@BTIscience
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Discovery inspired by plants. Click the link to explore more about BTI and for our “House Rules” for Social Media Comments.
Ithaca, NY
Joined March 2012
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Boyce Thompson Inst retweeted
Our first keynote speaker is Silvia Restrepo @srestrep @BTIscience on Phytophthora infestans sensu lato
What does it take to turn a promising scientific discovery into something that can make a real-world difference?
Sometimes, the answer is more research. More data. Specialized technology. Industry partnerships. Or simply the flexibility to pursue an idea beyond the boundaries of a traditional grant.
That’s where the Cane-Bridge Foundation is making a difference at Boyce Thompson Institute.
Through its support of projects ranging from guayule research for domestic natural rubber to crop disease solutions, therapeutic discoveries, advanced microscopy and BTI’s PhenoSight phenotyping facility, Cane-Bridge is helping scientists bridge the gap between discovery and impact.
At the center of this approach is Project Vault!, a $1 million investment designed to strengthen BTI’s ability to move promising discoveries toward the field, the clinic and the marketplace.
It’s philanthropy with a long-term vision: invest not only in great science, but in what that science needs to go further.
Read the full story to learn how Cane-Bridge is helping build a cycle where philanthropy advances discovery, translation creates opportunity, and successful opportunities help support the science of tomorrow.
btiscience.org/beyond-the-gr…
Meet Benicio “Benny” Sandoval, one of our 2026 BTI REU researchers!
Watch as Benny shares his journey in plant science, his research, and how this summer has shaped his plans for the future.
Meet Jua'nele Webb, one of our 2026 BTI REU summer researchers!
Jua'nele’s summer was all about learning, growing, and discovering new possibilities.
Watch as she shares what sparked her interest in plant science, the skills she developed this summer, and how her experience at BTI has shaped what comes next.
On September 18th, we're celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. J. Alan Renwick by dedicating the Boyce Thompson Institute’s Auditorium in his honor.
𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬@𝐛𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.𝐨𝐫𝐠 — 𝐰𝐞'𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.
Alan's association with BTI began in 1960, when he joined as a research assistant at our original campus in Yonkers. Over the next 44 years, he was continuously engaged with the Institute — as a graduate student, scientist, faculty member, and emeritus professor. He passed away in September 2024 at the age of 88.
A pioneer in chemical ecology, Alan published more than 140 papers on how chemical signals shape the relationships between plants and insects. His early work decoded how bark beetles use pheromones to coordinate mass attacks on pine trees, appearing in Nature in 1969 and still cited today in forest-protection research. He later turned to crop pests, identifying the specific compounds that draw cabbage butterflies to a host plant and those that repel them; his 1994 review on insect egg-laying remains a standard reference more than thirty years on. Across both, he pursued something he believed in deeply: natural, chemistry-based solutions to problems in crop production and forestry.
Alan was a generous mentor; scientists trained in his lab now work at institutions around the world.
Naming our auditorium for Alan feels especially fitting: a space built for gathering, sharing ideas, and building community — the very things he valued about BTI.
ALT Event invitation graphics for the dedication of the Renwick Auditorium in honor of Dr. J. Alan Renwick. Top section: "IN HONOR OF A SCIENTIST, MENTOR & FRIEND. Please join us as we dedicate the RENWICK AUDITORIUM in memory of Dr. J. Alan Renwick." Beside the text is a color photo of Dr. Renwick, an older man with short white hair wearing a light blue polo shirt. Middle section: Three black-and-white photos showing Dr. Renwick in a laboratory setting working with equipment and standing outdoors near a pine tree. Bottom section: Event details listed alongside icons for date, location, and reception: Date: Friday, September 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM Location: Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY Reception details: Reception to follow in the Atrium RSVP instructions: Email [email protected] to RSVP by September 11.
How can better science help build a more sustainable food system? For Benicio “Benny” Sandoval, the answer lies in plant breeding, biotechnology, and research that tackles real-world agricultural challenges. Read about his BTI REU experience! btiscience.org/meet-benicio-…
One unexpected Instagram post sparked Jua’nele Webb’s interest in hydroponics—and set her on a path toward engineering and agriculture. This summer at BTI, she expanded her skills in programming, computational biology, and plant science while discovering just how many possibilities lie ahead.
