Dr. Pamela Diggle, University of Connecticut

Dr. Pamela Diggle is a world-class scientist, teacher, mentor, Editor, and leader in the field of botany, and has provided invaluable service to the Botanical Society of America (BSA) throughout her impressive career. She is a world leader in plant morphology, development and evolution (“devo-evo”) and is a recognized authority on the integration of developmental ideas into plant reproductive biology. Her research focuses on the evolution of morphological diversity among plants with particular emphasis on understanding how features of development shape the dynamics of evolutionary change. Her approaches range from analyses of developmental responses of individuals to contrasting environmental conditions, to understanding how development has evolved over time in groups of closely related plants, and to understanding differences across all of flowering plants.

Dr. Diggle’s classic work on labile sex expression in the Tomato genus (Solanum) demonstrated that plants can regulate whether they produce hermaphroditic or male flowers, depending on the extent of fruit production within a single blooming period. This remarkable developmental plasticity in sex expression is now known to be a general phenomenon across flowering plants. Dr. Diggle has also made important contributions to several other outstanding problems in plant biology, including how plant architecture influences sexual dimorphism in gender dimorphic species, the role of development in shaping phenological responses to temperature variation (particularly warming due to climate change), and the ecological importance of preformation of meristems in alpine species. Her work is regularly funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF), including for “microMORPH: Microevolutionary Molecular and Organismic Research in Plant History,” meetings that bring together faculty and graduate students to focus on plant morphology and related areas.

Dr. Diggle is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the BSA’s flagship journal, the American Journal of Botany (term 2015-2025). Since she assumed the Editorship, several positive changes to the journal are evident that enhance the profile of botany, its relevance, and diversity. She has spearheaded several initiatives, including the “On the Nature of Things” essays, the recently formalized series of invited reviews and topic-specific special issues, and the increased diversity and international representation of Associate Editors—all actions that have noticeably raised the journal’s impact (and its impact factor). In addition, Dr. Diggle has been actively involved with the BSA in other areas, serving on several committees, and on the Board, first as Council Representative, then as Secretary, and lastly as President-Elect, President, and Past-President. She has offered workshops for authors, held focus groups with grad students and postdocs, and reached out to BSA sections to encourage members to contribute to their Society journals. Dr. Diggle is widely respected as having sound judgment, an even-handed approach to problems, and loyalty to the institutions and societies she has worked for. BSA has greatly benefited from her service and expertise over the years.

Charles Edwin Bessey Teaching Award (BSA in association with the Teaching Section and Education Committee)

Dr. Stefanie (Steffi) Ickert-Bond (University of Alaska Museum of the North and University of Alaska Fairbanks) is a well-respected botanist with a passion for fieldwork, collections, and natural history, combined with skills in active learning and evidence-based pedagogy—as well as a conviction for offering equitable access to science learning. Long before the Covid pandemic hit, she created online courses that allowed students to participate in hands-on, two-way communicative learning from any location. In early March 2020, she offered her course "BIOL F195-F02; Introduction to Alaska’s Flora” to be made freely available on the “BotanyDepot” website, thereby offering a lifeline to botany educators around the world who suddenly found themselves scrambling to build virtual experiences and online resources to teach systematic botany, plant anatomy, and local floristic courses. The course materials are a series of short video modules, grouped into topics, plus additional reading materials and fun, creative activities that are designed to deepen students’ understanding of the concepts—and encourage them to go outside and explore the plants in their area. In the “Learning Glass” presentations, Dr. Ickert-Bond speaks to the camera while drawing, labeling, and describing aspects of plant form and structure. She guides the viewer through complex aspects by creating a basic foundation, a step-by-step pedagogical scaffolding—and then proceeds to add clear examples and visual explorations. She is continuing to build new course content, including for winter bud identification and for fundamentals of museum studies.

Dr. Ickert-Bond is a trailblazer in botany education, not only in teaching, but also in diversity and inclusion in botany education. As one person from the nomination committee wrote, “Through inclusive pedagogy that uses innovative technology combined with an artistic and creative vision to engage students in critical learning about plants, habitats and biodiversity science, Dr. Steffi Ickert-Bond embodies the action and spirit of the Bessey Award.”

Impact Award 
The Botanical Society of America Impact Award recognizes a BSA member or group of members who have significantly contributed to advancing diversity, accessibility, equity, and/or inclusion in botanical scholarship, research and education.

