Chicago Botanic Garden Fall 2019

24 chicagobotanic.org Garden scientists mentor, inspire One of the most important roles of Chicago Botanic Garden sci- entists is to nurture the next gen- eration of plant scientists. They do this by mentoring approxi- mately 35 students in the joint graduate program in plant biolo- gy and conservation through Northwestern University and the Garden. Those students, in turn, share with other students in the Research Experiences for Under- graduates (REU) and Conserva- tion and Land Management (CLM) internship programs. We talked with some scientists and students in the program to understand why science mentorship—and bota- ny—matters. What is the value of joint programs between botanic gardens and universities? Joanne Crawford , Ph.D., manager of CLM internship program: One thing we are strongly lacking in conservation education is hands-on experience. It’s incredibly valuable for students to work closely with scientists at an orga- nization dedicated to conservation. e joint program gives students the chance to engage with a variety of dif- ferent kinds of scientists. Students get to see there are a variety of ways to have a science career. Jeremie Fant , Ph.D., Garden scientist, co-principal investigator of REU pro- gram: e number of schools teaching botany is rapidly declining. ere is probably going to be a de cit of bota- nists in the near future. Having people who are aware and educated about plant science is really valuable. e Garden encourages students to share their science with Camp CBG and to mentor students in the REU and CLM programs. Having young scientists in- teract with other students helps people see what a real scientist looks like. It doesn’t always look like a white man in a lab coat. ey also get to explain their science to Garden visitors. Taran Lichtenberger , undergraduate and master’s of science, plant biology and conservation: From the joint pro- gram you bene t from relationships Garden scientists have with other insti- tutions. I expressed an interest in com- munications, and the Garden put me in touch with a science communication internship in addition to all the out- reach I get to do here, such as the Un- earth Science festival and talking with visitors. Why do you study plants? Anita Cisternas Fuentes , Ph.D., mas- ter’s of science, plant biology and con- servation (2015): I’ve always been in- terested in plants. ey’re pretty, they provide people with oxygen, and they become food, clothes, and medicine. People focus a lot on how humans can use plants. But in terms of conserva- tion, we need to ask why we’re destroy- ing entire natural habitats for the sake of agriculture or other industries. It’s important to preserve what we have now so we can have it in the future. Left to right: Andrea Gruver, Joanne Crawford, Anita Cisternas Fuentes, Kristen Manion, Jeremie Fant, Imeña Valdes, Taran Licthenberger