GES Center Lectures, NC State University

Should we expect Moore in Genetic Engineering? Moore's Law, Genetic Engineering and Historical Analogies Ross Bassett, Professor of History at NC State Abstract In 1965 Gordon Moore published a paper with observations on progress in integrated circuits. In the nearly sixty years since, the continued applicability of those observations, now enshrined as Moore's law, has been the driving force behind the power and ubiquity of electronics in today's world. Moore's Law has become the point of reference for any field of science or technology experiencing rapid growth. This presentation looks at Moore's Law in historical detail, arguing that it is as much or more about capitalism than science or technology. The audience is invited to comment on whether a more nuanced and historically accurate Moore's Law might be relevant to genetic engineering. Speaker Bio Ross Bassett is a professor of history at North Carolina State University, where he teaches courses in the history of technology and the history of capitalism. He was originally trained as an electrical engineer and worked at IBM for 8 years. He later received his PhD in history from Princeton. He is the author of two books: To the Digital Age (a history of the MOS transistor), and The Technological Indian. He is currently working on a history of French engineers and their learning and use of the English language. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in person in the 1911 Building, room 129, and live-streamed via Zoom. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | GES Video Library | @GESCenterNCSU | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Understanding the Dynamics of Post-Hurricane Shoreline Protection Decisions Dr. Kiera O'Donnell, Postdoctoral Associate, Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, Duke University Googe Scholar | Twitter @ODonnellKiera93 Insights into the complex factors that shape people's perceptions of their environment and their decisions around shoreline protection. Abstract Coastal communities around the world face a growing threat from rising sea levels, more severe storms, and droughts. To address these challenges, many have turned to natural and nature-based features (NNBF) as a means of reducing hazard exposure while also providing important environmental and social benefits. Despite their many advantages, however, a significant number of waterfront property owners continue to opt for hardened infrastructure to protect their shorelines. Kiera O'Donnell investigated the aftermath of two hurricanes to gain insight into the dynamics between people and their environment in the context of shoreline protection. While both communities surveyed showed an awareness of the protective properties of NNBF, a majority chose hardened infrastructure as their preferred option. Her study sheds new light on the complex factors that influence decision-making in the face of environmental hazards, and highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics to ensure effective and sustainable solutions. Speaker Bio Kiera O'Donnell earned her PhD in 2022 from Northeastern where she worked with Dr. Steven Scyphers and was a member of his Social-Ecological Sustainability lab. Her dissertation research focused on the landscape and social outcomes of Hurricane Irma in the lower Florida Keys and Hurricane Michael in the Florida Panhandle. Kiera holds a BS degree in Oceanography from the University of New England and previously worked at NOAA as a data analyst for sea level and storms. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Don't Dumb it Down, and Other Science Writing Tips and Tricks Bethany Brookshire, PhD, Science Journalist Website | Twitter @Beebrookshire Abstract Bethany Brookshire, science journalist and author of Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains, made the transition from scientist to science writer. Along the way, she learned how many assumptions non-scientists make about scientific writing…and how many assumptions scientists make about non-scientific readers. The world of science writing is, in its way, just as much of a specialty as genomics, and Brookshire is here to pull back the curtain on it all. Related links: Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains (also available as audiobook) Related same-day events: 4:30-5:30 PM – Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains, @ Fishbowl Forum, D.H. Hill Library 7:00-8:30 PM –  A conversation with Dr. Bethany Brookshire and NCMNS Mammalogist Dr. Mike Cove, WRAL 3D Theater, NC Museum of Natural Science (to be filmed by C-SPAN!) Speaker Bio Bethany Brookshire is a freelance science journalist and the author of the December 2022 book, Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains. She is also a host and producer on the podcast Science for the People. She is a former staff writer with Science News magazine and Science News for Students, a digital magazine covering the latest in scientific research for kids ages 9-14. Her freelance writing has appeared in Scientific American, Science News magazine, Science News Explores, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, Slate and other outlets. Bethany has a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She was a 2019-2020 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT. GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building, Room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Benefit-cost analysis and alternatives for evaluating biotechnology policy Zachary S. Brown, Associate Professor of Agricultural & Resource Economics, NC State Website | Twitter @TheKazath A look at the limits of benefit-cost analysis (BCA) in biotechnology governance and discussion of its social utility compared to alternatives. Abstract Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is a ubiquitous method for evaluating policies throughout the US federal and state governments and around the world. It has been used for both normative and descriptive purposes, both prospectively and retrospectively, to assess the economic efficiency of policies. However, there are significant and well-known limitations in the method, especially in its insensitivity to fairness, equity, and justice. With these considerations receiving increasing prominence in political and policy discourses, including those surrounding biotechnology governance, what is the social utility of BCA going forward (compared to alternatives)? In this colloquium, I will quickly review the basic economic theory motivating BCA, summarizing some of my recent research deconstructing the method's inherent indeterminism. I will then outline different areas of biotechnology policy in the US government where a role for BCA has been – or could be – implicated. I will describe a partial BCA from my own research evaluating the consumer welfare implications of agricultural gene drives, to motivate audience discussion questioning the utility of BCA in biotechnology governance. Related links: Brown, Z. S. (2022). Distributional policy impacts, WTP-WTA disparities, and the Kaldor-Hicks tests in benefit-cost analysis. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 113, 102654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeem.2022.102654. PDF > Jones, M. S., Delborne, J. A., Elsensohn, J., Mitchell, P. D., & Brown, Z. S. (2019). Does the US public support using gene drives in agriculture? And what do they want to know? Science Advances, 5(9), eaau8462. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aau8462. PDF > Jones, M. S., & Brown, Z. S. (2019). Landscape-level pest control externalities when consumer preferences are non-neutral. In 2019 Annual Meeting, July 21-23, Atlanta, Georgia (No. 290815). Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. PDF > Speaker Bio Dr. Zack Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, serves on the Executive Committee of the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center, and is also a faculty affiliate of the Center for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics and Policy (CEnREP) at NC State. He teaches classes in environmental and resource economics in NC State's Economics Graduate Program and also teaches and advises students in the AgBioFEWS graduate fellowship program funded by the National Science Foundation. His research broadly examines questions in the field of bioeconomics, examining interactions between economic agents and biological and ecological systems. GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in 1911 Building Room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genes & Society: Decolonizing Human Genetic Research Workshop Series The Genomic Fire Next Time: Reflections on charting your scientific path Dr. Latifa Jackson, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Howard University Website | Twitter @latifajackson Multi-omic data has been used to create narratives about who we are as humans—are they correct or do they tell a very one-sided story? Hosted in collaboration with BAA (Being an Ally in Academics). Related reading: First Person: Latifa Jackson, _American Scientist _ As an assistant professor of pediatrics at Howard University, Latifa Jackson is concerned with public health, but also with evolutionary biology and the genetic signatures of selection that can affect disease outcomes. Jackson is part of an initiative at Howard's William Montague Cobb Research Laboratory called the 1,000 African-American Genomes Project, which aims to compare samples from different populations of current and ancestral Africans to determine differing allele frequencies. Genes & Society Workshop Series While the events over the last several years in the United States have placed an important focus on issues of race, diversity, and systemic inequalities; these issues are long-standing and embedded within institutions, academic disciplines, and the broader scientific community. In response to the most recent examples of these inequalities, NC State has stated that “Diversity is critical to NC State's mission” and that “New perspectives deepen our understanding, strengthen our community and propel our innovation.” Building upon NC State's mission statement and past successful race and science events, NC State's Being an Ally in Academics (BAA) group has collaborated with Genetics and Genomics Academy, the Genetics and Engineering in Society Center (GES), and TriCEM to organize a new two-day workshop series titled, “Genes and Society: Decolonizing Human Genetic Research”. The goal of this series is to explore the current and historical intersections of racism, systemic inequalities, and human genetic research with an emphasis on inviting diverse and historically underrepresented groups as seminar speakers. