Skip to main content

N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative

Man leaning against a fence post, with grain bins in the background.

Feb 9, 2021

PSI Profile: Chris Reberg-Horton, Platform Director for Resilient Agricultural Systems

The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative's platform director for resilient agricultural systems shares thoughts on the position, the initiative, agriculture and NC State. 

Ross Sozzani headshot

Feb 8, 2021

PSI Profile: Ross Sozzani, Platform Director for Plant Improvement

The plant improvement platform director for the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative shares her vision: collaboration, innovative crop technologies and students ready for the workforce. 

A man wearing a white hard hat at the construction site of the new N.C. PSI building.

Jan 18, 2021

PSI Profile: Geoff Bock, Interim Director of Operations

One of the first people tapped with turning the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative vision into a reality was CALS alumnus Geoff Bock. Hired in 2016 as the project manager, Bock now also serves as the interim director of operations. 

Man with drone flying over farm field

Dec 8, 2020

Initiatives to Make N.C. Agriculture a $100 Billion Powerhouse

Three major NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences initiatives aim to transform agriculture and agribusiness. 

several sweet potatoes in a crate

Nov 30, 2020

Partner Profile: North Carolina SweetPotato Commission

The commission is specifically interested in identifying new varieties of sweetpotatoes that are resistant to pests and disease, easier to harvest and require less infrastructure for curing, all while protecting taste and quality standards. 

Cranos Williams in front of Hunt Library

Nov 18, 2020

PSI Profile: Cranos Williams, Platform Director for Data-Driven Plant Sciences

Cranos Williams, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been named the director of the Data-Driven Plant Sciences platform for the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative. 

Hannah Burrack in front of a corn field.

Oct 21, 2020

PSI Profile: Hannah Burrack, Director of Education and Outreach

Hannah Burrack, a professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, was recently appointed the Director of Education and Outreach for the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative. 

Hannah Burrack in front of a corn field.

Oct 7, 2020

N.C. PSI Names New Platform Directors

The North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative named four new platform directors and the interim director of operations. These leaders will guide the initiative’s research, Extension and education activities. 

sweet potatoes in crate

Sep 23, 2020

NC State Team Finds Solution for Sweetpotato Problem

An NC State team led by Jonathan Schultheis has determined a new curing process that greatly reduces internal necrosis in Covington sweetpotatoes. This will save N.C. sweetpotato producers millions of dollars in crop loss. 

Group of people in a tobacco field that's being harvested

Sep 23, 2020

Collins Continues Support for Agricultural Innovation

Bill Collins and Ann Collins named a study room in the new Plant Sciences Building. Learn why they feel supporting the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative is vital for the future of North Carolina.