Boyce Thompson Institute
@btiscience.bsky.social
Discovery inspired by plants. Click the link to explore more about BTI and for our “House Rules” for Social Media Comments. linktr.ee/BTIScience
Great science is only the beginning.
The Cane-Bridge Foundation is helping BTI bridge the gap between discovery and real-world impact — supporting everything from guayule research and crop disease solutions to advanced microscopy, phenotyping and Project Vault!
btiscience.org/beyond-the-g...
The Cane-Bridge Foundation is helping BTI bridge the gap between discovery and real-world impact — supporting everything from guayule research and crop disease solutions to advanced microscopy, phenotyping and Project Vault!
btiscience.org/beyond-the-g...
Beyond the Grant: How the Cane-Bridge Foundation Is Helping BTI Turn Discovery into Impact - Boyce Thompson Institute
A shrub that grows wild in the deserts of the American Southwest could someday replace the latex tapped from rubber trees half a world away — in tires, in
btiscience.org
September 14, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Great science is only the beginning.
The Cane-Bridge Foundation is helping BTI bridge the gap between discovery and real-world impact — supporting everything from guayule research and crop disease solutions to advanced microscopy, phenotyping and Project Vault!
btiscience.org/beyond-the-g...
The Cane-Bridge Foundation is helping BTI bridge the gap between discovery and real-world impact — supporting everything from guayule research and crop disease solutions to advanced microscopy, phenotyping and Project Vault!
btiscience.org/beyond-the-g...
Meet Benicio “Benny” Sandoval, one of our 2026 BTI REU researchers!
Watch as Benny shares his journey in plant science, his research, and how this summer has shaped his plans for the future.
Watch as Benny shares his journey in plant science, his research, and how this summer has shaped his plans for the future.
September 3, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Meet Benicio “Benny” Sandoval, one of our 2026 BTI REU researchers!
Watch as Benny shares his journey in plant science, his research, and how this summer has shaped his plans for the future.
Watch as Benny shares his journey in plant science, his research, and how this summer has shaped his plans for the future.
Meet Jua'nele Webb, one of our 2026 BTI REU researchers!
Watch as Jua'nele shares what sparked her interest in plant science, the skills she developed this summer, and how her BTI experience is shaping what comes next.
Watch as Jua'nele shares what sparked her interest in plant science, the skills she developed this summer, and how her BTI experience is shaping what comes next.
September 2, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Meet Jua'nele Webb, one of our 2026 BTI REU researchers!
Watch as Jua'nele shares what sparked her interest in plant science, the skills she developed this summer, and how her BTI experience is shaping what comes next.
Watch as Jua'nele shares what sparked her interest in plant science, the skills she developed this summer, and how her BTI experience is shaping what comes next.
On Sept 18, we’re honoring Dr. J. Alan Renwick by dedicating BTI’s Auditorium in his memory. A pioneer in chemical ecology and a beloved mentor, Alan spent 44 years shaping BTI.
If you knew Alan and would like to join us, email [email protected] to RSVP by Sept 11.
If you knew Alan and would like to join us, email [email protected] to RSVP by Sept 11.
September 1, 2026 at 1:28 PM
On Sept 18, we’re honoring Dr. J. Alan Renwick by dedicating BTI’s Auditorium in his memory. A pioneer in chemical ecology and a beloved mentor, Alan spent 44 years shaping BTI.
If you knew Alan and would like to join us, email [email protected] to RSVP by Sept 11.
If you knew Alan and would like to join us, email [email protected] to RSVP by Sept 11.
How can better science help build a more sustainable food system? For Benicio “Benny” Sandoval, the answer lies in plant breeding, biotechnology, and research that tackles real-world agricultural challenges. Read about his BTI REU experience! btiscience.org/meet-benicio...
Meet Benicio "Benny" Sandoval: Growing Better Food Systems Through Better Science - Boyce Thompson Institute
For Benicio "Benny" Sandoval, plant science is more than an academic pursuit; it's a way to solve real-world problems.
btiscience.org
August 31, 2026 at 2:55 PM
How can better science help build a more sustainable food system? For Benicio “Benny” Sandoval, the answer lies in plant breeding, biotechnology, and research that tackles real-world agricultural challenges. Read about his BTI REU experience! btiscience.org/meet-benicio...
An unexpected Instagram post sparked Jua’nele Webb’s interest in hydroponics and a future connecting engineering and agriculture. This summer at BTI, she expanded her skills and discovered just how many possibilities lie ahead. Read her story! btiscience.org/meet-juanele...
