As summer draws to a close I hope you are enjoying a garden harvest from your own backyard or a nearby farm. A garden is a simple reminder of where our food comes from.
In new research Gary Blissard at BTI and Michael Kanost of Kansas State University were co-senior authors on a large international project to sequence the tobacco hornworm genome. As an example of the global nature of today’s collaborative research environment, the project included 114 researchers from 50 institutions and 11 countries.
Board member Greg Galvin’s company Rheonix has offered generous support of our education and outreach programs. We are grateful for Greg’s enthusiasm and interest in inspiring the next generation of scientists.
We are sad to share the news of the passing of Ralph Hardy, the institute's 5th president, on August 2. He will be dearly missed. We are planning a remembrance event later this fall.
Finally, we invite you to come see our latest art exhibit. The plant-themed works feature photography, poetry and sculpture. You can stop by anytime during the week from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and view the show.
With best wishes,
David Stern
BTI President and CEO
SCIENCE NEWS
A very hungry caterpillar makes headlines
Photo by Daniel Schwen
The ‘gluttonous’ tobacco hornworm, a large caterpillar, can measure up to 4 inches in length and is known as a garden pest with a ravenous appetite. Their large size makes them ideal to conduct investigations into all areas of insect growth and development. Blissard and colleagues recently sequenced the genome, which is an incredible resource for researchers studying topics such as insect-virus interactions and the similarities and differences between human and caterpillar immune systems. Read More
Rheonix makes pledge to support Education and Outreach at BTI
Rheonix, founded by BTI board member Greg Galvin, is providing a $30,000 gift over the next three years in support of BTI's STEM education programs. Read More
“As someone who was fortunate enough to know and work with Ralph, I have immense gratitude for the opportunity he gave me by hiring me in 1989,” said current President and CEO David Stern. Read More
People Behind the Science Interview with David Stern
Tune in to episode 358 of the People Behind the Science podcast hosted by Dr. Marie McNeely for an interview with BTI President Dr. David Stern. Read More