Dr. Ann Sakai, Professor Emeritus, University of California Irvine

It is a pleasure and an honor to announce that the first recipient of the BSA’s Impact Award is Dr. Ann Sakai, Professor Emeritus from the University of California Irvine. In addition to being an excellent scientist, with research interests in evolutionary ecology and conservation biology, Dr. Sakai has been steadfast in promoting diversity and inclusivity during her entire career. Dr. Sakai attended SACNAS for several years on behalf of the BSA, reaching out to underrepresented students and promoting our botanical community and the PLANTS program to early career researchers while also judging countless talks at those meetings. Ann also served as BSA’s first Director-at-Large for Human Diversity on the BSA Board of Directors.

Notably, along with a dedicated team, Dr. Sakai directed the NSF-funded PLANTS (Preparing Leaders and Nurturing Tomorrow’s Scientists) outreach program for its first 11 years beginning in 2011. The PLANTS program provides undergraduates from diverse backgrounds with travel grants and mentors so that they can attend the national meetings of several societies focused on the plant sciences. This experience provides these students the opportunity to explore their academic and research interests in the plant sciences and to broaden their career opportunities.

Ann was tireless in her dedication to the program and her hands-on support of each and every student (over 100) that came to BOTANY through the PLANTS program. Scholars in the PLANTS program say that from the very first morning meeting with the rest of the PLANTS cohort, Dr. Sakai “set a tone of inclusivity and welcomeness” that has become a signature of the program. Not only did she support students during the meetings, making sure they had what they needed, attending their talks, and introducing them to other botanists, she provided support and encouragement as they subsequently developed their interests and career goals. She kept in touch with many of them throughout the years, helping to edit their CVs and their grant proposals, writing letters of recommendation and tracking their career paths. The personal connection, feeling that she has been “in their corner” throughout their botanical journey, has been as important for many students as the program itself.

According to one of the 2011 PLANTS recipients, who is currently an Associate Professor, “Ann is quite literally changing the makeup of our BSA meetings and the field of botany as a whole, one undergraduate at a time”—and thus is fully deserving of the BSA’s first-ever Impact Award.

Corresponding members are distinguished senior scientists who have made outstanding contributions to plant science and who live and work outside of the United States of America. Corresponding members are nominated by the Council, which reviews recommendations and credentials submitted by members, and elected by the membership at the annual BSA business meeting. Corresponding members have all the privileges of life-time members. 

No award given in 2022

The Darbaker Prize in Phycology is given each year in memory of Dr. Leasure K. Darbaker. It is presented to a resident of North America for meritorious work in the study of microscopic algae based on papers published in English by the nominee during the last two full calendar years. This year The Darbaker Award for meritorious work on microscopic algae is presented to:

No award given in 2022

Donald R. Kaplan Memorial Lecture

Lena Hileman, University of Kansas
Patterns and processes of floral diversification in the wildflower genus Penstemon.

No award given in 2022

No award given in 2022

Maribel Arenas-Navarro, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico

João Iganci, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil

Funmilola Mabel OJO, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria

Yesenia Madrigal Bedoya, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia 

Sebastián Martínez-Salazar, Universidad De Antioquia, Colombia

Olubunmi Sharaibi, Lagos State University, Ojo Campus, Nigeria

Hugo A. Valdebenito, Universidad San Francisco de Quito / Herbarium QUSF, Ecuador

Aleena Xavier, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, India

Irene Cobo Simón, University Of Connecticut

Kyra N. Krakos, Maryville University

Benjamin Lee, Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Ellie Mendelson, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Natalia Pabon Mora, Universidad de Antioquia

Maria Cristina Rengifo Faiffer, Michigan Technological University

Carolina Siniscalchi, Mississippi State University

Qiang Sun, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Brittany Verrico, University of Vermont

Cheng-Chiang Wu, National Taiwan University

Edgar T. Wherry Award (Pteridological Section and the American Fern Society)
The Edgar T. Wherry Award is given for the best paper presented during the contributed papers session of the Pteridological Section. This award is in honor of Dr. Wherry’s many contributions to the floristics and patterns of evolution in ferns.

Jessie Pelosi, University of Florida, For the Presentation: Here we go again (and again): repeated rounds of polyploidy and biased gene retention in ferns. Co-Authors: Emily Kim, W. Brad Barbazuk, Emily Sessa

Caroline Dowling, University College Dublin, For the Presentation: It's Been a Long Day: Uncovering the genetic control of flowering in Cannabis sativa. Co-authors: Jiaqi Shi, Susanne Schilling, Rainer Melzer

Samuel Noel Postlethwait Award (Teaching Section)
The Samuel Noel Postlethwait Award is given for outstanding service to the BSA Teaching Section.