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Dominique Brossard, PhD, Professor and Chair in the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Website | Twitter @brossardd In an age of rapid advancements in genetic research and technology, it's more important than ever to understand the impact of communication on how we perceive, understand, and engage with publics about genetic information. Related links: Brossard, D., & Scheufele, D. A. (2022). The chronic growing pains of communicating science online. Science, 375(6581), 613-614. DOI: 10.1126/science.abo0668. PDF (*Unity ID required) Speaker Bio Dr. Dominique Brossard is professor and chair in the Department of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an affiliate of the UW-Madison Robert & Jean Holtz Center for Science and Technology Studies, the UW-Madison Energy Institute, the UW-Madison Global Health Institute, the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Morgridge Institute for Research. Her teaching responsibilities include courses in strategic communication theory and research, with a focus on science and risk communication. Brossard's research agenda focuses on the intersection between science, media and policy with the Science, Media and the Public (SCIMEP) research group, which she co-directs. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and of the International Communication Association, Brossard is an internationally known expert in public opinion dynamics related to controversial scientific issues. She is particularly interested in understanding the role of values in shaping public attitudes and using cross-cultural analysis to understand these processes. She has published more than 100 research articles in outlets such as Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Science Communication, Public Understanding of Science, the International Journal of Public Opinion, and _Communication Research _and has been an expert panelist for the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) on various occasions. She currently serves on the NASEM Climate Communication Initiative Advisory Committee as well as on the Executive Committee of the Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN), which aims at facilitating rapid and actionable responses to social, behavioral, and economic-related COVID-19 questions. Brossard is a member of the Board on Life Sciences of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. She is also on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences and she is the Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation. Brossard has a varied professional background that includes experience in the lab and the corporate world. Notably, she spent five years at Accenture in its Change Management Services Division. She was also the communication coordinator for the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII), a position that combined public relations with marketing communication and strategic communication. Her family worked dairy farms for many generations. Brossard earned her M.S. in plant biotechnology from the Ecole Nationale d'Agronomie de Toulouse and her M.P.S and Ph.D. in communication from Cornell University. You can find a list of her publications on Google Scholar. GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building, Room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

GE Foods Regulation - The U.S. Way Fernanda Santos, PhD, Teaching Assistant Professor, Food Science, NC State University Website | Twitter @fbnsncstate Abstract "The definition of food law used to be a simple one – it encompassed food regulatory law with two main audiences: lawyers and the regulated food industries. Today, however, food law is often broadened in meaning to include all law related to agricultural trade, such as how food is grown, humane animal treatment, and environmental rules for farms and processors." (From Food Regulation by Neal Fortin) The development of genetically engineered foods created an even greater (and heated) discussion linked to several complex issues, especially safety in terms of consumption and the understanding of their impact on the environment. So, the question is: "How should these foods be regulated?" The United States takes a more relaxed approach compared to the strict rules of the European Union. Despite the differences, the final goal is the same: ensuring that foods entering the markets are safe for consumption. This presentation will summarize the main characteristics of the regulation of genetically engineered foods in the United States. Related links: Fortin, N. Food Regulation: Law, Science, Policy, and Practice. Wiley, 2nd. ed., 2022. Roberts, M.T. Food Law in the United States. Cambridge University Press, 2015. Strauss, S., Sax, J. Ending event-based regulation of GMO crops. Nature Biotechnology, 34, 474–477 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3541 BE Disclosure | USDA Biotechnology | USDA How GMOs Are Regulated in the United States | FDA Movement of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms – Final Rule | Federal Register “Natural” Modifications: The FDA's Need to Promulgate an Official Definition of “Natural” that Includes Genetically Modified Organisms | The George Washington Law Review Regulation of Biotech Plants | USDA Revised Regulations (previously SECURE Rule) | USDA Same Science, Different Policies: Regulating Genetically Modified Foods in the U.S. and Europe | Harvard University What's the Right Way to Regulate Gene-Edited Crops? | Leaps.org Speaker Bio Dr. Fernanda Santos is a veterinarian, poultry scientist, and food safety specialist. During her veterinary training, her primary focus was zoonotic diseases and disease prevention. Then, she focused her work on pathogen growth in foods of animal origin, quality control programs, and molecular tools. She has also studied alternative methods and nutritional strategies to improve performance and reduce Salmonella intestinal colonization in poultry. Currently, at NC State, her focus is food safety and course development. She is responsible for the graduate food safety minor and teaching several courses in the food science program, including food laws and regulations and food product development. She has also created a new series of courses, “The Discover Series”, which are food science-related courses that are taught not only to food science/nutrition students but also to any undergraduate student who seeks to understand the science behind foods and controversial topics of food and nutrition. GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building, Room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Panel: The Challenges, Successes, and Sustainability of NSF National Research Traineeships (NRTs) on Food, Energy, and Water Systems (FEWS) Panelists: Karletta Chief, PhD, Director, Indigenous Resilience Center; Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona Amy R. Sapkota, PhD, Professor, School of Public Health, Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health Yael Perez, PhD, Development Engineering Program Director at the Blum Center and the InFEWS Program Coordinator Joining us from three different NSF research traineeships on food, energy, and water systems (FEWS), our panelists will share each programs' challenges, opportunities, and sustainability. Abstract The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program seeks to explore ways for graduate students in research-based master's and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers. The program is dedicated to effective training of STEM graduate students in high priority interdisciplinary or convergent research areas, through a comprehensive traineeship model that is innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with changing workforce and research needs. Join us as the GES Center hosts a panel to learn about three NRT programs focused on Food, Energy and Water Systems (FEWS). Now that the programs have finished and/or are close to