Ching-Yi (Jin) Liao, a Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology graduate student, was named a 2019 Plantae Fellow earlier this year.

Plantae selects fellows annually to help nurture and grow the plant science community. “Being named a Plantae Fellow helps me to increase visibility of my work within the plant science community and also provides the opportunity to develop my skills as a science communicator,” said Liao, who is majoring in plant biology. Her major professor is Walter E. and Helen Parke Loomis Professor of Plant Physiology Diane Bassham.

According to the Plantae website, “Plantae Fellows are selected for their interest in and enthusiasm for growing the plant science community, for their science communication and content curation skills, and for their ability to represent the global perspectives of plant scientists in various fields.”

The American Society of Plant Biologists started Plantae in 2014 as part of its “ongoing commitment to create a vibrant and engaging community for plant scientists.”