Dr. Melanie DeVore, Georgia College & State University

The Award is to provide funds for those who have completed a PhD and are currently in a post-doctoral position or non-tenure track position.

Nareerat Boonchai, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, for the paper titled: "Insights into the Wyoming’s Blue Forest: Filling a knowledge gap in diversity of Eocene woody vegetation, paleoenvironment, and paleoclimate."

Andres Elgorriaga, University of Kansas, for the paper titled: "Reconstructing ginkgoalean macroevolutionary patterns through time within a phylogenetic context."

AJB Synthesis Papers and Prize

To be announced

This award organized by the Environmental and Public Policy Committees of BSA and ASPT aims to support local efforts that contribute to shaping public policy on issues relevant to plant sciences. To learn more about the winning projects click here.

Sara E. Hansen, PhD Student, Earth and Ecosystem Science, Central Michigan University
Rhea Ewing, Visual artist, RheaEwing.com
Anna K. Monfils, Professor and Director of CMU Herbarium, Department of Biology, Central Michigan University

For the proposal: Creating Inclusive Resources for Botanical Science Education

BSA Emerging Leaders Award

Dr. Karolina Heyduk, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

Dr. Karolina Heyduk is currently Assistant Professor in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and the Director of the Joseph F. Rock Herbarium. Her research integrates plant ecophysiology, evolutionary biology, and genomics to understand the ways plants adapt to harsh environments, with a particular focus on photosynthetic pathway evolution, especially Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM).

To read more about Dr. Heyduk click here.

The Public Policy Award was established in 2012 to support the development of of tomorrow's leaders and a better understanding of this critical area.

Brendan Kosnik, Arkansas State University

Zack Quirk, University of Washington

Michael Donoghue

Outgoing BSA Treasurer

Lucinda McDade

Outgoing BSA Student Representative to the Board

Imeña Valdes

Donald R. Kaplan Award in Comparative Morphology
This award was created to promote research in plant comparative morphology, the Kaplan family has established an endowed fund, administered through the Botanical Society of America, to support the Ph.D. research of graduate students in this area.

Yesenia Madrigal Bedoya, University of Antioquia (Colombia), For the Proposal: A Morpho-anatomical characterization of the vegetative-to-reproductive meristematic transition in terrestrial and epiphytic neotropical orchids

The BSA Graduate Student Research Award including the J. S. Karling Award
The BSA Graduate Student Research Awards support graduate student research and are made on the basis of research proposals and letters of recommendations. Withing the award group is the Karling Graduate Student Research Award. This award was instituted by the Society in 1997 with funds derived through a generous gift from the estate of the eminent mycologist, John Sidney Karling (1897-1994), and supports and promotes graduate student research in the botanical sciences.

The J. S. Karling Graduate Student Research Award

Jessie Pelosi, University of Florida, For the Proposal: Beyond the genome: methylomics of the alternation of generations

The BSA Graduate Student Research Awards

Sam Anderson, University of Wisconsin Madison, For the Proposal: The Forgotten Forest Layer: A multivariate gradient analysis and physiological comparison of understory shrubs in northern mesic forests

Juan Angulo, City University of New York, For the Proposal: The evolution of dioecy and its consequences on plant diversification: phylogenetic and comparative studies on neotropical Miconia section Cremanium (Melastomataceae)

Derek Denney, University of Georgia, For the Proposal: Evaluating selection induced by climate change on water-use efficiency in Boechera stricta

Trinity Depatie, University of South Carolina, For the Proposal: Understanding the Genetic Basis of Personate Flowers in Penstemon

Erin G. Eichenberger, North Carolina State University, For the Proposal: Population vital rates and pollinator community of an endangered Southeastern prairie perennial, Echinacea laevigata (Boynton & Beadle) Blake

Rosemary Glos, Michigan State University, For the Proposal: Trichome-mediated defense in Mentzelia (Loasaceae)

Kaleb Goff, North Carolina State University, For the Proposal: A functional trait perspective on alpine plant community responses to rapid climate change in a xeric mountain range

Hansika Herath, University of Kentucky, For the Proposal: Intraspecific variation of acquired thermotolerance in the liverwort Marchantia inflexa

Hossein Madhani, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, For the Proposal: The role of immune system incompatibilities in the evolution of isolating barriers within an ongoing adaptive radiation

Kathleen Madsen, Ohio University, For the Proposal: The Fitness Consequences of Gypsum Endemsim

Sylvie Martin-Eberhardt, Michigan State University, For the Proposal: Insect signaling by anthocyanins in the carnivorous plant Sarracenia purpurea

