2024 Interdisciplinary Research Team Award

The Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology

The Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology was established to support research and training that addresses one of the grand challenges of the 21st century—sustaining a global population of 10 billion people in a degraded environment. By focusing on the health and function of plant roots and their symbiotic relationships, the Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology is paving the way for the creation of resilient crops and sustainable agroecosystems.

What sets the Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology apart is its highly interdisciplinary nature. The center brings together expertise from various fields, including microbiology, soil science, genetics, and more. This diverse membership, which includes 80 faculty, students, postdocs, and staff across three colleges, meets regularly to share ideas and foster collaborations. The Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology also co-hosts seminars and social gatherings, understanding that personal connections often lay the foundation for successful research partnerships.

The Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology's commitment to professional development is particularly noteworthy. By hosting speakers, organizing symposia, and providing leadership opportunities on the steering committee, the center ensures that its student and postdoc members are well-prepared for their future careers.

The Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology has also been instrumental in securing over $10 million in funding over the past four years, supporting numerous research projects and publications. As a testament to their academic success, Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology members have produced dozens of publications and secured multiple graduate student and postdoc fellowship grants.

Formed in the fall of 2019, the Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology quickly became a key collaborative space, especially during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The center's leaders and members adapted to virtual meetings, ensuring that new students and trainees could continue to network and collaborate. This resilience and adaptability have allowed the Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology to grow steadily, with an increasing focus on professional training and networking for its members.

Looking ahead, the Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology plans to expand its capacity for root research at Penn State, incorporating cutting-edge technologies like computer vision for high-throughput phenotyping. The center also aims to strengthen connections with applied and extension researchers, further enhancing its impact.

In summary, the Center for Root and Rhizosphere Biology epitomizes the spirit of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. Its members are not only advancing critical research but also building a supportive community that nurtures the next generation of scientists.