finishing, what future lies for their continuation? What lessons have they learned about implementing an interdisciplinary and convergent research program? We will discuss each programs' challenges, opportunities, and sustainability with the traineeship. Our speakers include: Dr. Karletta Chief with Indige-FEWSS (Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty) at the University of Arizona, Dr. Amy Sapkota with the Global STEWARDS (STEM Training at the Nexus of Energy, WAter Reuse and FooD Systems) program at the University of Maryland, and Dr. Yael Perez with InFEWS (Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy, and Water Systems) at the Blum Center for Developing Economies at the University of California Berkeley. Related links: Indige-FEWSS UMD Global STEWARDS InFEWS NSF Program abstracts and resulting publications: – Indige-FEWSS: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1735173 – UMD Global STEWARDS: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1828910 – InFEWS: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1633740 Panelist Bios Dr. Karletta Chief (Diné) is a Professor and Extension Specialist in Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Dr. Chief works to bring relevant water science to Native American communities in a culturally sensitive manner. As Director of the Indigenous Resilience Center, she aims to facilitate efforts of UArizona climate/environment researchers, faculty, staff, and students working with Native Nations to build resiliency to climate impacts and environmental challenges. Two of her primary tribal projects are The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Climate Adaptation and Traditional Knowledge Project and Gold King Mine Spill Diné Exposure Project. Dr. Chief also leads the NSF Indigenous Food, Energy, and Water Security and Sovereignty Program and is training 38 graduate students. Indige-FEWSS's vision is to develop a diverse workforce with intercultural awareness and expertise in sustainable food, energy, and water systems (FEWS), specifically through off grid technologies to address the lack of safe water, energy, and food security in Indigenous communities. Dr. Amy Sapkota is an MPower Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. She is the Interim Director of the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health and the Director of CONSERVE: A Center of Excellence at the Nexus of Sustainable Water Reuse, Food & Health that was launched with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture in 2016. She is also the Principal Investigator of a doctoral training program, UMD Global STEWARDS (STEM Training at the Nexus of Energy, WAter Reuse and FooD Systems)—funded by the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) program—that is preparing a cadre of future leaders focused on innovations at the nexus of food, energy and water systems. Dr. Sapkota's research interests lie in the areas of environmental microbiology, environmental microbial genomics and exposure assessment. Her projects evaluate the complex relationships between environmental microbial exposures and human infectious diseases, with a special focus on assessing the public health impacts associated with water reuse. Dr.  Yael Perez is the Development Engineering (DevEng) Program Director at UC Berkeley's Blum Center for Developing Economies, managing the DevEng Masters and the DevEng PhD Designated Emphasis. Yael holds a PhD in Architecture from UC Berkeley with a scholarship on co-design methodologies and technologies to support and empower communities and design practitioners in fostering sustainable development. For over a decade, she has been collaboratively leading CARES—Community Assessment of Renewable Energy and Sustainability—a team of UC Berkeley faculty and students working with Native American Citizens in their pursuit of sustainable development. Recently, this initiative grew into the Native FEWS Alliance, a cross-institutional collaboration working to significantly broaden the participation of Native American students in Food, Energy, and Water Systems (FEWS) education and careers to address critical challenges facing their communities. Before joining the Blum Center, Yael was a visiting scholar at IIT Mandi (India). GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building, Room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Food sciences, technology, and globally sustainable food systems Dr. Jonathan Allen and Rebekah Brown, Food Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, NC State University Website | Twitter @fbnsncstate Where the food science and nutrition communities have come and may be going in defining sustainable food systems with examples from research in the NC State Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Department. Abstract Achieving sustainable food systems has been a growing agenda item among scientists, food and nutrition associations, and the food industry. Examples of goals and actions for some of these groups can be contrasted with the projects that individual scientists try to wedge into the sustainability umbrella. Similar examples from past NC State food and nutrition research will show that trends in research funding for specific projects to meet industry needs can now be rewritten to show progress toward a sustainable food system, even when that might not have been the original intent of the research. The research interests of international and domestic students and the groups that provide their funding also create an interesting contrast in this field. Additional progress can be made as we address the teaching and research of our current students to create the future scientists who will evolve the understanding of a sustainable food system. Additionally, Ms. Brown will be reporting briefly on the National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group meeting as it pertains to her research and food science study. The National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group is comprised of stakeholders across industry, academia, and government which meets annually to discuss emerging research. The fields of study present at the meetings include, but are not limited to plant physiology, plant breeding, molecular biology, pathology, entomology, cultural practices, food science, and marketing. The objective of the meeting is the rapid dissemination of information to improve the growth of sweetpotatoes and sweetpotato products in the United States for the benefit of the multiple stakeholders. Ms. Brown's research involved a preliminary consumer survey of health, purchasing habits and acceptance/awareness of biotech in the sweetpotato sector. Related links: National Sweetpotato Collaborators Group Speaker Bios Dr. Jonathan Allen is a professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Science at North Carolina State University and Director of the Food Science Graduate Program. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in milk and dairy products, lactation, exercise nutrition, and energy metabolism. His research projects cover glycemic control as impacted by food processing and bioactive components in foods such as sweet potato, peanuts and milk, nutrient fortification of flour, and processing strategies. Allen has gained an international reputation for the understanding and potential amelioration of such chronic diseases as infant growth retardation, metabolic bone disease, diabetes, and hypertension. He has trained students who hold food industry, government, academic, and NGO positions in more than a dozen countries. A Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and the Institute of Food Technologists, Dr. Allen has been active in the IFT Dairy Foods Division and new Sustainability Division with technical research paper reviews and graduate student competitions, and was on the IFT Dietary Guidelines for Americans Task Force. He is a member of the Climate/environment, Health, Agriculture and Improved Nutrition (CHAIN) Research Interest Group of the American Society for Nutrition. Rebekah Brown is a Cohort 3 AgBioFEWS fellow and PhD candidate in the Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences Department at North Carolina State University. Some of her research involves stakeholder engagement regarding the use or acceptance of biotechnology in sweetpotatoes and sweetpotato products as well as the health and sustainability of different processing techniques. GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building Room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Nonhuman Animals Containing Human Cells: Ethics and Oversight Karen Maschke, PhD, Research Scholar at The Hastings Center Website | Twitter @hastingscenter This presentation focuses on ethical and oversight issues as they relate to the insertion of human cells into nonhuman animals, e.g., “chimeric research.” Abstract Research involving the insertion of human cells into nonhuman animals at various stage of development – referred to here as chimeric research – has helped scientists learn how human cells behave in a living environment. Advances in human stem cell science and gene editing are enabling scientists to more extensively and precisely insert human cells into nonhuman animals at any stage of development. Scientists have conducted in vitro experiments with chimeric embryos and in vivo studies that create chimeric