Meet Jua'nele Webb: Engineering New Possibilities for Agriculture - Boyce Thompson Institute
btiscience.org
August 28, 2026 at 2:37 PM
An unexpected Instagram post sparked Jua’nele Webb’s interest in hydroponics and a future connecting engineering and agriculture. This summer at BTI, she expanded her skills and discovered just how many possibilities lie ahead. Read her story! btiscience.org/meet-juanele...
What if plants could be “vaccinated” against disease? New BTI research shows that a natural nematode compound, ascaroside 18, can prime plant immune systems for faster, stronger responses to pathogens—without the growth penalty of a full immune response.
Read more: btiscience.org/primed-and-r...
Read more: btiscience.org/primed-and-r...
Primed and Ready to Fight: A Nematode Pheromone Arms Plants to Battle Pathogens - Boyce Thompson Institute
When cold and flu season comes around, we take steps like getting our flu shots and taking immune supplements to strengthen our bodies’ defenses against
btiscience.org
August 27, 2026 at 5:49 PM
What if plants could be “vaccinated” against disease? New BTI research shows that a natural nematode compound, ascaroside 18, can prime plant immune systems for faster, stronger responses to pathogens—without the growth penalty of a full immune response.
Read more: btiscience.org/primed-and-r...
Read more: btiscience.org/primed-and-r...
Thomas Hawkins’ path to plant science wasn’t a straight line. From a love of the outdoors to soil science, research, and new possibilities at BTI, his REU experience helped him discover where curiosity can lead. Read Thomas’ story and learn more about his summer: btiscience.org/meet-thomas-...
Meet Thomas Hawkins: Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places - Boyce Thompson Institute
The path to plant science wasn't a straight line for Thomas Hawkins. Before pursuing a degree in soil and crop sciences at Colorado State University, he
btiscience.org
August 24, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Thomas Hawkins’ path to plant science wasn’t a straight line. From a love of the outdoors to soil science, research, and new possibilities at BTI, his REU experience helped him discover where curiosity can lead. Read Thomas’ story and learn more about his summer: btiscience.org/meet-thomas-...
This summer, Jayna Burch discovered that becoming a scientist isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying curious, slowing down, and finding a community that helps you grow. Read Jayna’s story and learn more about her summer research experience at BTI. btiscience.org/meet-jayna-b...
Meet Jayna Burch: An Unexpected Opportunity Takes Root - Boyce Thompson Institute
For Jayna Burch, an unexpected job opportunity during her first week of college helped set the course for her future.
btiscience.org
August 21, 2026 at 6:46 PM
This summer, Jayna Burch discovered that becoming a scientist isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying curious, slowing down, and finding a community that helps you grow. Read Jayna’s story and learn more about her summer research experience at BTI. btiscience.org/meet-jayna-b...
A great spotlight on Benecio Sandoval’s summer research through BTI's REU program! Thank you to East Texas A&M University for sharing his story and highlighting the impact of this important work. www.etamu.edu/news/protect...
Protecting the Future of Food: ETAMU Student Making a Difference During Prestigious Internship at Boyce Thompson Institute
East Texas A&M University student Benecio Sandoval is helping to solve global food challenges through a prestigious summer internship with the Boyce Thompson Institute in Ithaca, New York, one of the ...
www.etamu.edu
August 14, 2026 at 2:20 PM
A great spotlight on Benecio Sandoval’s summer research through BTI's REU program! Thank you to East Texas A&M University for sharing his story and highlighting the impact of this important work. www.etamu.edu/news/protect...
Three summer researchers. Three different labs. One shared BTI REU experience. Hear from Josh Bradshaw, Zenon Cieslak, and Zakaria Heyer as they share their summer research journey.
August 13, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Three summer researchers. Three different labs. One shared BTI REU experience. Hear from Josh Bradshaw, Zenon Cieslak, and Zakaria Heyer as they share their summer research journey.
It’s hard to believe our summer REU program has wrapped up! Our 10-week summer of research, discovery and fun culminated in the George and Helen Kohut Symposium. Congrats to our researchers and everyone who made this summer a success!
August 10, 2026 at 3:50 PM
It’s hard to believe our summer REU program has wrapped up! Our 10-week summer of research, discovery and fun culminated in the George and Helen Kohut Symposium. Congrats to our researchers and everyone who made this summer a success!
On July 17, our NSF-funded undergrad researchers visited Cornell’s CHESS facility to see the new XLEAP X-ray in development. This innovative micro-focusing tech will revolutionize how we study biological & environmental systems. Thanks to Rick Ryan & Louisa Smieska for a great trip!
August 5, 2026 at 3:23 PM
On July 17, our NSF-funded undergrad researchers visited Cornell’s CHESS facility to see the new XLEAP X-ray in development. This innovative micro-focusing tech will revolutionize how we study biological & environmental systems. Thanks to Rick Ryan & Louisa Smieska for a great trip!
