Plant Biology Graduate Group Newsletter
Edition 1 | October 2026
Welcome Back to Fall 2026!
Welcome back, PBGG community!
As our students return from summer break, we are excited to share the inaugural edition of the Plant Biology Graduate Group Newsletter.
The Fall Quarter is bringing plenty of opportunities to reconnect with the PBGG community—from welcoming our newest students to gathering for our annual colloquium and kicking off another year of our Friday Seminar Series.
Whether you graduated last year or many years ago, we hope this newsletter gives you a glimpse into the continued growth, research, and community of the Plant Biology Graduate Group.
We'd love to stay connected with you!
New Leadership in the College of Biological Sciences
The College of Biological Sciences is welcoming several new leaders this fall, including Dr. Frédéric Chédin, Dr. Dave Furlow, and Dr. Philipp Zerbe.
Dr. Frédéric Chédin
Dean, College of Biological Sciences
Beginning September 1, Dr. Frédéric Chédin will serve as the new Dean of the College of Biological Sciences. A professor of molecular and cellular biology and former chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Chédin brings extensive experience in research, graduate education, and interdisciplinary training to the role.
As Dean, Chédin has identified advocacy for faculty, staff, and students as a central responsibility. His priorities include strengthening research infrastructure, supporting core facilities, recruiting and retaining faculty, expanding undergraduate research opportunities, and ensuring that graduate students and postdoctoral scholars remain a vibrant part of the college's research and training mission.
Dr. Philipp Zerbe
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
We are especially excited to welcome Dr. Philipp Zerbe into his new role as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies.
A professor of plant biology and internationally recognized plant biologist, Zerbe will help guide the college's research enterprise while supporting graduate education across CBS's academic departments and graduate groups.
In this role, he will work with faculty, graduate group leaders, core facility directors, and campus partners to strengthen collaborative research, support grant development and shared research infrastructure, and advocate for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. His appointment brings a familiar face from the plant sciences into an important leadership role for research and graduate education across the college.
Dr. Dave Furlow
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs
Dr. Dave Furlow has stepped into the role of Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs, where he will help guide the college's undergraduate academic mission.
A professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, Furlow brings nearly three decades of experience as a researcher, teacher, mentor, and campus academic leader. His work has focused particularly on student success, experiential learning, undergraduate research, and evidence-based teaching.
In his new role, Furlow will work with faculty, advisors, and college leadership to strengthen curriculum, student success initiatives, and opportunities for hands-on learning and research across CBS.
Please join us in welcoming our new CBS leadership team!
PBGG Leadership
Welcome, Dr. Dan Kliebenstein and thank you Dr. Georgia Drakakaki!
For the past two years, Dr. Georgia Drakakaki has served as Chair of the PBGG Graduate Group, providing dedicated leadership and advocacy for our graduate community. In addition to her role as Chair, Georgia has continued to lead the Mentoring Committee and has guided critical initiatives, including the Graduate Group Program Review. She has also collaborated with Graduate Studies to facilitate important conversations around graduate advising, mentorship, and student support.
As Georgia transitions to sabbatical, we extend our sincere gratitude for her leadership, commitment, and unwavering advocacy for both faculty and student voices. Thank you, Georgia, for all you have contributed to PBGG and our community!
We are excited to announce that Dr. Daniel Kliebenstein will be stepping in as Interim Chair of the Plant Biology Graduate Group for the upcoming academic year.
Many members of our community will already know Dan through his research, mentorship, and long-standing contributions to PBGG and the broader plant science community.
Welcome back, Dan—we're excited to have you leading PBGG this year!
Fall 2026 Events
🌱 PBGG Annual Colloquium
September 16, 2026 | 2:00–5:00 p.m. | In Person
One of our favorite PBGG traditions is back!
Our annual PBGG Colloquium took place on September 16 from 2:00–5:00 p.m. in Green Hall 1022, followed by a reception.
The colloquium will featured presentations from current PBGG faculty and students representing a multitude of cohorts, offering an exciting snapshot of the research and scholarship happening across our graduate group.
🌿 PBGG Friday Seminar Series
The PBGG Friday Seminar Series returns October 2!
Our seminar series continues to bring researchers and plant scientists together to share their latest work, ideas, and perspectives with our graduate community.
We invite our alumni to join us whenever you are able and stay connected to the scientific conversations happening within PBGG.
Visit the PBGG website for the complete Fall 2026 seminar schedule and speaker lineup.
The seminar series is currently offered in person. If you require an accommodation to participate, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss available options.
Help Support the Next Generation of Plant Scientists
Our students continue to benefit from the generosity and engagement of the PBGG community. Alumni support helps us create opportunities for students to present their research, connect with scientists and professionals, and build the skills and networks that will carry them into their careers.
Sponsor the 2027 PBGG Colloquium
We are currently seeking sponsors for our Fall 2027 Colloquium.
If you work for, lead, or are connected to a company or organization that may be interested in supporting graduate education and plant science, we'd love to hear from you.
Have a potential sponsor in mind? Please reach out to our Graduate Program Coordinator to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Make a Gift to PBGG
You can also support the Plant Biology Graduate Group through a direct gift. Every contribution helps strengthen the graduate experience and provides opportunities for our students to learn, connect, and grow as scientists.
Make a Gift to the Plant Biology Graduate Group
Be a Speaker for our PBGG Seminar Series
Our Seminar Committee is still in search of potential speakers for our Friday Seminar Series! If you are interested in speaking or would like to be nominated as a speaker, please contact Seminar Chair Dr. Laura Bogar. We would love the opportunity to host you!
Once PBGG, Always PBGG
Our graduate group is strengthened by the community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have contributed to it over the years.
We'd love to hear what you're up to!
Whether you've continued in academia, moved into industry, pursued a career in science communication, entered a completely new field, or simply have a PBGG update to share, please stay in touch with us.
Your experiences and accomplishments are an important part of the PBGG story—and we'd love to feature alumni news in future newsletters.
Thank You for Being Part of PBGG
From current students and faculty to our alumni around the world, thank you for continuing to be part of the Plant Biology Graduate Group community.
We look forward to sharing more news, research, student accomplishments, and opportunities to reconnect throughout the 2026–27 academic year.