| Yiping Qi Chair (2026-2028) University of Maryland, College Park Dr. Yiping Qi is a Professor at University of Maryland, College Park. He received his PhD in Plant Biology from University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2009. Then, he joined Dr. Dan Voytas lab as a postdoc to develop ZFNs and TALENs for genome editing in plants. He started his own lab at East Carolina University in North Carolina in 2013 and subsequently moved to University of Maryland in 2017. His lab has developed multiple CRISPR genome engineering tools such as multiplexed CRISPR-Cas9 systems, Cas12a systems, and Cas12b systems. He is also interested in repurposing CRISPR systems for transcriptional regulation and has developed CRISPR-Act2.0, Act3.0, and CRISPR-Combo systems. These plant genome engineering tools have been widely used in the plant research community. Dr. Qi is a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher in the past four years, since 2020. He has received multiple awards at University of Maryland, including the 2021 UMD Invention of the Year Award. |
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| Margaret Young Vice Chair (2026-2028) Elizabeth City State University Margaret is a tenured Associate Professor of Biology at Elizabeth City State University. She recently stepped down as the Director of Undergraduate Research. She served as the Education Chair of SIVB 2009-2011. She has had federal and local grants to improve the teaching of plant sciences and molecular biology, which has garnered several departmental awards. These teaching strategies include course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). She has maintained an active research lab in plant tissue culture and transformation of recalcitrant plants including Wisconsin Fast Plants (used extensively in K-12 and undergraduate education). She has mentored over 30 undergrad students at ECSU. She also mentors online high school biology students as part of Planting Science (Botanical Society of America). She currently serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for PlantGene; and for the local community college’s Agribusiness Technology Program. Margaret is originally from Jamaica. |
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Marceline Egnin Secretary/Treasurer (2026-2028) Tuskegee University Dr. Marceline Egnin, a proud Penn State University alumna and distinguished 1890 Land-Grant educator, serves as a Professor of Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology and Program Coordinator for the Plant Biotechnology and Genomics Research Laboratory at Tuskegee University. With over three decades of impactful contributions to research, mentorship, and outreach, Dr. Egnin has established herself as a leader in plant biotechnology, molecular genetics, and omics research. Her federally and locally funded research focuses on plant bioengineering, tissue culture and somatic embryogenesis, agricultural molecular genetics, and CRISPR-based gene editing. A core emphasis of her work is the discovery and functional utilization of developmental and morphogenic genes that influence storage root development and the expression of high-value traits and bioactive compounds in plants. Complementing her molecular research, Dr. Egnin also advances crop phenotyping by integrating machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, thereby enhancing precision agriculture and accelerating data-driven crop improvement. Beyond her laboratory achievements, Dr. Egnin is deeply committed to training and outreach, empowering students, farmers, and communities across the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa through biotechnology education, workshops, and experiential learning in cutting-edge agricultural technologies. Some of her notable research and publications in peer-reviewed journals include genome structure/sequencing of disease-resistant motifs, development of high-protein sweetpotato lines, establishment of plasmid- and RNP-based CRISPR/Cas9 systems in sweetpotato, efficient editing of sweetpotato ibPDS, and the ibeIF(iso)4E Family. She has extensive experience in sweetpotato, peanut, sorghum, and maize. She has previously worked on the genome structure/sequencing of disease-resistant motifs, as well as on the development of high-protein sweetpotato lines at Tuskegee University. She has published numerous journal articles, abstracts, and presentations. Dr. Egnin has also conducted extensive research on nutritional and biosafety aspects of transgenic sweetpotato plants. She has established the acclaimed Innovative Plant Breeding Experiential Education & Training (iBREED) initiative for undergraduates. She is the recipient of several awards, including: SIVB Service Awards, Outstanding Faculty Performance Award In Research, Learning & Service; Sigma-XI Russel Brown Outstanding Honor Research Award; The Honor Society of Agriculture; USDA/CSREES: Group Honor Award for Professional Excellence in Research & Outreach, & Invited Success Stories; Salzburg Fellow, Outstanding Faculty Trainer Awards by ASPB-CSIR-CRI Biotech-to-High-School-Ghana & ABSF-Kenya & SABRAD; Outstanding Chapter President Plaque, World Food Prize-Borlaug Youth Forum Invitee; Invited Speaker & Member Next Einstein Global Forum-Africa & more. She is a Board member of the Council of Agriculture Science and Technologies (CAST) and the Plant Breeding Coordination Committee (PBCC). |
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| 2027 Plant Section Program Chairs
Jon Mahoney |
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Cankui Zhang |
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Yurong Chen |
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| Plant Section Bylaws |
