iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 6h

BOCES New Vision Life Science students visited BTI on Sept 29 to explore plant science research and our Phenosight facility ahead of their spring internships. Thanks to Alexis Davis for visiting, and to Dr. Julkowska, Dr. McGuire, and Lizzie Trost for sharing their expertise and passion!

A group of students stands in a circle inside a facility hallway, looking on as an instructor gestures while explaining equipment.

An instructor in a pink sweater points up toward a wall-mounted display screen while students look on in a lab hallway setting.

A close-up view of laboratory bench items including squeeze bottles, test tubes, and a paper sheet where a student points at samples.

A researcher in a blue plaid shirt holds up a Petri dish containing a sample to demonstrate it to a surrounding group of classmates.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Tomatoes were bred for size, firmness, and shelf life. Flavor didn't always make the cut. A new BTI study maps the genetic "dimmer switches" behind flavor traits in wild relatives. btiscience.org/wild-tomatoes-still-…

Hands holding several ripe and unripe tomatoes freshly picked from a garden, with green tomato plants and soil visible in the background.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Andes were supposed to stop this cacao killer. They didn't. A study led by BTI president Silvia Restrepo finds Colombia's black pod pathogen is crossing the mountains on transported cacao plant material. btiscience.org/the-andes-were-suppo…

001

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

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.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Meet Jua'nele Webb, one of our 2026 BTI REU researchers! Watch as Jua'nele shares what sparked her interest in plant science, the skills she developed this summer, and how her BTI experience is shaping what comes next.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

On Sept 18, we’re honoring Dr. J. Alan Renwick by dedicating BTI’s Auditorium in his memory. A pioneer in chemical ecology and a beloved mentor, Alan spent 44 years shaping BTI. If you knew Alan and would like to join us, email communications@btiscience.org to RSVP by Sept 11.

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 communications@btiscience.org to RSVP by September 11.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

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.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

It’s hard to believe our summer REU program has wrapped up! Our 10-week summer of research, discovery and fun culminated in the George and Helen Kohut Symposium. Congrats to our researchers and everyone who made this summer a success!

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

On July 17, our NSF-funded undergrad researchers visited Cornell’s CHESS facility to see the new XLEAP X-ray in development. This innovative micro-focusing tech will revolutionize how we study biological & environmental systems. Thanks to Rick Ryan & Louisa Smieska for a great trip!

A group of student researchers stands lined up smiling in an underground tunnel facility along a row of specialized particle accelerator equipment.

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.

A guide points to components along a long research tunnel while presenting to a group of student researchers standing in a concrete hallway.

A group of students watches intently as researchers demonstrate specialized experimental equipment surrounded by complex cabling and ductwork inside a scientific bay.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Brownies and plant cells, oh my! Our summer undergraduate researchers visited Ithaca’s YMCA Camp Adventure to teach a yummy lesson on plant cells! Campers built candy cell models on brownies to learn their functions, then enjoyed their creations. Thanks to YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County!

A large, diverse group of young campers and counselors posing together outdoors in front of a tall, lush green forest with small camp sheds in the background.

A busy covered pavilion filled with children and counselors gathered around picnic tables during an activity, with woods visible in the background.

Four young children sitting at a green picnic table, enthusiastically decorating brownies with colorful candies and gummy worms using instructional science sheets.

A summer researcher holds up an educational sheet about cell biology, while campers look on and at their supplies on the table

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

This weekend, our NSF-funded REU summer undergrads visited the Sciencenter! They helped kids build candy DNA models to learn about its structure and importance. Everyone left with a yummy snack and new science knowledge! Thanks to the Sciencenter and Sierra Coathup for a great activity.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

We were honored to welcome Lorne Montegue and Cathy Emilian from Assemblymember Anna Kelles' office to BTI! They toured our greenhouses and Plant Phenotyping Facility, learned about our research, education, and outreach, and saw firsthand the innovative plant science happening at BTI.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

This week's photo challenge: Show us your favorite place in Ithaca. From campus corners and downtown gems to scenic trails and more, our students shared the places that have quickly become their go-to spots while spending the summer here. Swipe through to see Ithaca from their perspective!

