We’ve Got You!

In 2022, SIVB returned to in-person annual meetings – an essential part of bringing our community back together. Continuing to stay engaged, motivating each other, and learning from each other is now more important than ever for our Society. With this in mind, “We’ve Got You!” is a featured series of the In Vitro Report, which shares the stories of SIVB members, new and seasoned, alike. Regardless of your career stage and area of expertise, we hope these reflections encourage and engage you, our students, colleagues, and members, to pursue your research dreams!

In this issue, we are pleased to highlight the reflections of four Post Doctoral SIVB members — Drs. Lena Neufeld, Yi-Wen Wang, Anne Villacastin, and Aki Matsuoka — who are participating in the Inaugural SIVB’s Mentoring and Talent Cultivation Hub (MATCH) Program. This Program includes one-on-one mentoring, monthly online workshops from May to December 2025, and an in-person networking event at the 2025 SIVB annual meeting in June in Norfolk, VA. The Program’s name “MATCH” signifies the thoughtful pairing of mentees with experienced mentors from diverse institutions and sectors, with the goal of fostering and igniting both personal and professional growth.

We hope that you will enjoy the opportunity to get to know a little more about Lena, Yi-Wen, Anne, and Aki, and find the personal reflections about their journey with the SIVB and the MATCH Program engaging and inspiring. We look forward to reading your stories in this column soon!

Submitted by Addy Alt-Holland and Michael Fay

The MATCH mentoring program has been an invaluable part of my academic journey. Having Dr. Addy Alt-Holland as a mentor who is both an expert in my field and genuinely invested in my growth has helped me navigate the complexities of academia with greater confidence and clarity. Our relationship, built on friendship and mutual respect, has created a safe and supportive space to reflect, grow, and make thoughtful decisions. I truly believe that this kind of mentorship is a powerful catalyst for success and an essential foundation for becoming an independent, well-rounded researcher.

I first heard about SIVB through a lab mate, who shared that Parrott’s lab highly recommended it as a great conference to attend. Although I’ve been working on tissue culture and transformation for some time, I had never participated in a conference specifically focused on in vitro biology. Attending SIVB and joining the MATCH program this year turned out to be a truly rewarding decision!

The MATCH program has been one of the most valuable aspects of my involvement with SIVB. It offers a highly structured format that includes monthly professional development workshops and dedicated 1:1 mentorship. While I always understood the importance of networking, the workshop helped me learn how to network effectively. I was able to apply those strategies right away at the SIVB meeting. I also gained clarity on my transferable skills, which proved especially useful when preparing for behavioral interview questions. Since I was exploring a career transition into industry, I was matched with Dr. Yumin Tao, whose extensive experience in the private sector was incredibly helpful. He generously guided me through how to prepare for industry interviews and provided thoughtful feedback on my job talk, which ultimately helped me secure job offers.

I highly recommend joining the MATCH program to anyone seeking mentorship and career development support. I’m deeply grateful to the organizers and mentors who make this program possible. It gave me the tools and confidence to take the next step in my professional journey.

I first learned about the SIVB during my participation in PlantGENE, where my PI introduced me to its vibrant network of researchers. Engaging in the MATCH program has positively transformed my experience—one that has helped me truly internalize what works best for me in a mentoring relationship and illuminated how diverse insights can emerge from every interaction we have with those around us. The few MATCH workshops that I’ve attended offered a thoughtful space to reflect deeply on my professional journey and connect with others navigating similar paths. I believe I can safely say that many of my fellow postdocs at this stage of their careers would agree that there is a desire for a community that feels both intellectually enriching and personally supportive, and I feel incredibly privileged to be part of one that does. Every meeting with the SIVB group, and with mentors and co-mentees in my MATCH cohort, reassures me that the people in this community genuinely care about our success in this field.

In my lab, I’m the only one who is deeply engaged in plant tissue culture work, focusing on enhancing transformation protocols for some bioenergy crops that are known to be quite challenging to genetically engineer. I have excellent mentors in my lab, but at times it can still feel a bit isolating without peers who fully understand the intricacies, frustrations, and breakthroughs unique to this kind of work. That’s why I like to say I found my people in SIVB—scientists whose curiosities align with mine so deeply that I’ve never felt more seen or understood in my research. The MATCH program has not only expanded my network but also reaffirmed the value of intentional mentorship in shaping a meaningful career. I leave the workshops feeling inspired, grounded, and grateful, and I look forward to many more in the future.

Initially, I knew nothing about the MATCH program when I registered for the SIVB. My professor, Dr. Maliga, forwarded the information to me and my colleague, and we decided to register out of curiosity. I’m so glad he shared it with us—my curiosity quickly won over my skepticism. I have learned so much through MATCH. Topics such as networking, CV/resume/cover letter writing, leadership skills, and more have been extremely valuable for my professional growth, especially as I transition from my postdoc to the next step in my career. I appreciate that we can suggest topics beforehand and that the sessions adapt to postdocs’ needs. This flexibility is fantastic! Hearing stories from both mentors and mentees has also been inspiring.

I was matched with a very compassionate and approachable mentor, Dr. Dubrow. Her feedback on my resume, job applications, and networking strategies has been incredibly helpful. I always prepare questions and set goals before our meetings to use our time effectively. She is a great example I aspire to follow.

The MATCH organizers are also amazing — how can they be so nice? I can genuinely feel that they want all of us to succeed. My goal now is to apply all the skills I have gained from this program to secure a new position and to share what I’ve learned with others.