifie
Connect: Working with African crops and scientists.
This workshop will feature a panel of plant scientists focussed on resilient and nutritious crops for Africa. They will discuss the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of researching African plants, collaborating with African scientists, and their contributions to capacity building and the integration of innovative technologies into African research.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn about Africa’s nutritious local crop species
- Gain insights into funding international collaborations
- Discuss how training and equitable partnerships can impact African agricultural science and innovation
Ideal for: Graduate students, postdocs, established researchers, funders.