animals. The goals of these studies include developing more accurate models of human diseases, creating inexpensive sources of human eggs and embryos for research, and developing sources of tissues and organs suitable for transplantation into humans. Yet concerns have been raised that by biologically altering nonhuman animals with human cells – particularly at an early stage of the chimeric animal's development – scientists may end up changing them in morally relevant ways, especially if the chimeric animals exhibit “humanlike” behaviors or capacities that they previously lacked. An NIH-funded interdisciplinary research project of The Hastings Center and Case Western Reserve University examined the ethical, oversight, and policy issues regarding research that involves the transfer of human embryonic or induced pluripotent cells, or cells derived directly from them, into nonhuman animals or nonhuman animal embryos. This presentation highlights three of the project's recommendations: scientists, journalists, bioethicists and others writing about chimeric research should use precise and accessible language that clarifies rather than obscures the ethical issues at stake; animal welfare is a primary ethical issue and should be a focus of ethical and policy analysis as well as the governance of oversight of chimeric research; and enhanced communication between institutional committees involved in oversight of chimeric research is needed, as well as a mechanism for a national discussion amongst those in oversight of these studies. Related links: Clarifying the Ethics and Oversight of Chimeric Research, Josephine Johnston, Insoo Hyun, Carolyn P. Neuhaus, Karen J. Maschke, et. al., 2022 Composite Animals: Then and Now, Amy Hinterberger, 2022 Human, Nonhuman, and Chimeric Research: Considering Old Issues with New Research, Jeff Sebo, Brendan Parent, 2022 Threats to Benefits: Assessing Knowledge Production in Nonhuman Models of Human Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Carolyn P. Neuhaus, 2022 Moral Status and the Oversight of Research Involving Chimeric Animals, Patricia Marshall, Kaitlynn P. Craig, Insoo Hyun, 2022 A Conversation with Chimeric Animal Researchers, Kaitlynn P. Craig, 2022 How Chimeric Animal Research Impacts Animal Welfare: A Conversation with Animal Welfare Experts, Kaitlynn P. Craig, 2022 Speaker Bio Karen J. Maschke, PhD is a Research Scholar at The Hastings Center and the editor of the Center's journal, Ethics & Human Research. As a researcher with training in political science and bioethics, she focuses on policy and ethical issues related to the introduction, use, regulation, and oversight of new biomedical technologies. She recently completed two projects: the NIH-funded project, “Actionable Ethics Oversight for Human-Animal Chimera Research” (co-Principal Investigator) and the NSF-funded project, “Public Deliberation on Gene Editing in the Wild” (co-Investigator). She is currently the lead co-Principal Investigator of the NIH-funded project, “Informing Ethical Translation of Xenotransplantation Clinical Trials.” She is interviewed frequently by the media, appearing in AP, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Washington Post, Kaiser Health, STAT News, Reuters, and Bloomberg Law. Her recent book (co-authored with Michael K. Gusmano), is Debating Modern Medical Technologies: The Politics of Safety, Effectiveness, and Patient Access (Praeger, 2018). GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building, room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

4S 2022 Cholula: Reunion, recuperation, reconfiguration. Knowledge and technosciences for living together Sebastián Zarate and Jill Furgurson, AgBioFEWS PhD Fellows, NC State University The 2022 Annual 4S conference brought together researchers and practitioners to explore science, technology and innovation across different cultural, economic and social settings. Abstract The 4S Meeting is an annual conference organized by the Society of Social Studies of Sciences (4S). Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an academic field of research that focuses on the relationships between science, society, technology and innovation across different cultural, economic and social settings. 4S 2022 was held in Cholula, Mexico and was the second joint meeting with ESOCITE (The Latin American Science and Technology Studies Association). The conference was trilingual (Spanish, Portuguese and English) as part of the goal to diversify STS to other regions in the world such as Latin America. As AgBioFEWS scholars, we focused our attention on topics related to genetic engineering, governance of emerging technologies, agriculture, conservation and participatory methods. Overall, it was an enriching experience that increased our knowledge of STS methods and theories and expanded our professional networks. Related links: Society for Social Studies of Science 2022 Meeting Speaker Bios Sebastián Zarate is a PhD student at NC State's Forestry and Environmental Resources Department. Sebastián comes from Peru with a background in social sciences. He graduated from Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru with a B.A in Sociology and has a master's in Science and Technology Policy from Arizona State University. He has worked in GRADE (Grupo de Analisis para el Desarrollo) a Peruvian Think Tank that focuses on public policy and co-founded Sidereus Nuncius, a nonprofit that is involved in the governance of science and technology in Peru. He is part of the AgBioFEWS Fellowship at NC State. He is interested in science and technology policy in Latin America, sustainability, emerging technologies, natural resources, and the environment. Jill Furgurson is a first year PhD student in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State. Her current research explores how broader stakeholder engagement can support more inclusive decision making around the evaluation of new environmental biotechnologies, such as the genetically engineered (GE) American Chestnut tree. In particular, how can the exchange of different kinds of knowledge, especially Indigenous knowledge, support more trusted and just decisions? She holds an M.S. in Forestry and Environmental Resources, where she conducted research pertaining to the sustainable use of natural resources used in Cherokee art forms. Her research for her M.A. in Geography assessed the impact of various social, spatial, and environmental risk factors on disease incidence. GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building, room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Has the UN Biodiversity Convention been a force for ‘good' or ‘evil' in how biotech crops are regulated globally? AgBioFEWS Panelists: Asa Budnick, Nick Loschin, Joseph Opoku and Modesta Abugu AgBioFEWS Fellows Asa Budnick, Nick Loschin, Joseph Opoku Gakpo and Modesta Abugu will share their observations on and interrogate practices at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada that eventually lead to global decisions on the governance of biotech crops. Abstract The United Nations' Biodiversity Conference is a once every two years conference led by the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that gathers stakeholders from all over the world to set out global plans on how to protect biodiversity. The December 2022 conference laid out a new set of nature protecting goals to be implemented from now till 2030, dubbed the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The conference held from the 7th to 19th December 2022 served as the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP 10), and the Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (NP-MOP 4). We present learnings from our participation in various plenary and working group sessions which deliberated on biotechnology regulations, risk assessment, detection and regulation of living/genetically modified organisms, agroecology, digital sequence information (DSI), among others. We also speak about our one-on-one meetings and side events with various delegates and groups, and inform on the role of academia and research organizations in influencing policy decisions at the CBD – COP. And then, respond to the question: Has the UN Biodiversity Convention been a force for ‘good' or ‘evil' in how biotech crops are regulated globally? Finally, we provide overall recommendations on how these deliberations could be improved if it should continue serving as the platform for decision making on biotech crop regulations globally. Related links: United Nations Biodiversity Conference COP15 concludes with historic deal to protect biodiversity Blog: Reflections on COP15, by Willy Wei, Nick Loschin, and Khara Griger, 1/13/23 Speaker Bios Modesta Nnedinso Abugu (@modestannedi) is a PhD student in the sweetpotato breeding and genetics program, under the supervision of Dr. Craig Yencho and Dr. Massimo Iorizzo. Her research seeks to understand the genetic mechanism of interaction of various sweetpotato flavor compounds. She is passionate about communicating science to the public, especially on the potentials of agricultural biotechnology tools in promoting food security, and also interested international regulation of biotech crops. She obtained her masters degree in Horticultural Science from the University of Florida, and BS in Biochemistry from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Joseph Opoku