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 Giovanna Teixeira Sandoval Moreira, a talented and motivated PhD student in Plant Pathology at Kansas State University. Giovana is serving as PB Student Co-Chair and Student Delegate on the Program Committee. For her accomplishments, commitment, and many activities within the Society, Giovana is the recipient of the 2025 and 2026 Marietta Wheaton Saunders Award, as well as SIVB Service Awards. In this article, she reflects on the many ways by which the SIVB supported, and continues to support her personal growth and professional development.

We hope that you will enjoy the opportunity to get to know a little more about Giovana and find her story engaging and inspiring. We look forward to reading your stories in this column soon!

Addy Alt-Holland

My name is Giovanna Teixeira Sandoval Moreira, and I am a PhD Candidate in Plant Pathology at Kansas State University. I first attended and presented at the Society for In Vitro Biology Meeting in 2024 in St. Louis and returned to the 2025 SIVB Meeting in Norfolk, where I presented both a poster and an oral presentation. In 2026, I had the privilege of serving as PB Student Co-Chair and Student Delegate on the Program Committee. Looking back, my journey within SIVB reflects much more than scientific participation; it reflects personal growth, professional development, and the value of belonging to a scientific community.

One of the most unique aspects of SIVB is the opportunity it gives students to actively participate in the Society rather than simply attend its meetings. Students are encouraged to contribute, lead, organize activities, serve on committees, and engage directly with established scientists from academia, government, and industry. Through my roles, I gained firsthand experience in leadership, scientific programming, and professional service. These opportunities allowed me to develop skills that cannot be learned in a classroom, including communication, teamwork, event organization, and professional networking.

SIVB also provides a unique environment where scientists working in plant biotechnology, tissue culture, plant transformation, gene editing, cellular biology, and many other areas come together to exchange ideas and collaborate. As a researcher working with CRISPR-based approaches to improve virus resistance in wheat, I have greatly benefited from interacting with experts whose work spans multiple disciplines and applications. These conversations often provide new perspectives that extend far beyond one’s own research area.

What makes SIVB truly special, however, is its people. Every year I attend the meeting, I leave feeling as if I spent a week with family. The Society creates an environment where students can interact with senior scientists in a way that feels approachable and genuine. Conversations that begin during a scientific session often continue during networking events, meals, or informal gatherings. For early-career scientists, these interactions are invaluable. Being surrounded by field leaders who are willing to share their experiences, offer advice, and provide encouragement creates an informal mentoring environment that is difficult to find elsewhere.

As an international student, this sense of community is especially meaningful. At SIVB, I have always felt welcomed, supported, and included. The friendships and professional relationships I have built through the Society have become an important part of my academic journey. The connections extend beyond the conference itself, creating a network of colleagues, collaborators, mentors, and friends that continues throughout the year.

In addition to networking, SIVB consistently provides a source of inspiration and motivation. Every year, attending the meeting gives me a sense of renewal. Listening to cutting-edge research, discussing challenges with fellow scientists, and learning from experts across diverse disciplines helps me return to my own research with fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm. Whether the topic is biotechnology, plant transformation, genome editing, tissue culture innovation, or emerging technologies in biological research, I always leave the meeting having learned something that influences how I think about my own work.

The meeting serves as a reminder that scientific progress is built not only on technical expertise, but also on collaboration and human connections. Every year, SIVB reinforces the importance of building relationships, seeking mentorship, and learning from others. For students and young scientists, these opportunities are truly invaluable.

My involvement with SIVB has also led to opportunities for professional recognition, including receiving the Marietta Wheaton Saunders Award in both 2025 and 2026, and SIVB Service Awards for my contributions to the Society. However, the most valuable aspect of my experience has not been receiving the awards themselves, but the relationships, mentorship, and sense of belonging that the Society has provided.

For me, SIVB is far more than an annual conference. It is a community where students are empowered to contribute, learn, lead, and grow. Each year, the meeting reinforces the importance of building connections, supporting one another, and investing in the future of our scientific community. Those experiences are truly priceless, and they are the reason I continue to be actively involved in the SIVB

Submitted by Giovanna Teixeira Sandoval Moreira