Brownies and plant cells, oh my!
Our summer undergraduate researchers visited Ithaca’s YMCA Camp Adventure to teach a yummy lesson on plant cells! Campers built candy cell models on brownies to learn their functions, then enjoyed their creations. Thanks to YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County!
Our summer undergraduate researchers visited Ithaca’s YMCA Camp Adventure to teach a yummy lesson on plant cells! Campers built candy cell models on brownies to learn their functions, then enjoyed their creations. Thanks to YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County!
August 4, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Brownies and plant cells, oh my!
Our summer undergraduate researchers visited Ithaca’s YMCA Camp Adventure to teach a yummy lesson on plant cells! Campers built candy cell models on brownies to learn their functions, then enjoyed their creations. Thanks to YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County!
Our summer undergraduate researchers visited Ithaca’s YMCA Camp Adventure to teach a yummy lesson on plant cells! Campers built candy cell models on brownies to learn their functions, then enjoyed their creations. Thanks to YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County!
The next Green Revolution won't begin with a product launch.
It will begin with a scientist seeking to understand how plants, microbes, or insects work.
That's the argument BTI's VP of Research, Dr. Andrew Nelson, makes in a new piece for CAST:
cast-science.org/the-next-gre...
It will begin with a scientist seeking to understand how plants, microbes, or insects work.
That's the argument BTI's VP of Research, Dr. Andrew Nelson, makes in a new piece for CAST:
cast-science.org/the-next-gre...
The Next Green Revolution Won’t Immediately Be Obvious - CAST - The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology
Why the Future of Agriculture depends on investing in discovery science long before the next crisis arrives.
cast-science.org
August 3, 2026 at 2:35 PM
The next Green Revolution won't begin with a product launch.
It will begin with a scientist seeking to understand how plants, microbes, or insects work.
That's the argument BTI's VP of Research, Dr. Andrew Nelson, makes in a new piece for CAST:
cast-science.org/the-next-gre...
It will begin with a scientist seeking to understand how plants, microbes, or insects work.
That's the argument BTI's VP of Research, Dr. Andrew Nelson, makes in a new piece for CAST:
cast-science.org/the-next-gre...
When heat or drought hits, plants must adjust, prioritizing survival over growth. Research from BTI uncovers how RNA modifications signal the plant to rapidly dial back photosynthesis under stress. A step toward developing climate-resilient crops.
Read more: btiscience.org/connecting-s...
Read more: btiscience.org/connecting-s...
Connecting surface-level observations with molecular-level data uncovers a conserved plant stress coping mechanism - Boyce Thompson Institute
Unlike humans, plants cannot make simple lifestyle adjustments to adapt to changing environments. When exposed to conditions like extreme heat or water
btiscience.org
July 30, 2026 at 6:07 PM
When heat or drought hits, plants must adjust, prioritizing survival over growth. Research from BTI uncovers how RNA modifications signal the plant to rapidly dial back photosynthesis under stress. A step toward developing climate-resilient crops.
Read more: btiscience.org/connecting-s...
Read more: btiscience.org/connecting-s...
This weekend, our NSF-funded REU summer undergrads visited the Sciencenter! They helped kids build candy DNA models to learn about its structure and importance. Everyone left with a yummy snack and new science knowledge! Thanks to the Sciencenter and Sierra Coathup for a great activity.
July 20, 2026 at 5:51 PM
This weekend, our NSF-funded REU summer undergrads visited the Sciencenter! They helped kids build candy DNA models to learn about its structure and importance. Everyone left with a yummy snack and new science knowledge! Thanks to the Sciencenter and Sierra Coathup for a great activity.
We were honored to welcome Lorne Montegue and Cathy Emilian from Assemblymember Anna Kelles' office to BTI! They toured our greenhouses and Plant Phenotyping Facility, learned about our research, education, and outreach, and saw firsthand the innovative plant science happening at BTI.
July 17, 2026 at 5:44 PM
We were honored to welcome Lorne Montegue and Cathy Emilian from Assemblymember Anna Kelles' office to BTI! They toured our greenhouses and Plant Phenotyping Facility, learned about our research, education, and outreach, and saw firsthand the innovative plant science happening at BTI.
This week's photo challenge: Show us your favorite place in Ithaca. From campus corners and downtown gems to scenic trails and more, our students shared the places that have quickly become their go-to spots while spending the summer here.
Swipe through to see Ithaca from their perspective!
Swipe through to see Ithaca from their perspective!
July 16, 2026 at 3:07 PM
This week's photo challenge: Show us your favorite place in Ithaca. From campus corners and downtown gems to scenic trails and more, our students shared the places that have quickly become their go-to spots while spending the summer here.
