{"id":7,"date":"2021-06-14T09:29:05","date_gmt":"2021-06-14T13:29:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/plant-and-microbial-biology-new\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2026-04-30T16:15:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T20:15:42","slug":"plant-and-microbial-biology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/plant-and-microbial-biology\/","title":{"rendered":"World Renowned Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

Leaders in Our Field<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plants and microbes are the foundation of life. Advancing discoveries in plant research is essential to civilization, and that\u2019s exactly what we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our undergraduate and graduate students participate in research projects across an array of plant and microbiology disciplines \u2014 everything from biotechnology and cell biology to ecology and systematics. Students learn from experts who specialize not only in agriculturally important crops, but also those found in natural ecosystems, and model plants and microorganisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About the Department<\/span>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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PMB Seminars<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Seminars are held on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm in the Stephens Room, Thomas Hall. Refreshments are served at 3:45 pm. Want to receive announcements of our seminars? Email Dwayne Barnes (dabarnes@ncsu.edu).<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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Our department blends fundamental principles with application, research and innovative teaching in an effort to think and do the extraordinary.<\/p>\n\t \t \n

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NC State’s Jos\u00e9 Alonso Elected to National Academy of Sciences<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

Jos\u00e9 Alonso, a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and University Faculty Scholar in Plant and Microbial Biology at North Carolina State University, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the world\u2019s most important and influential scientific societies. \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n\n \n\n

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Celebrating Excellence in CALS for 2026<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

The CALS Celebration of Excellence honored more than 70 students, faculty and staff making an impact on campus and beyond. \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n\n \n\n

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Microbes Contribute a Surprisingly Large Array of Proteins in Fermented Foods<\/h3>\n \n\n \t \t

A new study examining the proteins found in fermented foods like yogurt, cheese and bread found that a surprisingly large number, and percentage, of microbial proteins contribute to their overall protein content. These microbes have long been used in traditional fermentation processes and are widely associated with the beneficial or probiotic nature of these fermented foods. \n \n \n <\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t \t \n <\/div>\n\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Upcoming Events<\/h2>\n All Events<\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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Spring 2026 Departmental Commencement Ceremony<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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Connect With Us<\/h2>

Stay current on the latest news from our department and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) by subscribing to CALS Weekly, delivered to your inbox every Thursday.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\ud83c\udf89Congratulations to Dr. Jos\u00e9 Alonso on having been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the world\u2019s most important and influential scientific societies. He is one of only two NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty members to be recognized with this honor. He was elected for distinguished and continuing achievements in original research with plant hormones, auxin and ethylene. He is one of 120 U.S. members and 25 international members elected in 2026.

\ud83c\udf31Dr. Alonso studies molecular circuits in plants to answer fundamental questions about how they grow and respond to the environment. He has focused on molecular circuits \u2014 networks within plants that respond to signals from cells and the external environment. He has explored interactions involving two plant hormones, ethylene and auxin, that control plant growth, development and responses to stress.

\ud83d\udc4fWe are incredibly excited for Dr. Alonso to receive this prestigious recognition and grateful to have him as a part of our team!

@ncstate @ncstatecals @thenasciences
#NCSU #ThinkandDo #PlantBiology #Microbiology<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ud83c\udf89Congratulations to Dr. Jos\u00e9 Alonso on having been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the world\u2019s most important and influential scientific societies. He is one of only two NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty members to be recognized with this honor. He was elected for distinguished and continuing achievements in original research with plant hormones, auxin and ethylene. He is one of 120 U.S. members and 25 international members elected in 2026.

\ud83c\udf31Dr. Alonso studies molecular circuits in plants to answer fundamental questions about how they grow and respond to the environment. He has focused on molecular circuits \u2014 networks within plants that respond to signals from cells and the external environment. He has explored interactions involving two plant hormones, ethylene and auxin, that control plant growth, development and responses to stress.

\ud83d\udc4fWe are incredibly excited for Dr. Alonso to receive this prestigious recognition and grateful to have him as a part of our team!

@ncstate @ncstatecals @thenasciences
#NCSU #ThinkandDo #PlantBiology #Microbiology<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t...<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\ud83d\udc4fCongratulations to Dr. Marcela Pierce on winning the 2025-2026 CALS Teaching Award of Merit! This is an award honoring outstanding educators who help shape academic success.

\ud83c\udf31Dr. Pierce is a cherished professor and teaches a hands-on lab in PB 422\/522 along with Dr Imara Perera! Her research focuses on vacuole biogenesis, vesicle trafficking, and plant environmental responses. This is a well-deserved honor and reflects the impact she makes every day in the classroom, the lab, and the lives of her students.

\u2728We are so proud of her and this amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Dr. Pierce!

@ncstatecals
#NCSU #ThinkandDo #PlantBiology #Microbiology<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ud83d\udc4fCongratulations to Dr. Marcela Pierce on winning the 2025-2026 CALS Teaching Award of Merit! This is an award honoring outstanding educators who help shape academic success.

\ud83c\udf31Dr. Pierce is a cherished professor and teaches a hands-on lab in PB 422\/522 along with Dr Imara Perera! Her research focuses on vacuole biogenesis, vesicle trafficking, and plant environmental responses. This is a well-deserved honor and reflects the impact she makes every day in the classroom, the lab, and the lives of her students.

\u2728We are so proud of her and this amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Dr. Pierce!

@ncstatecals
#NCSU #ThinkandDo #PlantBiology #Microbiology<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t...<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\ud83c\udf89Congratulations to Anna Yaschenko on winning the 2026 Kenneth R. Keller Award! This is an award honoring excellence in doctoral dissertation research within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).

\ud83e\udeb4Anna was a graduate student in The Alonso-Stepanova Lab studying the effect of promoter architecture on gene expression levels in plants using a synthetic transcription factor and its complementary binding motif to test synthetic constructs via agroinfiltration in tobacco.

\u2b50We are so proud of her and this amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Anna!

@ncstatecals
#NCSU #ThinkandDo #PlantBiology<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\ud83c\udf89Congratulations to Anna Yaschenko on winning the 2026 Kenneth R. Keller Award! This is an award honoring excellence in doctoral dissertation research within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).

\ud83e\udeb4Anna was a graduate student in The Alonso-Stepanova Lab studying the effect of promoter architecture on gene expression levels in plants using a synthetic transcription factor and its complementary binding motif to test synthetic constructs via agroinfiltration in tobacco.

\u2b50We are so proud of her and this amazing accomplishment! Congratulations Anna!

@ncstatecals
#NCSU #ThinkandDo #PlantBiology<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t...<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

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