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Department of Plant and Microbial Biology

CALS alumna Kim Shearer

Jun 13, 2017

AgPack Strong: A World of Possibilities

Kim Shearer is the tree and shrub breeder at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Ill. Find out how she landed her dream job -- and why plants make her happy. 

Jenny Xiang surrounded by a flowering dogwood in full bloom.

Apr 5, 2017

Xiang Explores the Evolutionary History of Dogwood Diversity

With flowering dogwoods in full bloom, NC State's Jenny Xiang takes time out to discuss her research to understand more about the intriguing evolutionary history of its genus. 

Three people examine plants in a large, lighted chamber.

Jan 13, 2017

Phytotron Stands the Test of Time

In the growth chambers and greenhouses of the Phytotron, researchers find ways to improve agriculture, the environment and even transportation and medicine. 

Dr. Alexander Krings holds a folder containing one of the Vascular Plant Herbarium's plant specimens.

Nov 28, 2016

Faculty Focus: Behind the Scenes in the Vascular Plant Herbarium

NC State University’s Vascular Plant Herbarium Director describes what it’s like to look after more than a hundred thousand plant specimens – and why it’s important. 

Group examines sample in lab

Sep 8, 2016

Gates Foundation Grant Fuels NC State Study of Devastating Crop Disease

An ongoing NC State University partnership to defeat a disease of a key African food crop got a boost recently when the project received a $2.15 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Antonio Alonso-Stepanov with his parents in their growth chamber at NC State.

Aug 29, 2016

The Next Science Guy?

We all know that GMOs are controversial, but what, exactly, are they? For a matter-of-fact explanation, check out the short animated video that Antonio Alonso-Stepanov created for YouTube. 

NC State University's belltower, lit in celebratory red as vehicles pass through a roundabout at night.

Aug 15, 2016

NC State Boosts Efforts to Commercialize Research Discoveries

CALS' Dr. Heike Sederoff is among Chancellor's Innovation Fund winners leading innovative projects designed to turn great ideas into real-world products and solutions. 

Charles Wagner walking along a mountainside

Aug 9, 2016

Student Spotlight: Wagner Helps Validate Traditional Plant-Based Medicines

Undergraduate research can take students to some interesting places. Recent Plant Biology graduate Charles Wagner (BS ’16) knows that well. Wagner spent most of the summer of 2015 on the Isle of Arran in southwest Scotland as an intern with two master herbalists from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine. 

Sirius Li

Jul 11, 2016

Li Wins Early Career Award

Dr. Xu “Sirius” Li, NC State University assistant professor of plant and microbial biology, was recently named a winner of the Phytochemical Society of North America’s Arthur C. Neish Young Investigator Award. 

Phytotron director Dr. Carole Saravitz inside and outside of the chambers.

Jun 21, 2016

Phytotron Facelift and Plant Research

NC State University's Phytotron is ready to tackle 21st century challenges of food and energy security. The National Science Foundation features the laboratory for growing plants under various combinations of strictly controlled environmental conditions in its Science Nation video series.