Swipe through to see Ithaca from their perspective!
Swipe through to see Ithaca from their perspective!
Members of the Harrison Lab and REU summer researchers spent the weekend at the Ithaca Farmers Market, showcasing Foldscopes and the fascinating partnership between fungi and plant roots. Visitors explored soil health, phosphate cycling, and how this research supports more sustainable agriculture.
July 15, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Members of the Harrison Lab and REU summer researchers spent the weekend at the Ithaca Farmers Market, showcasing Foldscopes and the fascinating partnership between fungi and plant roots. Visitors explored soil health, phosphate cycling, and how this research supports more sustainable agriculture.
Some pie-oneering research happened in the Potting Room yesterday... Congrats to the winners of this year's BTI Pie Party contest!
1st: Melanie Filiatrault
2nd: Magda Julkowska
A huge thank you to our greenhouse team for organizing, and everyone who baked and attended!
1st: Melanie Filiatrault
2nd: Magda Julkowska
A huge thank you to our greenhouse team for organizing, and everyone who baked and attended!
July 9, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Some pie-oneering research happened in the Potting Room yesterday... Congrats to the winners of this year's BTI Pie Party contest!
1st: Melanie Filiatrault
2nd: Magda Julkowska
A huge thank you to our greenhouse team for organizing, and everyone who baked and attended!
1st: Melanie Filiatrault
2nd: Magda Julkowska
A huge thank you to our greenhouse team for organizing, and everyone who baked and attended!
Week 3 check-in! Our Summer REU students are making the most of their time in Ithaca, exploring its iconic lake, gorges, and waterfalls.
July 8, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Week 3 check-in! Our Summer REU students are making the most of their time in Ithaca, exploring its iconic lake, gorges, and waterfalls.
Scientists misidentified one of the most invasive aquatic ferns for decades. Research corrected the record & revealed why it's hard to stop: it reproduces by endlessly cloning itself. The good news: a treatment that works in one place should work everywhere. cstu.io/a7411f
@fernway.bsky.social
@fernway.bsky.social
The Invasive Fern That Science Misidentified for Decades - Boyce Thompson Institute
Salvinia molesta can double its biomass in 36 hours. It spreads across ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waterways in a smothering green mat, blocking sunlight,
btiscience.org
July 6, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Scientists misidentified one of the most invasive aquatic ferns for decades. Research corrected the record & revealed why it's hard to stop: it reproduces by endlessly cloning itself. The good news: a treatment that works in one place should work everywhere. cstu.io/a7411f
@fernway.bsky.social
@fernway.bsky.social
Seven students from the NYS 4-H Career Exploration event spent two days at CROPPs and BTI exploring cutting-edge plant science! They learned about programmable plants, grafting, phenotyping, robotics, gene editing, and GMOs—including Norfolk Healthy Produce's Purple Tomatoes. #4HCareerEx26
July 2, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Seven students from the NYS 4-H Career Exploration event spent two days at CROPPs and BTI exploring cutting-edge plant science! They learned about programmable plants, grafting, phenotyping, robotics, gene editing, and GMOs—including Norfolk Healthy Produce's Purple Tomatoes. #4HCareerEx26
Reposted by Boyce Thompson Institute
So honored to be featured by @ourpublicservice.bsky.social to talk a little bit about my work!
And very grateful for the two awesome labs that I work in! @btiscience.bsky.social @plantdiseaseguy.bsky.social
#plantpathology #science #potatoscience #scicomm
www.linkedin.com/posts/did-yo...
And very grateful for the two awesome labs that I work in! @btiscience.bsky.social @plantdiseaseguy.bsky.social
#plantpathology #science #potatoscience #scicomm
www.linkedin.com/posts/did-yo...
Did you know publicly-funding science supports American farms?
Meet Isako “Izzi” Di Tomassi, a plant pathologist who studies plant disease so crops can grow into healthy food and power our economy… |...
Did you know publicly-funding science supports American farms?
Meet Isako “Izzi” Di Tomassi, a plant pathologist who studies plant disease so crops can grow into healthy food and power our economy. I...
www.linkedin.com
July 1, 2026 at 2:29 PM
So honored to be featured by @ourpublicservice.bsky.social to talk a little bit about my work!
And very grateful for the two awesome labs that I work in! @btiscience.bsky.social @plantdiseaseguy.bsky.social
#plantpathology #science #potatoscience #scicomm
www.linkedin.com/posts/did-yo...
And very grateful for the two awesome labs that I work in! @btiscience.bsky.social @plantdiseaseguy.bsky.social
#plantpathology #science #potatoscience #scicomm
www.linkedin.com/posts/did-yo...