Sebastián Martínez-Salazar, Universidad de Antioquia, For the Proposal: Molecular basis underlying nectar spur development in tropaeolaceae

Jared B. Meek, Columbia University, For the Proposal: Towards a comprehensive phylogeny of North American Delphinium (Ranunculaceae)

Nicole Mitidieri Rivera, University of Wisconsin-Madison, For the Proposal: Evolutionary pathways to becoming a fig: a phylogenetic comparative approach

Oluwatobi Oso, Yale University, For the Proposal: Developmental Anatomy and Evolution of Overwintering Buds in Viburnum

Evan Perkowski, Texas Tech University, For the Proposal: The influence of nitrogen fixation and soil nutrient availability on leaf and whole plant acclimation to elevated CO2

Rebecca Rooney, University of Minnesota - Duluth, For the Proposal: Coordination of Phloem Function and Anthocyanin Accumulation in Young and Senescing Leaves of Quercus rubra

Kyle Rosenblad, University of California, Berkeley, For the Proposal: Climate change and evolutionary potential in a montane meadow-dependent species

Catherine Sherry, North Carolina State University, For the Proposal: How Does Fire Kill Trees? Impacts of Stem Heating on Plant Hydraulics

Abrianna Soule, Michigan State University, For the Proposal: Evolution of the chemical defense of aspen (Populus tremuloides) and specialist herbivores (Chrysomela) across latitude

Kailin Sun, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, For the Proposal: Phylogeny and biogeography of the genus Myricaria

Keana Tang, University of Kansas, For the Proposal: Fossil flowers and their role in uncovering the evolutionary and biogeographic history of Lauraceae

Piotr Tuczapski, University of Georgia, For the Proposal: Specificity of mycorrhizal symbionts in four sympatric Lepanthes species (Orchidaceae) and the possible role of symbionts in driving orchid diversification

Mackenzie Urquhart-Cronish, University of British Columbia, For the Proposal: Testing the influence of historical range expansion on contemporary plant mating system evolution

Alyson Van Natto, Queen's University, For the Proposal: Evolutionary genomic consequences of invasion of Mimulus guttatus into New Zealand

Susana Vega Betancur, Universidad de Antioquia, For the Proposal: Understanding the diversity of spikemosses in the Neotropics: taxonomy of Selaginella (Selaginellaceae) for Antioquia, Colombia

Leah Veldhuisen, University of Arizona, For the Proposal: Facilitation & Phylogenetic Structure of Montane Plant Communities

Christopher Waters, Tennessee Technological University, For the Proposal: Documenting effective pollinator species and metabarcoding pollinator environmental DNA across the range of Physaria globosa (Brassicaceae)

Katherine Wolcott, University of Miami, For the Proposal: 3D pollination biology of Theobroma cacao and its relatives, Ayenia euphrasiifolia, Guazuma microphylla, Herrania umbratica (Byttnerioideae)

Rieka Yu, University of Missouri - St. Louis, For the Proposal: Differences in pollinators as drivers of plant population genetic change in disturbed landscapes

The BSA Undergraduate Student Research Awards
The BSA Undergraduate Student Research Awards support undergraduate student research and are made on the basis of research proposals and letters of recommendation.

Caroline Bendickson, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, For the Proposal: Building a Molecular-based Phylogeny for the Genus Trillium Using Angiosperms353 Bait Capture Sequencing

Cesar Galan, Cornell University, For the Proposal: Travel to Harvard University Herbaria Collections; Access to Additional Sample Specimens

Jack Hatajik, University of Pittsburgh, For the Proposal: Mapping the population dynamics of the invasive Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) in response to climate

Isabeau Lewis, Queen's University, For the Proposal: Kin discrimination and plastic responses in growth and flowering in a clonal plant

Nicholas Rocha, Cornell University, For the Proposal: The Attractiveness of visual traits of calochortus venustus to insect pollinators

Erika Sipos, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, For the Proposal: A Phylogenetic and Biogeographical Study of Parsonsia (Apocyanceae)

The BSA Young Botanist Awards
The purpose of these awards is to offer individual recognition to outstanding graduating seniors in the plant sciences and to encourage their participation in the Botanical Society of America.