Gakpo (@josephopoku1990) is a PhD student in Agricultural and Extension Education at the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, NC State University. His research interests include: communicating controversial sciences like GMOs, vaccinations, and climate; factors that influence success in agricultural education; and how communication is shaping global philanthropic efforts to reduce poverty. He holds a Bsc in Agricultural Biotechnology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from NC State. He is a journalist by profession and is the 2018 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists' Best Video Journalist Star Prize Award winner. He was also a 2016 Global Leadership Fellow with Cornell University's Alliance for Science Program. Nick Loschin is a PhD student in the Applied Ecology Department, working in the Interdisciplinary Risk Sciences team under Dr. Khara Grieger. He decided to join the PhD program at NC State because he is interested in better understanding the interdisciplinary intersections between risk assessment, sustainability, and community engagement within the context of new food and agriculture technologies. Over the past few years, he has been working at US EPA as an ORISE Research Fellow where he has centered his work within social and natural sciences in order to make science more accessible to diverse groups. More specifically, his team is situated within the Sustainable and Healthy Communities National Research Program, where they focus on environmental justice, science translation, and cumulative risk impacts. He also volunteers with the RTP Speakers Bureau, where he regularly gives presentations on sustainability to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Asa Budnick is pursuing a PhD in Plant Biology. He works in the lab of Dr. Heike Sederoff studying plant molecular biology and genetics. Asa graduated with a BS in Biology from Northeastern University in 2018. Before entering NC State, he worked at MIT, Editas Medicine, and Inari Agriculture. With a focus on sequencing and gene editing technology development for crop improvement. Asa wants to work to improve food system sustainability and food sovereignty while utilizing and building an understanding of plant genetics. GES Colloquium (GES 591-002) is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will generally be live-streamed via Zoom, with monthly in-person meetings in the 1911 Building, room 129. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

This is a bonus episode featuring a special guest hosted by the NC State Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and GBIRd – Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents programs. Note, the audio is a little rough due to the way it was recorded. The video is also available here, as well as the PDF of the presentation slides. Dr. Tanja Strive, Senior Principal Research Scientist at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO), Australia's National Science Agency “Prospects for genetic biocontrol of vertebrate pests in Australia” Thursday, December 8, 2022, 3:00-4:30 PM Abstract: Deliberately or accidentally introduced invasive species have cost the Australian economy AUD$390 billion during the past 60 years, with vertebrate pests such as feral cats and rabbits amongst the costliest, and more effective landscape-scale management tools are needed. Novel revolutionary genetic technologies have recently been developed that can force modified genetic traits into an animal population, defying the constraints of normal Mendelian inheritance. Combined with a highly specific gene editing system, this technology has the potential for population control of pests, for example by creating all-male or female infertile offspring which would ultimately lead to the collapse of the target population. Delivered and spread through sexual reproduction the potential of this powerful new technology is unprecedented, making pest eradication theoretically feasible. Proof of concept in a mammalian model system (mice) has recently been achieved, raising the possibility of exploring these technologies for some of Australia's most intractable and damaging vertebrate pests. In line with the Guiding Principles for Sponsors and Supporters of Gene Drive Research (Science, 2017), in addition to technical developments, extensive consultations are currently underway in Australia with key stakeholders including scientists, government regulators, policy makers and public representatives. Moving forward it will be essential to ensure a transparent and informed debate, responsible conduct of science, provide a robust regulatory framework, and to identify key pathways and barriers to adoption of any putative genetic control tools. Related links: CSIRO – Biological Control of Rabbits Tanja Strive on Google Scholar Download event flyer Speaker Bio: Dr. Tanja Strive is a Senior Principal Research Scientist within CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, based in Canberra, Australia. A molecular virologist by training, she joined CSIRO in 2002 following the completion of the PhD at the Philipps University in Marburg, Germany. She has since worked on a series of projects investigating lethal and non-lethal, and both GM and non-GM, biocontrol options for a range of feral animal species, including European foxes, mice, cane toads and rabbits. During the past ten years Tanja has led a project portfolio of both applied science and fundamental research projects aimed at developing a pipeline of biocontrol tools for European rabbits, exploring both classical viral biocontrol approaches and more recently prospects for genetic biocontrol technology. For more information, please contact Dr. Jason Delborne, Director of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) at jadelbor@ncsu.edu.[Talk Description] Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Edible South -The Cultural Politics of Food and Cuisine AgBioFEWS Cohort 3 Organized Guest Panel with: ›  Marcie Cohen Ferris, PhD, Interim Director, Center for the Study of the American South at UNC-Chapel Hill ›  Michaela DeSoucey, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology at NC State Abstracts Marcie Cohen Ferris' work examines how evolving food cultures in North Carolina and the larger American South speak to the region's complex history, culture(s), and struggle for racial justice, food equity, food sovereignty embodied in the powerful voices of a contemporary generation of farmers, food makers and creators, activists, scholars, policy makers, consumers, and more. Michaela DeSoucey's exploration of ‘food culture' requires us to acknowledge the complexity and paradoxes of the memories, desires, emotions, and debates that ‘flavor' different ingredients and dishes. She will discuss what a cultural sociological lens brings to the contemporary study of food culture, focusing on boundaries and ethics as markers of social differentiation. Related links: Edible North Carolina Center for the Study of the American South Speaker Bios Marcie Cohen Ferris (@ferrismcf), editor of Edible North Carolina, is a writer and educator whose work explores the American South through its foodways and the southern Jewish experience. She is interim director of UNC's Center for the Study of the American South and an emeritus professor in the Department of American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she serves as an editor for Southern Cultures, a quarterly journal of the history and cultures of the U.S. South. Ferris's books include The Edible South: The Power of Food and the Making of an American Region and Matzoh Ball Gumbo: Culinary Tales of the Jewish South. She is a co-editor of Jewish Roots in Southern Soil: A New History. In 2018, Ferris received the Craig Claiborne Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southern Foodways Alliance. Michaela DeSoucey is Associate Professor of Sociology at North Carolina State University. She is a qualitative, cultural sociologist whose research examines cultural and moral markets, consumer-focused organizations, and the politics of authenticity and risk, specifically around food. She is the award-winning author of Contested Tastes: Foie Gras and the Politics of Food, published by Princeton University Press (2016), as well as numerous articles on food-related topics from bean-to-bar chocolate to craft beer to food halls to peanut allergy. