Plant Biology (Interdepartmental Graduate Major)

Rotations & Selecting a Major Professor

Rotation

Students entering the IPB program directly are asked to complete a series of research rotations with faculty members of their choice. It is suggested that students complete at least three rotations during the first two semesters. The rotations are usually approximately six to eight weeks in length. These rotations are designed to familiarize the student with the type of research done in the labs as well as to acquaint themselves with the professor and other members of the lab. The student is responsible for contacting professors for scheduling potential rotations. It is important to choose laboratories conducting research that interests you and that will be able to accept you in to the lab if you choose to stay. Students should not make a decision on their choice of advisers until all three rotations have been completed.  

There are 38 faculty members in IPB representing seven departments (Agronomy, Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Genetics Development & Cell Biology, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology). For detailed information about the faculty visit the IPB faculty page.

2009-2010 rotation dates

Rotation	Beginning date	End date	Total workdays
First	Sep 4, 2009	Oct 30, 2009	40 days
Second *	Nov 2, 2009	Jan 15, 2010	40 days
Third	Jan 18, 2010	Mar 12, 2010	40 days
Fourth **	Mar 22, 2010	May 14, 2010	40 days
* Second rotation includes three weeks break during the Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year Holidays. ** Fourth rotation is optional.

Faculty members who needs students

The following faculty members need students to their programs
David Hannapel
W. Allen Miller
Basil Nikolau
Reuben Peters
Jacqueline Shanks
Kan Wang
Jonathan Wendel
Eve Wurtele
Olga Zabotina

Selecting a Major Professor

Following the completion of the research rotations, you should ask the faculty member with whom you would like to work whether he or she can accept you into his or her laboratory and arrange for your future financial support. Once an agreement is made, you must fill out the form " Request to Establish a Home Department for Students Admitted to Interdepartmental Majors". This arrangement must be made no later than the first week of May. In the case that no suitable match is attained after 3 rotations, you may conduct an optional 4th rotation. At the same time please contact your Temporary Faculty Mentor or IPB Programm Chair for advice.

• IPB 2009 Invited Speakers

  Dr. Scott Peck
  
  (Oct 7, 2009)
  Title: Proteomic Analysis of Host-Pathogen Interactions: From Signaling to Secretion
  
  Dr. Chi-lien Cheng
  
  (Oct 14, 2009)
  Title: Alternation of Generations in Ceratopseris richardii
  

• 2010 Loomis Lecture and Plant Biology Mini Symposium

• 2009 IPB Faculty/Student Retreat

• IPB 2009 Fall Seminar Series

• Major name change approved

• IPB Invited Speakers

• Loomis and IPB mini symposium

• IPB seminar series (PLBIO 696)

• IPB Annual Retreats

• IPB Sledding Photos January 24, 2009
• IPB Halloween Party October 28, 2006