Christina Andreski, Plymouth State University, Advisor: Diana Jolles

Anais Barnes, Bucknell University, Advisor: Christopher Martine

Charles Boissavy, Oberlin College, Advisor: Michael Moore

Caroline Brose, Colorado College, Advisor: Rachel Jabaily

Emma Cooley, Fort Lewis College, Advisor: Ross McCauley

Carmen David, University of California, Davis, Advisor: Jennifer Gremer

Adalie Duran, Connecticut College, Advisor: Rachel Spicer

Norbaya Jameela Durr, Elmhurst University, Advisor: Kasey Pham

Josh Felton, Colorado College, Advisor: Rachel Jabaily

Tori M. Ford, University of Florida, Advisor: Makenzie Mabry

Stephanie Kate, San Francisco State University, Advisor: Jason Cantley

Shannon Reilly, University of California, Davis, Advisor: Jennifer Gremer

Kaitlin Schieuer, South Dakota State University, Advisor: Maribeth Latvis

Caroline Shaw, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Advisor: Benjamin Gahagen

Edward J. Spagnuolo, Pennsylvania State University, Advisor: Peter Wilf

Sharon Haley Spiess, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Advisor: Benjamin Gahagen

Kayla Warner, Barnard College, Columbia University, Advisor: Hillary Callahan

Adam Wilson, Creighton University, Advisor: Mackenzie Taylor

Talia Zeidner, Connecticut College, Advisor: Rachel Spicer

The BSA PLANTS Grant Recipients
The PLANTS (Preparing Leaders and Nurturing Tomorrow’s Scientists: Increasing the diversity of plant scientists) program recognizes outstanding undergraduates from diverse backgrounds and provides travel grant.

Luigie Alequín, Haverford College, Advisor: Nathalie Nagalingum

Victoria Clements, Tennessee Technological University, Advisor: Shawn Krosnick

Adalie Duran, Connecticut College, Advisor: Rachel Spicer

Josh Felton, Colorado College, Advisor: Rachel Jabaily

Tori Ford, University of Florida, Advisor: Pam Soltis

Cesar Galan, Cornell University, Advisor: Alejandra Gandolfo

Mayra Hernandez, CSU Dominguez Hills, Advisor: Helen I. Holmlund

Amelie LeTierce, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Advisor: Jessamine Finch

Karina Mendez, Chabot College, Advisor: Mackenzie Mabry

Aadia Moseley-McCloud, Howard University, Advisor: Janelle Burke

Austin Nguyen, University of Kansas, Advisor: Kelly Matsunaga

Inti Quinchiguango Archuleta, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, Advisor: Suzy Strickler

The BSA Student and PostDoc Travel Awards
Winners were selected by lottery

Juan Angulo

Andrea D. Appleton

Antigone Burke

Robert P. Comito

Diana Gamba

Elyssa Garza

Shelly Gaynor

Samuel Lockhart

Jess Shamek

Caroline Siegert

Meredith Zettlemoyer

Triarch "Botanical Images" Student Travel Awards
This award provides acknowledgement and travel support to BSA meetings for outstanding student work coupling digital images (botanical) with scientific explanations/descriptions designed for the general public.

No Awards Given in 2022

Vernon I. Cheadle Student Travel Awards (BSA in association with the Developmental and Structural Section)

This award was named in honor of the memory and work of Dr. Vernon I. Cheadle.

Benjamin Ajayi, University Of Lagos, Advisor: Professor Akeem Babalola, For the Presentation: Dumpsite Aftereffects on Structural and Functional Integrity of Three Crop Weeds

Kelly Pfeiler, University of Kansas, Advisors: Kelly Matsunaga & Brian Atkinson, For the Presentation: Anatomically preserved cheirolepidiaceous pollen cones from the Cretaceous of western North America. Co-authors: Brian Atkinson, Kelly Matsunaga

Keana Tang, University of Kansas, Advisor: Brian Atkinson, For the Presentation: Crown group Lauraceae in the Late Cretaceous: new evidence from fossil flowers. Co-authors: Kelly Matsunaga, Brian Atkinson

Elizabeth Wilson, William Jewell College, Advisor: Nathan Jud, For the Presentation: Revising the description and diagnosis of the Late Pennsylvanian medullosan Neuropteris lindahli White based on new fossil material. Co-author: Nathan Jud

Brandi Zenchyzen, University of Alberta, Advisor: Jocelyn Hall, For the Presentation: Exploring nectary diversity in Cleomaceae. Co-authors: Jaymie Martin, Stacie Weissner, Ainsley Lopushinsky, Ida John, Ishnoor Nahal, Jocelyn Hall

Awards for Students - Given by the Sections

Student Presentation and Poster Awards

A. J. Sharp Award (ABLS/Bryological and Lichenological Section)

This award is given for the best student paper presented in the Bryological and Lichenological sessions.