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Out of the lab and onto the screen: how cinematic narratives construct the public image of science & technology AgBioFEWS Cohort 3 Organized Guest Panel with: › Leah Ceccarelli, PhD, Professor at University of Washington › David Kirby, PhD, Professor of Science and Technology Studies at Cal Poly University - San Luis Obispo Drawing on perspectives from rhetorical criticism and media studies, Drs. Leah Ceccarelli and David Kirby discuss the role of popular science-fiction films in shaping public perception of scientists and emerging biotechnologies. Abstract Dystopias, biological warfare, and near human extinction are common tropes in science-fiction film and television. These representations not only provide entertainment, but reflect deep-seated fears and hopes for scientific and technological futures. This is especially true for biotechnology (think Stephen King's The Stand and Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park), where cinematic narratives can shape the public's imagination of scientists and their practices. Because the interplay of science and media is an important force shaping our understanding of innovation, scientists should be interested in what's playing on the big screen. With that in mind, members of GES's AgBioFEWS Cohort 3 have invited Drs. Leah Ceccarelli and David Kirby to lead a discussion on popular science-fiction films and their impact on the public's orientation to science and technology, with a special focus on scientists' credibility and genetic engineering. Related links: Kirby, D.A. (2007) The Devil in Our DNA: A Brief History of Eugenic Themes in Science Fiction Films, Literature and Medicine, 26(1): 83-108 Kirby, D.A. & L.A. Gaither (2005) Genetic Coming of Age: Genomics, Enhancement, and Identity in Film, New Literary History, 36(2): 263-282. Kirby, D.A. (2004) Extrapolating Race in Gattaca: Genetic Passing, Identity, the New Eugenics, and the Science of Race, Literature and Medicine, 23(1): 184-200. Ceccarelli, L. Scientific Ethos and the Cinematic Zombie Outbreak, Mètode: Science Studies Journal 6 (2016): 107-13. Speaker Bios Dr. Leah Ceccarelli (@leahcecc) is a critic and theorist whose research focuses on interdisciplinary and public discourse about science. She directs the University of Washington's Science, Technology, and Society Studies Graduate Certificate program. Selected as a Fellow of the Rhetoric Society of America, and as a recipient of the National Communication Association's Douglas W. Ehninger Distinguished Rhetorical Scholar award for her career of research, she has also received national awards for her two books on the rhetoric of science, and for a couple of her articles. She serves on several editorial boards and is co-editor of a book series on Transdisciplinary Rhetoric sponsored by the Rhetoric Society of America and Penn State University Press. Dr. David A. Kirby (@king_gwangi and @CalPolyCLA) is Professor and Chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies in the Liberal Arts and Director of the Science Technology & Society Program at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. His research examines how movies, television, and computer games act as vehicles of scientific communication. Several of his publications address the relationship between cinema, genetics and biotechnology. He has also explored the collaboration between scientists and the entertainment industry in his book "Lab Coats in Hollywood: Science, Scientists and Cinema." He is currently writing a book titled "Indecent Science: Religion, Science, and Movie Censorship." GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

What is “Denialism”? Jean Goodwin, JD, PhD, SAS Institute Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric & Technical Communication, NC State Website | Twitter: @jeangoodwin and @PublicSci_NCSU What drives polarization on contested issues like GMOs? We'll discuss one potentially surprising factor. Abstract Public debates have been trending increasingly bitter and polarized since the 1990s, increasingly so over the last decade. Science-heavy debates on issues like climate change, pandemic policies and of course agricultural biotechnology are no exception. In this “work in progress” presentation I review recent scholarship on the extent, drivers and implications of polarization in the two most studied situations: US politics (liberal v. conservative, Democrat v. Republican) and climate change. I close by inviting participants to reflect on the significance of this lit review for “denialism,” “anti-science,” “war on science” et sim. in the GMO debates. Speaker Bio A twisty path through law and classical rhetoric has led Dr. Jean Goodwin to an interest in scientists' participation in civic controversies. As a member of the Leadership in Public Science cluster, “I not only ‘think' but also ‘do' that,” helping with programming intended to foster commitment to, and capacity for, public-facing science at NC State University. Goodwin received her bachelor's degree in mathematics and her J.D. from the University of Chicago, and her Ph.D. in communication arts from the rhetoric program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to more than 25 years in the classroom introducing undergraduates to the rhetorical tradition, she has mentored graduate students across a variety communication subfields and academic departments. Her essays have been published in international journals in communication, philosophy and the sciences. She has served as a consultant on initiatives by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Union of Concerned Scientists to define the appropriate roles of scientists as advocates. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Discussion Session: The Biotechnology Executive Order Discussion facilitated by AgBioFEWS Fellows Jabeen Ahmad and Nick Loschin This Colloquium is dedicated to reviewing the recent Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation released on September 12, 2022. Abstract This Colloquium begins with a brief overview of the Executive Order by Nick Loschin and then a discussion facilitated by AgBioFEWS cohort members Nick Loschin and Jabeen Ahmad with GES-Affiliated faculty Dr. Zack Brown. GES Executive Committee members and all three cohorts were invited to attend to discuss the current order and its political implications for the GES Center, each cohort group project, and their respective disciplines. Recommeded Readings: 2022 Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy Biden issues executive order promoting agriculture and food biotechnology, Greg Jaffe, September 2022 Executive Order 13874 -June 11, 2019, Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Agricultural Biotechnology Products 2019: Biotechnology Oversight Gets an Early Make-Over by Trump's White House and USDA: Part 1—The Executive Order, Jennifer Kuzma, June 2019 Optional: A Missed Opportunity for US Biotechnology Regulation, Jennifer Kuzma, Science, 2016 (see: related news post) Just added – Optional: CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Fact Sheet, CHIPS and Science Highlights: Bioeconomy) Search for “Engineering Biology” in the CHIPS Bill CRS – White House Initiative to Advance the Bioeconomy, E.O. 14081: In Brief, Marcy E. Gallo and Todd Kuiken, Oct. 2022 Optional: Special Collection: Executive Order on Biotechnology-related publications, GES Center faculty GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Diversification as Landscape Change: Understanding Cropping Trajectories in Eastern North Carolina Andrea Rissing, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University Website | Twitter @FoodSystemsASU Preliminary findings from mixed-methods research that investigated why one county in Eastern North Carolina is trending strongly towards diversified cropping systems while its neighboring county is rapidly simplifying. Abstract Although modern farming tends towards specialization, diversified agriculture can mitigate the drivers and effects of climate change alike. In North Carolina, the agricultural landscapes of two bordering counties starkly diverge. Both display surprisingly high productivity, but one has been trending sharply towards simplified crop landscapes, and its neighbor, towards diversified. As part of a mixed-methods project, this talk presents a comparative, historically informed analysis of these two counties through the perspectives of diverse farmers and stakeholders. It analyzes how differential effects of 20th century changes in agricultural policy, agronomic characteristics, and historical path dependencies together embedded neighboring farmers' decision-making within distinct contexts leading to distinct crop geographies. Drawing on land-use theory, we suggest that approaching crop diversification as a form of landscape change helps to explain these dynamics and identifies the multi-scalar drivers of crop diversification. The presentation also discusses the methodological process of merging “big” data from national-level datasets with “deep” data from farm visits and oral history interviews, and points towards future research opportunities created by such mixed-methods approaches. Related links: Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems Speaker Bio Dr. Andrea Rissing is an Assistant Professor of sustainable food systems in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University. Her research themes include U.S. farmers' diverse livelihood strategies, processes of agrarian change, and local food system governance. She received her PhD in cultural anthropology in 2019 from Emory University, and completed postdoctoral research fellowships at The Ohio State University and Emory University before starting at ASU in Fall 2022. