September 12

Session 1 - Networking Part 1

End of Day 1

September 13

Session 2 - Plenary Session

Session 3 - Wind and Waves: Plant Science in a Changing Climate: Adaptation, Resilience, and Sustainable Solutions

As climate change accelerates, plants face increasing challenges from extreme temperatures, drought, salinity, and shifting ecosystems. This session will explore the latest advances in plant adaptation and resilience strategies, focusing on molecular, physiological, and ecological responses to climate stress. Discussions will highlight innovative breeding approaches, biotechnological interventions, and nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture. By integrating cutting-edge research with practical applications, this session aims to provide insights into building climate-resilient crops and ecosystems, ensuring food security and environmental sustainability in an era of rapid change.

Session 4 - Shoreline: Biotic Interactions in Plant Science: From Molecular Mechanisms to Ecosystem Dynamics

Plants exist in complex networks of interactions with microbes, insects, and other organisms that shape their growth, health, and adaptation. This session will delve into the diverse biotic interactions that influence plant function, from molecular signaling in symbiotic relationships to large-scale ecosystem dynamics. Topics will include plant-microbe associations, pathogen defense mechanisms, mycorrhizal symbioses, and the role of plant interactions in ecosystem stability. By bridging molecular insights with ecological perspectives, this session aims to uncover new strategies for enhancing plant health, improving crop productivity, and promoting biodiversity in natural and agricultural systems.

Lunch Break - 12:55 - 2:30 p.m.

Session 5 - Deep Waters: Integrative Omics, Systems, and Synthetic Biology Approaches in Plant Science

Unraveling the complexity of plant biology requires a systems-level understanding of gene regulation, metabolic networks, and cellular dynamics. This session will explore cutting-edge omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and their integration into systems and synthetic biology approaches to decode plant function. Discussions will highlight breakthroughs in multi-omics data analysis, predictive modeling, and the engineering of novel plant traits for improved stress tolerance, nutrient use efficiency, and biosynthetic capabilities. By leveraging these advanced tools, researchers are unlocking new possibilities for precision crop improvement and sustainable agriculture in a rapidly changing world.

Poster Session II - 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. 

End of Day 2

September 14

Session 6 - Networking Part 2

End of Day 3

Note: Posters to be taken down by 12pm on September 14