To be announced

Ecological Section Student Presentation Award

Michael Peyton, University of Wisconsin – Madison, For the Presentation: An investigating into the role of functional traits and spatial scale in Hawaiian understory responses to pig disturbance. Co-author: Sara Hotchkiss 

Ecological Section Poster Awards

Blaire Kleiman, Florida International University, For the Presentation: How weeds affect insects in mango, Mangifera indica, cultivation of South Florida.

Developmental & Structural Poster Award

Best Student Poster
Deanna Neupert, Miami University, For the Poster: The evolution of structural novelty: A morphological analysis of development in Mimulus and its implication for plant architecture and reproduction. Co-authors: Robert Baker, Rich Moore, Jonathan Bauer

Genetics Section Student Presentation Award

To be announced

Isabel Cookson Award (Paleobotanical Section)
Established in 1976, the Isabel Cookson Award recognizes the best student paper presented in the Paleobotanical Section

Kelly Pfeiler, University of Kansas, For the Presentation: “Anatomically preserved cheirolepidiaceous pollen cones of western North America.” Co-authors: Brian Atkinson, Kelly Matsunaga

Katherine Esau Award (Developmental and Structural Section)
This award was established in 1985 with a gift from Dr. Esau and is augmented by ongoing contributions from Section members. It is given to the graduate student who presents the outstanding paper in developmental and structural botany at the annual meeting.

Heather Phillips, Cornell University, For the Presentation: To Fuse or not to Fuse: Investigating the Evolution and Development of Floral Fusion in the Zingiberales. Co-authors: Jacob Landis, Chelsea Specht

Li-COR Prize (Physiological Section)

Each year, the Physiological Section presents the Li-COR prize to acknowledge the best presentation made by any student, regardless of subdiscipline, at the annual meeting. The Li-COR prize is presented annually at the BSA Banquet.

Best Student Oral Presentations
Claudia Garnica Diaz, University of Florida, For the Presentation: Intra-canopy leaf variation in deciduous oaks (genus Quercus): from leaf construction to energy return. Co-Authors: Siddarth Machado, Raiza Castillo-Argaez, Nicholas Ash Smith, Daniel J. Johnson, Grace Patricia John

Ana Flores, University of Hawaii at Manoa, For the Presentation: Trait Variation as Plants Grow Up: Simultaneous Effects of Ontogeny and Phenotypic Plasticity. Co-author: Kasey Barton

Best Student Poster
Jordyn Regier, Pepperdine University, For the Presentation: Substrate Type Affects the Drying Speed and Desiccation Tolerance of Fern Gametophytes. Co-Authors: Mayra Hernandez, Camille Kilayko Sicangco, Stephen Davis, Helen Holmlund

Maynard Moseley Award (Developmental & Structural and Paleobotanical Sections)
The Maynard F. Moseley Award was established in 1995 to honor a career of dedicated teaching, scholarship, and service to the furtherance of the botanical sciences. Dr. Moseley, known to his students as “Dr. Mo”, died Jan. 16, 2003 in Santa Barbara, CA, where he had been a professor since 1949. He was widely recognized for his enthusiasm for and dedication to teaching and his students, as well as for his research using floral and wood anatomy to understand the systematics and evolution of angiosperm taxa, especially waterlilies. (PSB, Spring, 2003). The award is given to the best student paper, presented in either the Paleobotanical or Developmental and Structural sessions, that advances our understanding of plant structure in an evolutionary context.

Keana Tang, University of Kansas, For the Presentation: Crown group Lauraceae in the Late Cretaceous: new evidence from fossil flowers. Co-Authors: Kelly Matsunaga, Brian Atkinson

Physiological Section Student Presentation and Poster Awards

Best Student Oral Presentation
Maria Cristina Rengifo Faiffer, Michigan Technological University, For the Presentation: Phenotypic plasticity of Syntrichia caninervis in novel climates. Co-authors: Matthew Bowker, Anita Antoninka

Best Student Poster
Marissa Ochoa, University of California, Los Angeles, For the Presentation: How does stomatal anatomy influence leaf conductance from minimum to maximum? Causal relationships and meta-analysis. Co-authors: Lawren Sack, Thomas N. Buckley, Christian Henry, Camila Medeiros, Ruihua Pan, Grace Patricia John

Phytochemical Section Presentation Awards

Best Presentation: 
Gordon Younkin, Cornell University, For the Presentation: "Comparative transcriptomics of 48 Erysimum species guides discovery of cardiac glycoside biosynthetic genes." Co-authors: Martin Alani, Mahdieh Mirzaei, Georg Jander