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Members of the Harrison Lab and REU summer researchers spent the weekend at the Ithaca Farmers Market, showcasing Foldscopes and the fascinating partnership between fungi and plant roots. Visitors explored soil health, phosphate cycling, and how this research supports more sustainable agriculture.

Three young adults standing behind an outdoor presentation table with a green tablecloth and a "Boyce Thompson Institute" banner. An educational poster titled "The Phosphate Problem" stands on an easel to the left, with a river and trees in the background.

A young child in a pink cherry-patterned shirt looking through a handheld cardboard viewer at an outdoor table with a "Boyce Thompson Institute" sign.

An educational poster titled "Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Symbiosis" by the Boyce Thompson Institute, featuring diagrams and microscope images that explain how fungi and plants exchange carbon and phosphate.

A circular microscope view showing a stained plant root. Dark blue-stained fungal hyphae and internal structures are visible within the lighter plant tissue.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Some pie-oneering research happened in the Potting Room yesterday... Congrats to the winners of this year's BTI Pie Party contest! 1st: Melanie Filiatrault 2nd: Magda Julkowska A huge thank you to our greenhouse team for organizing, and everyone who baked and attended!

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Week 3 check-in! Our Summer REU students are making the most of their time in Ithaca, exploring its iconic lake, gorges, and waterfalls.

020

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Seven students from the NYS 4-H Career Exploration event spent two days at CROPPs and BTI exploring cutting-edge plant science! They learned about programmable plants, grafting, phenotyping, robotics, gene editing, and GMOs—including Norfolk Healthy Produce's Purple Tomatoes. #4HCareerEx26

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Checking in on week 2 through the eyes of our Summer REU students—and as you might expect, there are plants everywhere!

A tight, top-down macro photograph of a large, ruffled peony flower in a deep magenta-pink color. The delicate, layered petals surround a center filled with intricate yellow and green stamens, framed closely by its own green leaves.

A close-up shot of a bumblebee gathering pollen from the bright yellow center of a pink wild rose flower. The surrounding cluster includes several other pink blooms in various stages of flowering, green leaves, and spent brown flower heads.

A vibrant bush of fully bloomed peonies featuring a mix of soft creamy-white and light pink flowers amidst dense, deep green foliage. Several tight, round green flower buds are scattered throughout the plant, which grows out of a dark wood mulch bed.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Checking in on week 2 through the eyes of our Summer REU students—and as you might expect, there are plants everywhere!

100

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

BTI's Summer REU program is off to a fast start! From conducting research to exploring Ithaca, our researchers have jumped right into the experience. Take a look at photos from their first week and then click the link to learn more about the program: btiscience.org/bti-welcomes...

Two women smiling beside tables filled with large bags of bird seed in a classroom, with posters and people interacting in the background.

Two farm workers plant seedlings using a tractor-mounted transplanter in a field, with rows covered in black plastic mulch under a clear blue sky.

Four people wearing hats and gloves stand in a sunny crop field with young plants, holding tools and talking under a partly cloudy sky.

Three people smiling at the camera while another person observes a sample through a microscope in a laboratory setting.

100

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Congrats to the Ascribe Bio on their new collaboration with Syngenta! It is incredibly rewarding to see a company that was founded on BTI technology taking such massive steps toward global food security. www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...

011

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our summer REU students! We're thrilled to have them at BTI and can't wait to share their research, discoveries, and summer adventures in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned for updates as they explore, learn, and contribute to cutting-edge science.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Today we took a "paws" from our normal activities for some very important research on ear scratches, belly rubs, and treat distribution. Thanks to Cornell Companions for helping BTI take a Paws for a Break today!

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

PhD candidate Yu-Heng Hsieh is studying the signaling compounds that help plants recruit nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria, research that could one day help reduce the need for agricultural fertilizers. Thank you to the the Triad Foundation for helping to make this work possible!

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This week, we were proud to welcome the BTI Board of Directors for an engaging and productive visit focused on the future of the Institute. Discussions around BTI’s Strategic Plan highlighted the strong community, collaboration, and leadership driving our mission forward.

