Auburn plant biologists seek to better understand sunflower development and evolution with $750,000 NSF award

Daniel S. Jones, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is the recipient of a $752,045 award from the National Science Foundation Division of Integrative Organismal Systems – Plant Genome Research Project. He is collaborating with Jennifer Mandel, associate professor, at the University of Memphis and John Burke, a Distinguished Research Professor and head of the Department of Plant Biology, at the University of Georgia. In total, the award is for $2.2 million among all three research groups for the next four years.

“The sunflower family (Asteraceae) account for ~10 percent of all flowering plants; however, this entire group is understudied at the genomic level,” said Jones. “Assembling new genomes from across this large family, along with its close relatives, will allow us to bridge an information gap that will directly impact future work with this important group.” 

COSAM Talks with Daniel S. Jones

Hear more about the research Daniel S. Jones is conducting with his NSF award in the article above. In this episode of COSAM Talks, he shares information about his research with sunflowers and the new scientific model is he seeking to develop.

25th Anniversary Summer Bridge Program Alumni Spotlight: From participant to counselor, Brandon Fowler drew inspiration from program leaders to inspire young historically underrepresented students to follow their dreams

A native of Birmingham, Brandon Fowler arrived at Auburn University to participate in the Summer Bridge Program after graduating from Shades Valley High School in 2002. 

Fowler recalled the most helpful part about his experience in the program was having an opportunity to adapt to the college experience in the summer prior to school starting.

“This allowed us to a familiarize ourselves with the campus and academic expectations of first year sciences and mathematics courses,” said Fowler. “The most impactful part of the Summer Bridge experience was building life-long relationships with peers and advisors.”

COSAM study abroad trip opens doors to medical procedures and lifelong connections

“I hope that these study abroad programs will continue to be offered and supported, and that we can provides more scholarships to those otherwise unable to go. The study abroad experiences push students outside of their comfort zone, help them learn more about themselves and are truly once in a lifetime,” said Kaite Cooper.

Inaugural 'COSAM before Convocation' event

The Society of Women in Sciences and Mathematics, or SWSM, hosted its inaugural COSAM before Convocation event on Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. More than 100 entering freshmen and upper classmen joined students, faculty, and alumnae to learn more about COSAM’s departments, organizations, and clubs, to meet classmates, and to seek advice from current members. 

Auburn opens state-of-the-art Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex with start of fall semester

As students returned to campus for a new academic year, thousands started the fall semester in a new facility designed to support Auburn’s commitment to elevating teaching and learning.

The Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex, or ACLC, is a new 151,000-square-foot facility adjacent to The Edge at Central Dining and Auburn Amphitheater that features adaptable classroom spaces, labs, relaxation and study areas, lecture halls and atriums and can accommodate up to 2,000 students at a time. The building’s bottom level features a trio of spacious lecture halls with seating for 96, 200 and 300 students, respectively, and faculty will have the ability to record and broadcast their lectures utilizing the facility’s audio-visual technology.

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