Best Presentation Honorable Mention: 
Luis Santiago-Rosario, Louisiana State University, For the Presentation: "Contrasts among cationic phytochemical landscapes in the southern United States." Co-author: Kyle Harms

Best Poster:
Gemma Takahashi, University of California, Irvine, For the Poster: "Differential expression, genome annotation, and enzyme discovery in Drosera capensis." Co-authors: Omar Akbari, Ulysses Castelan, Mark Hadadian, Jonathan Le, Jessica Kelz, Elizabeth Diessner, Elliott Einstein, Megha Unhelkar, Ashley Kwok, Marc Sprague-Piercy, Sofiya Woodcock, Allison Pineda, Pauniz Shabakesaz, David Einstein, Alexandra Garabedian, Aden Alemayhu, Jose Uribe, Rachel Martin, Carter Butts

Best Poster Honorable Mention:
Anna Ferraro, High Point University, For the Poster: "Characterizing plant biochemical responses to pathogenic stress: a spotlight on red leaf spots." Co-authors: Maggie Salley, Bailey McCormick, Andrew Wommacck, Nicole Michelle Hughes

Southeastern Section Student Presentation Awards
The following winners were selected from the Association of Southeastern Biologists meeting that took place at the end of March, 2022.

Southeastern Section Paper Presentation Award
Rachel A. Jessup, North Carolina State University

Southeastern Section Poster Presentation Award
Ryan Long, Jacksonville State University

Student Travel Awards

Bryological and Lichenological Section Student Travel Awards

Hansika Herath, University of Kentucky, Advisor: Nicholas McLetchie, For the Proposal: Testing for long-term acquired thermotolerance in the tropical plant Marchantia inflexa. Co-author: Nicholas McLetchie 

Rho Kackley, Bard College at Simon's Rock, Advisor: Donald McClelland, For the Proposal: A Partial Checklist of the Bryophytes of Montserrat, West Indies

Evita Oļehnoviča, Daugavpils University, Advisor: Anna Mežaka, For the Proposal: Bryophyte functional traits in black alder swamp forests along forest age chronosequence in Latvia. Co-authors: Anna Pastare-Skutele, Anna Mežaka, Ligita Liepiņa

Developmental & Structural Section Student Travel Awards

Cesar Galan, SIPS Plant Biology, Advisor: Alejandra Gandolfo, For the Presentation: Epidermal morphology of the subfamily Athrotaxoideae (Cupressaceae). Co-authors: Ana Andruchow Colombo, Maria Gandolfo

Vandana Gurung, University of Connecticut, Advisor: Pamela Diggle, For the Presentation: The curious case of CUC in corolla tube formation in Mimulus. Co-authors: Pamela Diggle, Yaowu Yuan

Sarita Munoz-Gomez, University of Connecticut, Advisor: Yaowu Yuan, For the Presentation: Creation of novel pigmentation patterns in monkeyflowers (Mimulus). Co-author: Yaowu Yuan

Deannah Neupert, Miami University, Advisor: Richard Moore, For the Presentation: The evolution of structural novelty: A morphological analysis of development in Mimulus and its implications for plant architecture and reproduction. Co-authors: Robert (Rob) Baker, Rich Moore, Jonathan Bauer 

Ecological Section Student Travel Awards

Haley Branch, University of British Columbia, Advisor: Amy Angert, For the Presentation: Transgenerational plasticity and maternal effects alter drought responses in scarlet monkeyflower. Co-authors: Dylan Moxley, Amy Angert

Veronica Gibson, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Advisor: Celia Smith, For the Presentation: Integrated physiological response by four red algae species and analysis of benthic community structure across an environmental gradient of tidally-driven submarine groundwater discharge conditions. Co-author: Celia Smith

Jill Wilson, University of Georgia, Advisor: Megan DeMarche, For the Presentation: Herbarium specimens underestimate phenological shifts in wild populations. Co-authors: Megan DeMarche, Meredith Zettlemoyer

Economic Botany Section Student Travel Awards

Kristen Nolting, University of Georgia, For the Presentation: Do crops have reduced stress tolerance compared with their wild progenitors? Evidence from a comprehensive meta-analysis. Co-Authors: Emily Dittmar, Lisa Donovan, John Burke

Maya Shamsid-Deen (Allen), University Of New Mexico, For the Presentation: A Germination of Freedom: How Blackdom, New Mexico Grew Its Roots through Dry-Farming Crops of the African Diaspora. Co-Authors: Gary Ivan Stafford, and Nokwanda Makunga

Genetics Section Student Travel Awards

Gracy Buckholtz, University of British Columbia, Advisor: Jeannette Whitton, For the Presentation: Tracking a Cryptic Invader: The Morphology and Genetics of Fraser River Estuary Cattails.

