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N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative

Education & Workforce Development Platform

We develop plant science leaders.

A New Breed of Problem Solvers

The future poses challenges for food, agriculture, energy and the environment. That’s why we’re providing a unique training ground for a new breed of problem solvers.

Our scholarship programs, internships and collaborative graduate fellowships pave the way for the agile workforce of tomorrow.

We are making forward-looking investments in recruiting, training and retaining world-class plant scientists.

lifelong learning

education and workforce development

K-12

We collaborate to provide educational opportunities to K-12 students across North Carolina.

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demo lab

Demo Lab

Designed to showcase ongoing N.C. PSI research projects to the public and serves as a hands-on educational area for students, teachers, extension agents, and others groups.

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2023 PSI Hackathon

Undergraduates, Graduate Students & Beyond

We are constantly providing our N.C. PSI students and postdocs with a variety of professional development opportunities.

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Craig Yencho and Mercy Kitavi work with sweet potato samples in a lab in Nairobi, Kenya.

Internships

N.C. PSI students can receive experience from a variety of different internship opportunities.

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Fellowships and Awards

There are a variety funding opportunities for N.C. PSI students to support their education.

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Researchers in lab

Certificates

Enhance your skills and advance your education with an undergraduate or graduate certificate.

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84% of future agricultural jobs have plant science roots

We grow talent with plant science know-how.

GRAD-AID for Ag

GRAD-AID for Ag is a new graduate training program that will recruit and train two cohorts of highly motivated doctoral students at the intersection of basic and applied plant science. Students will be equipped with the ability to integrate lab-derived multi-omics datasets with field data, leveraging the statistical analyses, machine learning (ML), artificial neural networks, and other artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies to accelerate translation of basic plant science research to the field.

Selected students will receive a $37,000 annual stipend.

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Bridging Disciplines, Generating Solutions

At the annual N.C. PSI BRIDGE Symposium, graduate students and postdocs discuss creative bridges across disciplines that could lead to improvements in the economy, environment and people’s lives.

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BRIDGE Symposium participants standing at the front of a room

Researching Agricultural Challenges on the Backroads

In the second annual N.C. PSI Backroad Tour, graduate students and postdocs from several colleges visited farmers and producers across the state.

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N.C. PSI plant sciences initiative graduate students research learn from farmers and NC State Extension
Participants on the second annual N.C. PSI Backroads Tour at Gary Hendrix’s cotton farm in Hoke County.

Annual N.C. PSI Hackathon

The N.C. PSI Hackathon is an annual event that gives undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars the chance to demonstrate their skills in a 3-day competition to solve ag tech related challenges for prizes and, of course, bragging rights.

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2021 Hackathon participants in action

Learning and Applying Agricultural Data Science

NC State’s Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering and Science introduce a Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Data Science. This program combines data management and analysis techniques with computer science and statistical training to allow students to apply the processes of data mining and artificial intelligence to critical agriculture, food, and life science issues.

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Norma L. Trolinder N.C. PSI Graduate Student Endowment 

Norma and Linda Trolinder are a mother-daughter duo of preeminent researchers and have established the N.C. PSI’s first graduate student endowment to propel the future of the field they love.

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Re-thinking How We Teach Graduate Students

To address societal challenges, scientific research must be convergent: driven by compelling problems and deeply integrating scientific disciplines. AgBioFEWS students gain this capacity by working collaboratively to research how agricultural biotechnology changes agricultural landscapes and rural communities, integrating tools and cultures from the natural and social sciences.

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Terri Long

Education and Workforce Development Platform Director

Throughout her career, Long has made it her mission to inspire others to harness the power of plants. As Platform Director, she creates programs that elevate student experiences and expand understanding of plant science.

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terri headshot
Terri Long, Education and Workforce Development Platform Director, shares her vision for N.C. PSI.

NEWS FROM N.C. PSI’S EDUCATION PLATFORM

More N.C. PSI News
Joe Tiera, with laptop, and a student alongside a Phenospex robot.

Indigo Ag Adds Tech Tools to the N.C. PSI Toolbox

An ag tech company with operations in RTP donates advanced imaging tools to enhance NC State University plant sciences research. 
David Peele and granddaughters, all wearing NC State T-shirts

The Heart of the N.C. PSI: David Peele

NC State alumnus David Peele sees plant sciences students as the engines of research vital to our agricultural future, and he’s supporting their success with a gift to the N.C. PSI. 
Suhanee Anand and Olivia McCormack

The Heart of the N.C. PSI: Suhanee Anand and Olivia McCormack

Through N.C. PSI internships, two NC State undergraduates not only gain skills to prepare them for plant sciences careers, they also inspire a next generation to follow suit.