NIFA National Needs Fellowships: Graduate Training at the Intersection of Plant Microbiomes, Genetics, and Data Science

Plant microbiomes are increasingly recognized as important mediators of plant phenotypes. They represent an essential avenue for enhancing agricultural sustainability in a future where we need to grow more with less. Recent evidence suggests that plant microbiomes can increase plant stress tolerance, improve disease resistance, and broaden access to otherwise inaccessible soil organic resources, which will be increasingly important in the face of expected extreme weather, more intense disease pressure, and fewer resources. Yet traditional breeding programs have disrupted plant-microbe relationships, and there remains an enormous disconnect between plant and microbial biologists and between those biologists and data scientists. This training program will prepare students to meet current and future challenges in the Plant Production Targeted Expertise Shortage Area (TESA) by connecting these disciplines.

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS

The NIFA NNF program aims to train new PhD students in nationally identified expertise shortage areas, with the goal of increasing the number, quality, and diversity of students in the food, agricultural, and related sciences by recruiting outstanding students, particularly those from traditionally underrepresented groups. Students from a range of backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Students will gain the genetic, molecular, and field skills needed to study plant-microbiome interactions, and the data science, bioinformatics, and statistical skills required for analyzing these complex datasets. Training includes a pre-semester bootcamp, coursework, workshops, and professional development. Students will have 3 years of support provided by a mixture of fellowship, TA, and RA with a minimum annual salary of $33.5K. Additional funding will be specific to the program and advisor. Only US Citizens and Nationals are eligible.

HOW TO APPLY

These fellowships are to recruit new students in 2024-25 from four graduate programs: Plant Biology, Microbiology, Crop Science, and Computer Engineering. If you have applied to any of these programs and are interested in this fellowship training program, please contact at least one faculty member from the list below. Apply here by Jan 31, 2024.

Faculty Mentors

Ben Callahan Population Health and Pathobiology
Mallory Choudoir Plant and Microbial Biology
Joseph Gage Crop and Soil Sciences
Kevin Garcia Crop and Soil Sciences
Christine Hawkes Plant and Microbial Biology
Edgar Lobaton Computer Engineering
Terri Long Plant and Microbial Biology
Imara Perera Plant and Microbial Biology
Ruben Rellan Alvarez Molecular and Structural Biochemistry
Heike Sederoff Plant and Microbial Biology