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Gene Editing for Agriculture in Latin America & the Caribbean Katie Barnhill-Dilling, PhD, Senior Research Scholar at the Genetic Engineering and Society Center, NC State Profile | Twitter @barnhilldilling A broad overview of the GES Center project (funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank) that has explored the relevant policy and capacity for developing gene edited crops in Latin America and the Caribbean. Abstract Gene editing tools for agriculture have certainly been the subject of great promise, hope, and hype the world over. However, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the ways in which regulatory systems and other institutions will manage and govern products made with gene editing. In a project funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank, we have explored the regulatory policy context and institutional capacity for developing and bringing to market gene edited products for agriculture throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. This talk will provide an overview of the project itself and share high level results of our analysis, including the results of policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, and case study development. Related links: CRISPR in Latin America and the Caribbean project page with publications and resource files Presentation Slides Speaker Bio Dr. Katie Barnhill-Dilling is a social scientist with the Genetic Engineering and Society Center at NC State University, where her research explores engagement as a tool for just and inclusive governance of emerging environmental biotechnologies. With training at the intersection of Science, Technology, and Society studies (STS) and environmental science, policy, and governance, Dr. Barnhill-Dilling works on projects that include a range genetic interventions for environmental issues such as species protection and ecosystem restoration, as well as governance of gene drive systems and other genetic tools for both agricultural and public health applications. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Dancing Cockatoos, Silent Sparks and the Future: Writing About Science for the Public Marlene Zuk, PhD, Regents Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota Website Writing about science for the public is fun, and hard, and requires some skills you may not regularly use as a scientist. Abstract What's good, bad and sometimes weird about writing for the general public? And how can people get started doing it? I will discuss some of the ideas—and misconceptions—about popular science writing. Related links: Dancing Cockatoos and the Dead Man Test: How Behavior Evolves and Why It Matters, Marlene Zuk (2022) Why we do what we do: From regenerating sea slugs to self-medicating sheep, biologist Marlene Zuk probes the origins and evolution of behavior in a new book, Review by Rob Dunn, Science, 4 Aug 2022 (*NC State access link) THE UP-GOER FIVE TEXT EDITOR and De-Jargonizer Speaker Bio Dr. Marlene Zuk is a behavioral ecologist interested in the evolution of sexual signals, mate choice, and the role of parasites in host ecology, evolution and behavior. Most of her research is on insects, especially crickets. She is also interested in how people think about animal and human behavior, and has written several books for general audiences about animals and evolution. Dr. Zuk is a professor at the University of Minnesota, and before that was on the faculty at the University of California, Riverside. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Lessons from Engineering Ethics for Genetic Engineering and Society Joe Herkert, D.Sc., Associate Professor Emeritus of Science, Technology and Society, NC State Abstract There is a long tradition of ethics in engineering practice with the first engineering codes of ethics appearing early in the 20th century, but as an academic sub-field engineering ethics only began to emerge in the 1970s. In most treatments, engineering ethics is grounded in the concept of engineering as a profession. Following a brief introduction of engineering ethics and professionalism, this presentation will focus on some key concepts of engineering ethics scholarship and teaching that might be useful in thinking about ethics in the context of genetic engineering and society. Among these are codes of professional ethics; the use of case studies; microethics and macroethics; engineering as social experimentation; and ethics as design. LINK TO POWERPOINT SLIDES Speaker Bio Joseph “Joe” Herkert, D.Sc., is Associate Professor Emeritus of Science, Technology and Society, North Carolina State University. He has also been a Visiting Scholar at NC State's Genetic Engineering and Society Center and was a Co-PI on the NSF Grant “Comparing Cultures of Responsible Innovation across Bioengineering Communities.” Herkert has been teaching engineering ethics and science, technology & society courses for more than thirty-five years. He is editor of Social, Ethical and Policy Implications of Engineering: Selected Readings (Wiley/IEEE Press, 2000) and co-editor of The Growing Gap Between Emerging Technologies and Legal-Ethical Oversight: The Pacing Problem (Springer, 2011), and has published numerous articles on engineering ethics and societal implications of technology in engineering, law, social science, and applied ethics journals and books. [Read more] GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Searching for Ancient DNA: The Use and Abuse of Celebrity Elizabeth Jones, PhD, Project Coordinator at NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and Postdoctoral Researcher in Biological Sciences at NC State Website | Twitter @DrDinoDNA Ancient DNA research has a short but sensational history, especially as the birth of the field coincided with the Jurassic Park craze. Find out how celebrity helped shape the science for better or for worse. Abstract Ancient DNA research—the recovery of genetic material from long-dead organisms—is a discipline that developed from science fiction into a reality between the 1980s and today. Drawing on scientific, historical, and archival material, as well as original interviews with more than fifty researchers worldwide, Elizabeth Jones explores the field's formation and explains its relationship with the media by examining its close connection to de-extinction, the science and technology of resurrecting extinct species. In this talk, Jones reveals how the search for DNA from fossils flourished under the influence of intense press and public interest, particularly as this new line of research coincided with the book and movie Jurassic Park. She then takes on this reality, diving deeper into the nuance of celebrity to show how media interest simultaneously empowered and undermined the field, and how scientists responded to it both positively and negatively. By investigating the use and (perceived) abuse of celebrity, we arrive at an appreciation for the intricate interplay between science and media, and how the two influence one another. Related links: Ancient DNA: The Making of a Celebrity Science, by Elizabeth D Jones (2022) Speaker Bio Dr. Elizabeth Jones is the Project Coordinator in the Zanno Lab for the Cretaceous Creatures public science project at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and a Postdoctoral Research Scholar at NCSU. She is a Historian of Science and author of the book “Ancient DNA: The Making of a Celebrity Science” (Yale University Press). Jones received her BA in History and Philosophy from NCSU, MA in History and Philosophy of Science from Florida State University, and PhD in Science and Technology Studies from University College London. Her research is interdisciplinary, focusing on the historical, philosophical, and sociological aspects of the scientific process to better understand how science happens and how it impacts society. Throughout her career, she has had first-hand experience working with paleontologists and geneticists in both the field and the lab across the US, UK, and Europe. Prior to her most recent job, Jones was a Project Coordinator and Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Cooper Lab at NCSU for a NSF grant to create a Toolkit for Data Ethics in the Participatory Sciences in partnership with the Citizen Science Association. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Innovation for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation Steven D. Prager, PhD., Senior Program Officer for Agricultural Transformation Strategy at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Website Understanding inclusive agricultural transformation through the lenses of climate adaptation and labor productivity. Abstract In many lower- and middle-income countries agriculture is not only the basis for food security but also the main path toward economic prosperity for countless small-scale producers. Agriculture systems are highly heterogeneous, however, and this heterogeneity is compounded by the nearly infinite variation in the individual circumstances of those that participate in the production process. At the same time, small-scale producers face several challenges and, in many instances, compound challenges ranging from Covid and climate change to conflict and crop disease. Given these complexities, how can we focus on intentional, inclusive approaches to help transform agriculture systems such that their stewards become more resilient and more predictably on a path to prosperity? To better understand both the opportunities for agricultural transformation and the challenges associated therewith, this presentation will examine “agricultural research for development” (AR4D) through the lenses of both climate adaptation and labor productivity. Here we consider the role of innovation in these areas as a core consideration in thinking about inclusive agricultural transformation (IAT). Innovation in areas from policy to farmer services to the crops themselves must be layered together in context appropriate