My time is winding down as an intern on the #APSPPB and I’m supposed to write a report...
So I’m doing a twitter thread instead to share it out. Gather round to learn about my #PlantPathPol experience!
#OnBrand @plantdisease (1/n)
So I’m doing a twitter thread instead to share it out. Gather round to learn about my #PlantPathPol experience!
#OnBrand @plantdisease (1/n)
When I first joined the #APSPPB, I was very overwhelmed by being on a Zoom call (lol) with a bunch of professors and “real” plant pathologists. It took me a while to find my sea legs as they say. (2/n)
I didn’t really even know what I was getting into when I signed up for the #APSPPB, but I wanted to see how policy and professional societies intersected. And how #PlantHealth professionals (esp. profs) could impact policy. #PlantPathPol #SciPol (3/n)
On #APSPPB, I was quickly exposed to how many different things were happening and how much plant health and policy overlap. @plantdisease signs on to all kinds of letters aimed at Higher Ed policy, funding, immigration, agency changes, etc! (4/n)
One of my first tasks was to survey the @plantdisease community about priorities for @USDA_NIFA funding programs that we would provide as the voice for our community during listening sessions.
(In case you don’t know this about me, I love making surveys…) (5/n)
(In case you don’t know this about me, I love making surveys…) (5/n)
#PlantPath priorities: plant genetic resistance, pathogen detection/disease prediction, the plant microbiome, and the effects of climate change.
Lesson: Policy is all about picking priorities, requiring us to really think about what we care about most for money/time. (6/n)
Lesson: Policy is all about picking priorities, requiring us to really think about what we care about most for money/time. (6/n)
Next task – attend the US Codex Program Strategic Plan Public Meeting (virtually).
...Now I will admit, I had no idea what the @FAOWHOCodex was before going to this meeting, except this 1 tweet from a conference session, and wow did I learn a lot (7/n)
...Now I will admit, I had no idea what the @FAOWHOCodex was before going to this meeting, except this 1 tweet from a conference session, and wow did I learn a lot (7/n)
Did you know that there are guidelines for all food products, even mango chutney?
The Codex sets tons of science-based food standards including biotech food labeling and risk assessment, pesticide residues, and contaminants like mycotoxins. #PlantPathPol (8/n)
The Codex sets tons of science-based food standards including biotech food labeling and risk assessment, pesticide residues, and contaminants like mycotoxins. #PlantPathPol (8/n)
I wrote up what I learned about @FAOWHOCodex for Phytopath News if you want to know more!
Lessons: Food is political and international collaborations keep the peace and help standardize across systems
#APSPPB (9/n) goo.gl/xiQNoY
Lessons: Food is political and international collaborations keep the peace and help standardize across systems
#APSPPB (9/n) goo.gl/xiQNoY
Meanwhile the #APSPPB was keeping up to date on the potential move of USDA NIFA and ERS, as well as the government shutdown, and the staffing of federal agency leadership positions. Plus getting ready for an annual trip to DC in March that I didn’t attend (10/n)
Apparently that link is broken... useful
apsnet.org/members/commun…
apsnet.org/members/commun…
There are so many topics to cover, letters to sign on to and review, comments to write, meetings to attend, etc., that #APSPPB members can of share responsibilities based on their expertise and interest. There is always more to do!! (11/n)
My personal expertise/interest is #biotech, so when the USDA was updating its genetically engineered rule, I wrote another article on the current regulatory scheme.
Lesson: Find how to share what you know in an accessible, interesting way! (12/n)
apsnet.org/members/commun…
Lesson: Find how to share what you know in an accessible, interesting way! (12/n)
apsnet.org/members/commun…
The first summer of my internship was spent getting ready for our #PlantHealth2019 #APSPPB booth!
Each year, the PPB has a booth that the interns organize and members help staff, to talk with @plantdisease members about #PlantPathPol issues.
(13/n)
Each year, the PPB has a booth that the interns organize and members help staff, to talk with @plantdisease members about #PlantPathPol issues.
(13/n)
Note: at the #PlantHealth annual meetings there is a closed #APSPPB meeting followed by an open one that anyone can attend who is interested in #PlantPathPol.
Look for that as the #PlantHealth2020 meeting agenda gets set! (14/n)
Look for that as the #PlantHealth2020 meeting agenda gets set! (14/n)
Based on feedback at the #APSPPB open meeting, plus other committees’ interest, I submitted a proposal on Exploring Careers at the @USDA for #PlantHealth2020.
While it didn’t get selected as a session, we’re now doing an Idea Café! (15/n)
While it didn’t get selected as a session, we’re now doing an Idea Café! (15/n)
Just being on the #APSPPB, I got to see so many more sides to the @USDA and learned about so many different careers that I wasn’t familiar with, so I’m excited to share that and connect USDA #plantpath folks with #ECRs. (16/n)
Oh and another Lesson: Putting together a session proposal is hard work, but even grad students and early career folks can fill in the program gaps that we see! (17/n)
Another big thing I worked on with #APSPPB was selecting 5 #PlantHealth research posters for the #IYPH2020 congressional reception we hosted in March. I loved showcasing the phenomenal research being done, especially by ECRs. (19/n)
This year I did get to go on the DC trip and I live-tweeted my experience, so you can find out what #APSPPB does when we go to DC by clicking on the hashtag.
Lesson: Relationships and visits take time and effort, but are critical for policy (20/n)
Lesson: Relationships and visits take time and effort, but are critical for policy (20/n)
As part of #IYPH2020, the #APSPPB hosted lunch ’n learns for congressional staffers to learn about #PlantHealth.
Lesson: Staffers are a lot like grad students - they like free food and are often in their 20s.
(21/n)
Lesson: Staffers are a lot like grad students - they like free food and are often in their 20s.
(21/n)
After the #APSPPB trip to DC, I had a lot to do! Follow up thank you notes, writing more Phytopath News articles, connecting people for new #PlantHealth2020 sessions, etc. I’ve been so busy since then, just in time for my internship to be winding down!! (22/n)
My last Phytopath News article as an intern is on the new FDA Feed Your Mind initiative and just came out in June.
But I’ll probably have one more in the winter, based on an action item from one of the DC meetings. (23/n)
apsnet.org/members/commun…
But I’ll probably have one more in the winter, based on an action item from one of the DC meetings. (23/n)
apsnet.org/members/commun…
Alright wrapping it up here, my time on the #APSPPB has led to other engagement with the @plantdisease community.
Through connections, I’ve been on the Plantopia podcast and am helping the #IYPH2020 task force! (24/n)
Through connections, I’ve been on the Plantopia podcast and am helping the #IYPH2020 task force! (24/n)
Did any of this sound cool and interesting to you? Well I posted it now instead of in August at the end of my term because the #APSPPB is accepting applications for its early career internship until July 17th!!
DM me with any ?s!
apsnet.org/members/engage…
DM me with any ?s!
apsnet.org/members/engage…
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