A group of BTI Board of Directors members, faculty, and staff stand together outside the Boyce Thompson Institute building in front of the institute’s sign. The group poses on a sunny day along the building’s brick exterior during the Board’s campus visit.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

BTI PhD candidate Elizabeth "Lizzie" Trost is digging into the powerful partnership between plants and mycorrhizal fungi. With support from the Triad Foundation, Lizzie is exploring the molecular biology behind this underground teamwork and helping pave the way for stronger, more resilient crops.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

This project explores the plant-AM fungi symbiosis, using genetic and metabolomic tools to study how lipids regulate the exchange of phosphate and fatty acids. We aim to enhance this for sustainability. Thanks to the Triad Foundation for supporting BTI’s research.

Promotional graphic for a Triad Foundation Research Grant titled “Signaling in Symbiosis.” The background features abstract, colorful microscopy-like patterns in red, green, and yellow on black. The names Maria Harrison and Frank Schroeder appear prominently in green text. At the bottom are two circular headshots: a woman with dark hair wearing a blue jacket and a man with a beard wearing a suit.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Plant compounds that block the sodium-potassium pump are used to treat heart disease. This project aims to identify the body’s regulators of this enzyme in mammalian tissues using activity assays and metabolomics, with possible implications for heart failure & other metabolic diseases treatment.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Ground-level ozone can harm plants by reducing photosynthesis & weakening stress responses. This study tracks its impact across 244 National Park units, comparing new data with a similar survey 20 years ago, how risks to native plants have changed over time. Thanks Triad Foundation for the support!

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

#EarthDay sprouted in 1970, growing into a nationwide call to protect our planet. At BTI, we’re cultivating planet-positive agriculture and pushing plant science forward—for people and the planet. Let’s grow real solutions together. Plant the seed: btiscience.org/give

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

BTI’s Eric Richards has been named a 2026 @guggfellows.bsky.social—diving into forgotten experiments to uncover what they can teach us about genetics today. Read how the past is shaping the future: cstu.io/abd68a #guggfellows2026

A smiling middle-aged man wearing round glasses and a light blue button-down shirt sits in front of a bookshelf filled with books and framed items, resting his chin on his hand. A green graphic overlay in the lower corner reads “2026 Guggenheim Fellows – Natural Sciences.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Four crops dominate global food. Hundreds of nutritious alternatives sit underutilized. BTI researchers just showed how #CRISPR can change that—engineering compact goldenberry plants that are 35% shorter and ready for commercial farming Read more: cstu.io/1dd08e

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

BREAKING: A new genetic map allows full customization of cucumbers 🥒🧬 Shape. Flavor. Texture. Even personality?!

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Youth leaders from the New York Youth Institute World Food Prize visited BTI on March 20 to explore plant science research, biotechnology, and gene editing. Students heard from faculty member Georg Jander, toured the greenhouse, and repotted purple tomato seeds from Norfolk Healthy Produce.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

BTI’s Isabelle Jacqmotte-Parks and Megan Truesdail joined the Cortland YWCA’s annual Girls Day Out, where girls explored STEAM careers and conducted a hands-on experiment to learn about plant photosynthesis.

Children participate in a hands-on science activity at a table, using leaf samples and a dropper with cups of water while a facilitator demonstrates. A banner reads “Girls Day Out.”

A child punches small circles from spinach leaves with a hole punch during a plant science activity while an instructor stands nearby guiding the experiment.

An instructor helps a student prepare leaf samples for a plant science experiment at a table covered with spinach leaves, books, and lab tools.

Small green leaf disks float in a cup of water during a photosynthesis experiment demonstrating how plants produce oxygen.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

BTI is seeking an experienced Controller to lead financial operations, reporting, compliance, and budgeting in a mission-driven nonprofit research environment. Join a team advancing plant science and global food security. Learn more & apply recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/J...

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Throwback science! 🌿We found this fascinating piece of equipment while digging into the BTI archives. Think you know what it was used for? Take a guess in the comments!

