Photo by Lynne Nemeth
Nature
A Visit to Our Sister Institution,
Boyce Thompson Institute Together, We Will Identify Pertinent Research Questions and Keep William Thompson's Mission Alive Text by Lynne Nemeth, Executive Director Photos by Mike Carroll, BTI's Communications Associate
O
n my very first day as BTA’s Executive Director, I already had mail waiting for me: a welcome letter and invitation to visit from the President of Boyce Thompson Institute, David Stern. In October, I traveled to BTI, which is located on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.
Boyce Thompson Institute’s mission, “to advance and communicate scientific discovery in plant biology to improve agriculture, protect the environment, and enhance human health,” specifies that the goal of plant science is to benefit society. William Boyce Thompson believed that people’s basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter must be met before As the very first director of BTA to visit BTI, I was greater social goals of education and political invited to sign the Guest Book—a tradition for stability can be met. He wanted the scientists “important” visitors. I am honored to have my at the Boyce Thompson Institute to explore name—and BTA’s—in the book that dates from the mechanisms of the most elemental life 1924. processes, and knew that this progress would ultimately provide the foundation upon which My visit included a tour, a briefing on three many discoveries could be made. research projects, and various meetings. I met individually with David Stern, the BTI Senior As William Boyce Thompson would have Leadership Team (David Stern, Paul Debbie, Dir wanted, Greg Martin’s lab at BTI studies tomato of Research and Business Development, and speck, Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, Stephanie Meyer, Vice President for Institutional a common bacterial disease that occurs Advancement), BTI’s greenhouse manager, worldwide wherever tomatoes are grown. The Brian Bell, and researchers Susan Strickler and disease can substantially reduce crop yields, Fay-Wei Li. obviously affecting food supply. Martin’s lab
14 | Boyce Thompson Arboretum | Winter 2020