Read Jua’nele’s story and learn about her BTI REU experience: btiscience.org/meet-juanele-…
What if we could “vaccinate” plants against pathogens?
New BTI research shows that a natural nematode compound called ascaroside 18 can prime plant immune systems for faster, stronger responses—without sacrificing growth.
Field trials showed reduced fungal disease + improved yields in corn and soybean.
Read more:btiscience.org/primed-and-re…
Thomas Hawkins’ path to plant science wasn’t exactly a straight line. From a love of the outdoors to soil science, research, and new possibilities, his REU experience helped him discover where curiosity can lead.
Read Thomas’ story and learn more about his summer at BTI's REU program. btiscience.org/meet-thomas-h…
This summer, Jayna Burch discovered that becoming a scientist isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying curious, slowing down, and finding a community that helps you grow. Read Jayna’s story and learn more about her summer research experience at BTI. btiscience.org/meet-jayna-bu…
Boyce Thompson Inst retweeted
This workshop will provide a solid, foundational look at strategies for keeping your research out of the wrong headlines and in the right ones!
>>>Register Here: cornell.zoom.us/webinar/regi…
#CRISPRplants #stewardship #bioengineering #CRISPR #plantscience #biotechnology
A great spotlight on Benecio Sandoval’s summer research through BTI's REU program! Thank you to East Texas A&M University for sharing his story and highlighting the impact of this important work.
#ETAMU students are helping to protect the future of food. 🥬
Benecio Sandoval has conducted important research during his summer internship at the prestigious Boyce Thompson Institute, utilizing knowledge he gained at ET to succeed.
Read more at etamu.edu/sandoval-bti-inter…
ALT A person in a lab coat inside of a greenhouse.
Three summer researchers. Three different labs. One shared BTI REU experience. Hear from Josh Bradshaw, Zenon Cieslak, and Zakaria Heyer as they share their summer research journey.
It’s hard to believe our summer REU program has already wrapped up!
An exciting summer of research, discovery, fun and new friendships culminated in our annual George and Helen Kohut Symposium, where our summer researchers had the opportunity to showcase the hard work they accomplished over the past 10 weeks.
It was a wonderful day filled with fascinating research, great conversations and plenty of lasting memories. Congratulations to all of our summer researchers—and to everyone who helped make the Symposium and the entire summer a huge success!
We’re so proud of everything this year’s cohort accomplished and can’t wait to see where they go next!
On July 17th, our NSF-funded summer undergraduate researchers stopped by @CHESS_user (Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source) to learn more about the facility and its new XLEAP X-ray! XLEAP is an innovative micro-focusing X-ray that will allow for the study of elemental processes in biological and environmental systems from the sub-micron to the whole-organism scale. While still in development, our students were able to see how this new technology will revolutionize the study of biological systems. Thank you to Rick Ryan and Louisa Smieska for helping set up a great field trip and inviting us to visit!
ALT A group of student researchers stands lined up smiling in an underground tunnel facility along a row of specialized particle accelerator equipment.
ALT A tour guide speaks to a group of students gathered inside a computer-filled control room, with an operator seated at a control panel monitoring multiple screens.
ALT A guide points to components along a long research tunnel while presenting to a group of student researchers standing in a concrete hallway.
ALT A group of students watches intently as researchers demonstrate specialized experimental equipment surrounded by complex cabling and ductwork inside a scientific bay.
Brownies and plant cells, oh my! Our summer undergraduate researchers visited Ithaca's YMCA Camp Adventure summer camp at their outdoor facilities to teach a yummy lesson learning about plant cells. Our undergraduate researchers walked the campers through each part of the plant cell to help them learn about each part's basic function and importance, using each candy item as a different part of the cell. At the end, the students got to enjoy their yummy creations. All campers gave it two thumbs up and learned more about the wonder of plant cells! Thank you to Ithaca YMCA for allowing us to stop by!