Black-and-white studio photograph of a laboratory clinostat machine with rotating circular plates holding potted plants, labeled “A Continuous and Intermittent Clinostat” from the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research in Yonkers, New York, used to rotate plants to study the effects of gravity on growth.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Roses are red, violets are blue, our research keeps growing, and so does our love for you! 💚 Happy Valentine’s Day from BTI.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

Today we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science by recognizing the scientists at BTI whose curiosity, creativity, and leadership are shaping the future of plant science and agriculture. Their work drives discovery, innovation, and real-world impact.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

We were glad to welcome the Wegmans Food Markets sustainability team and Organic Farm & Orchard leaders to BTI for a visit, sharing ideas on sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems. A great day with partners who care deeply about a healthier, more sustainable future.

020

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Join PlantGENE and industry + research experts for a live Zoom workshop on Automation for Plant Bioengineering Feb 5 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET Includes a 30-min interactive discussion Register: cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season. We're grateful for your support of our mission to advance plant science for a more sustainable, resilient, and healthy world. Thank you for being part of our community and helping build a future where plant science nourishes both people and planet.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

2025 REU alum Hazel Frans shares tips for crafting a strong application, from highlighting your strengths to building confidence in your personal statement: cstu.io/1df4ea. Interested in plant science and research? Our 2026 REU application is open until Feb 2! cstu.io/9e8602.

A graphic with a green border and a quote in black text. The quote reads:
"As a student who wants to pursue research as a career, an REU was a great opportunity to ensure my confidence in that career path. REUs are designed to act as a stepping stone."
Below the quote, the name Hazel Frans is displayed in green text. A small circular photo of a person wearing a pink top appears at the bottom left corner.

A graphic with a green border containing a quote in black text. The quote reads:
"My first offer came from the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) & Cornell University Plant Genome REU, which I happily accepted. The opportunity to intern at a world-renowned Ivy League University would show graduate schools that my research skills are worth investing in. How could I say no to that!"
Below the quote, the name Hazel Frans is displayed in green text. There is a small circular photo of a person wearing a pink top at the bottom left corner.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Proud of our REU alumni! Several members of our 2025 cohort attended ABRCMS in Seattle—and huge congrats to Ankai Jin for earning an Outstanding Poster Award for work in the Kelly Robbins Lab! Applications for our 2026 REU Program are OPEN! reu.btiscience.org

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

BTI was delighted to host the 2025-2026 cohort of Cornell University Humphrey Fellows for a hands-on tour of our facilities last week. Fellows re-potted tomatoes, experienced the Phenosight, and discussed portable DNA sequencing technology.

Several individuals working at a long metal table with potted plants, likely tomato seedlings. The table has colorful rolls of plant tags and boxes of green twist ties. One person is wrapping a plant in a clear plastic bag.

Close-up of a person holding a small potted plant with green leaves, while others work with similar plants on a metal table. Pink plant tags and trays are visible on the table.

Three individuals gathered around a large blue bin, potting plants. Several potted seedlings and gardening tools are on the bin’s surface. The background includes industrial equipment and cardboard boxes.

A person standing in front of a projection screen giving a presentation. The screen displays a slide titled “Phenosight Data” with a blue 3D model and a chart. Several chairs are arranged in rows in the foreground.

010

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

We're thrilled to share that 8 BTI faculty members were named among the top 2% of most cited scientists worldwide. Congrats to our recognized researchers: Zhangjun Fei, Jim Giovannoni, Maria Harrison, Georg Jander, Lukas Mueller, Eric Richards, David Stern, and Joyce Van Eck.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

On this Giving Tuesday, we thank you for sharing our journey of scientific discovery. Your belief in the power of science strengthens our work to advance sustainable agriculture, protect the environment, and improve human health. Together, we are creating lasting change for people and the planet.

000

Boyce Thompson Institute @btiscience.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Today we’re grateful for everyone who believes in the power of plant science to build a healthier, more resilient world. Your support fuels discoveries that protect our food systems and help communities thrive. Enjoy a bonus recipe from our Plant-Powered Thanksgiving series: recipes.btiscience.org

A cozy autumn-themed scene featuring a wooden table decorated with pumpkins, colorful fall leaves, and cranberries. On the table are two spiral-bound cookbooks, one titled Plant-Powered Thanksgiving and another opened to recipes for “Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes” and “Ground Cherry Tart.” A white coffee cup filled with a warm beverage sits nearby. At the top left, the word “THANKFUL” is written in large orange script inside an oval shape.

000