Talieh Ostovar, San Diego State University, Advisor: Amy Litt, For the Presentation: Impacts of allopolyploidy on gene expression in Nicotiana section Repandae. Co-authors:  Jacob Landis, Elizabeth McCarthy, Jason Stajich, Elizabeth Waters, Amy Litt

Connor L. Purvis, Francis Marion University, Advisor: Jeremy Rentsch, For the Presentation: Regulation of the Dhurrin Biosynthetic Pathway in Sorghum halepense seedlings. Co-authors: Jeremy Rentsch, Elizabeth Jones

Alyson Van Natto, Queen's University, Advisor: Jannice Friedman, For the Presentation: Mating system and hybridization combine to effect range-wide genetic structure in a coastal endemic plant. Co-author: Chris Eckert

Physiological Section Student Travel Awards

Veronica L. Gibson, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Advisor: Celia Smith, For the Proposal: Integrated physiological response by four red algae species and analysis of benthic community structure across an environmental gradient of tidally-driven submarine groundwater discharge conditions. Co-author: Celia Smith

Thomas Hennessey, Western Carolina University, Advisor: Beverly Collins, For the Proposal: Restoring the Roan: Red Spruce Forest Understory Response to Canopy Gaps at Roan Mountain, NC.

Marissa E. Ochoa, University of California, Los Angeles, Advisor: Lawren Sack, For the Proposal: How does stomatal anatomy influence leaf conductance from minimum to maximum? Causal relationships and meta-analysis. Co-authors: Lawren Sack, Thomas N. Buckley, Christian Henry, Camila Medeiros, Ruihua Pan, Grace Patricia John

Phytochemical Section Student Travel Awards

Tomi Lois Adetunji, North-West University, South Africa, Advisor: Frances Siebert, For the Proposal: Sceletium tortuosum: A review on its phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, biological, pre-clinical and clinical activities. Co-authors: Frances Siebert, Ademola Adetunji, Brian Harvey, J. Gericke, JH Hamman, Frank Van der Kooy

David Henderson, Washington University in St. Louis, Advisor: Jonathan Myers, For the Proposal: Testing the Role that Biotic Interactions Play in Shaping Elevational-Diversity Gradients: An Ecological Metabolomics Approach. Co-authors: Sebastian J. Tello, Brian Sedio, Jonathan Myers

Gordon Younkin, Cornell University, Advisor: Georg Jander, For the Proposal: Comparative transcriptomics of 48 Erysimum species guides discovery of cardiac glycoside biosynthetic genes. Co-authors: Martin Alani, Mahdieh Mirzaei, Georg Jander

Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI) Section Student Travel Awards

Sarah Allen, Penn State Altoona

Jennifer Blake-Mahmud, Hope College

Cecilia Ezeanya, University of Ibadan

Elizabeth McCarthy, SUNY Cortland

Gregory J. Pec, University of Nebraska at Kearney

Qiang Sun, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Susana Wadgymar, Davidson College

Yingying Xie, Purdue University

Pteridological Section & American Fern Society Student Travel Awards

Lacey E. Benson, San José State University, Advisor: Susan Lambrecht, For the Presentation: A morphometric analysis of western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) pinnae and pinnae scales across the coast redwood forest ecological gradient. Co-Author: Susan Lambrecht

Bertrand Black, University of Vermont, Advisor: Michael Sundue, For the Presentation: A phylogenetic revision of the Athyrium filix-femina clade (Athyriaceae) in the Americas. Co-Author: Michael Sundue

Alexandria Quinlan, National Taiwan University, Advisor: Li-Yaung Kuo, For the Presentation: Ferns on ferns: an exploration of low-trunk epiphytic fern gametophytes growing on tree ferns in Taiwan. Co-Authors: Li-Yaung Kuo, Jer-Ming Hu

Jacob Suissa, Harvard University, Advisor: William E. Friedman, For the Presentation: The hydraulic implications of rhizomatous growth and the homorhizic habit. Co-Authors: William Friedman, Andrews Agbleke 

Zane Walker, Oregon State University, Advisor: Gar Rothwell, For the Presentation: A permineralized osmundaceous fern sporeling from the Lower Cretaceous of western Canada. Co-Authors: Gar Rothwell, Ruth Stockey