ways in order to realize the changes needed to improve agricultural development outcomes. From the identification of specific outcomes to the corresponding theories of change, strategies, policy and investment, inclusive agricultural transformation must be both priority-based and right-sized. While there are numerous entry points for fostering climate-sensitive and inclusive agricultural development, through this dialog we will explore the idea that simultaneous consideration of labor productivity and climate adaptation increasingly has the potential to become a cornerstone of new thinking in IAT. Related links: Labour productivity: The forgotten yield gap Cock J, Prager S, Meinke H, and Echeverria R. (2022) _Agricultural Systems. _doi: 10.1016/j.agsy.2022.103452. PDF Speaker Bio A geographer by training, Dr. Steven Prager has recently joined the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation after ten years as a professor of geography at the University of Wyoming and, more recently, eight years as a research scientist with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) based in Cali, Colombia. At the University of Wyoming, Steven taught and led research in a range of themes mostly centered around spatial modeling and sustainable development. Steven later brought this experience to CIAT and the world of agricultural research for development. At CIAT, he developed and co-led several different research programs, including the “Global Futures and Strategic Foresight” activity with the Policies, Institutions, and Markets research program of the CGIAR. He also played a critical role in building out a LAC-wide and then global scale program in climate services, several efforts related to Sustainable Food Systems, and the SERVIR Amazonia program designed to bring best in class remote sensing and geospatial analysis to local communities throughout the Amazon Basin. In his new role with BMGF, Steve is working with the Foundation's Adaptation Systems and Integration team to bring innovations in climate adaptation to serve small-scale producers throughout Africa and South Asia. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Loss and Resiliency: Exploring Agricultural Complexity in Eastern North Carolina AgBioFEWS Cohort 3 Website | Twitter #AgBioFEWS Focusing on environmental pressures and changing social dynamics within agriculture, the 2022 AgBioFEWS Fellows reflect on their immersive summer field experience with farming communities in eastern North Carolina. Abstract North Carolina's geographical and biological diversity present crop-growers with both exciting opportunities and immense challenges. Following an immersive field experience in NC's Central and Northern Coastal Plains, AgBioFEWS Cohort 3 will provide a first-hand account of these complexities, giving close attention to recurring themes of loss and resilience. The discussion begins with farmers' perspectives on environmental pressures, including climate change, salt intrusion, insect resistance, and the adoption of emerging biotechnologies. Secondly, it will consider the changing social dynamics within farming communities, including issues surrounding land acquisition, market constraints, trusted expertise, farmer-to-farmer relationships, and labor concerns. Taken together, these reflections demonstrate how, in the face of constant change to both the environment and their communities, NC farmers demonstrate resilience and adaptability worthy of deeper consideration. Speakers AgBioFEWS Fellows are Ph.D. candidates across multidisciplinary fields of study collaboratively examining the science, policy, and public engagement aspects and impacts of Agricultural Biotechnology on Food, Energy, and Water. In addition to their primary graduate program, Fellows complete coursework toward a graduate minor in Genetic Engineering and Society and collaborate on an interdisciplinary cohort project. Cohort 3 includes: Modesta Abugu, Rebekah Brown, Asa Budnick, Eric Butoto, Greg Ferraro, Adelyn Flowers, Jill Furgurson, Katrina Geist, Chris Gillespie, Nick Loschin, Amanda Mainello, Nolan Speicher, and Ruthie Stokes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Final colloquium of the semester! Developing a Research Agenda for BE CCS Crops AgBioFEWS Cohort 2 An interdisciplinary agenda to studying the impacts of bioengineered crops for climate change mitigation. Abstract Agriculture is one of three sectors that produces the largest amount of carbon emissions. Multiple steps are being taken to reduce carbon emissions, but one new area being studied is carbon capturing and sequestering (CCS) crops. Research groups like the Salk Institute are currently bioengineering (BE) crops to improve crops' CCS capabilities. Understanding the potential impacts of this technology requires multiple perspectives. Using a socio-technical lens, we identify gaps in current research on BE CCS crops. From these gaps, we are developing various recommendations for funding agencies to support this technology's interdisciplinary study and assessment. AgBioFEWS Fellows are Ph.D. candidates across multidisciplinary fields of study working together to examine Agricultural Biotechnology in Our Evolving Food, Energy, and Water Systems. In addition to their primary graduate program, Fellows also earn a graduate minor in Genetic Engineering and Society. Cohort 2 includes Jabeen Ahmad, Jaimie Choi, Joseph Gakpo, Andrew Hardwick, Salvador Cruz Matus, Dana Mugisa, Sandy Ramsey, Delecia Utley, and Sebastian Zarate. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Sumit Dhole, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Pioneering Work in Genetic Engineering of Crops and It's Adoption in Africa Florence M. Wambugu, PhD, DSc., Founding Director and CEO, Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International Website | Twitter @AfricaHarvestKe & @DrFWambugu Factors influencing the adoption of GE crops in Africa, and Dr. Wambugu's pioneering work on GE sweetpotato and with the Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) project. Abstract Despite huge adoption of Genetically Engineered (GE) Crops globally in the last two decades, the debate continues especially among interest groups in the public, policy makers, regulators & researchers. During the early days of GE Crops debate, anti-GE Lobby groups argued that Africa lacked capacity to regulate the GE technology and Africa policy makers feared they would lose trade with EU. These positions have changed and according to the latest report of the ISAAA Brief 55, on the Global Status of Commercialized GE Crops in 2019, Africa leads the progress among the regions of the world in adopting GE crops by doubling the number of adopting countries in 2019. Africa has been regarded as the region with the biggest potential to benefit from GE crop adoption because of the immense challenges relating to poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. However, from an initial list of limited GE crops adopters in 2018, Africa have significantly increased adopters from 2019 to harness the benefits of GE technology. Globally, different continents and regions have taken different positions, with the USA, Canada, Australia, China, and Latin America leading in adoption of GE crops, while the EU remains generally cautious on case-by-case basis by different states. However, Africa is rising from the negative influence of EU anti-GE lobby groups, based on fear of losing trade opportunities, telling by the increased GE confined field trails (CFTs) targeting food security crops. In this colloquium, Dr. Florence Wambugu will discuss the factors that earlier contributed, and continue to influence adoption of GE crops in Africa, highlighting GE Crops Research & Development by Africa Scientists using existing Biosafety laws. She will also discuss her pioneering work of GE Sweet-potato and promising GE work with Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) Project in Africa. Related links: Dr. Wambugu profile on SourceWatch Speaker Bio Dr. Florence M. Wambugu is the Founding Director and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International (AHBFI) — also known as Africa Harvest — in Kenya since 2002. She is a plant pathologist with specialization in virology holding a Ph.D. from the University of Bath, England (1991), Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Biotechnology with a life science company in USA, and holds an Honorary Doctor of Science from University of Bath, England (2008). For over 30 years she has dedicated her life to agricultural research where she's made significant contributions to the improvement of sorghum, maize, pyrethrum, banana and sweet potato with significant impact on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Dr. Wambugu has authored/co-authored over 300 papers, publications, and books in local and international journals, written two books including “Modifying Africa”- How Biotechnology Can Benefit the Poor and Hungry (2001, 2004), and Biotechnology for Africa; Emergence, Initiatives and Future (2014) by Springer. Dr. Wambugu holds several awards and honors from local and international institutions in recognition of her work in Africa including first place medal winner in Global Development Network Awards under science and technology category in Year 2000 for the TC banana project impact. Named as one of the world top 100 most influential people in biotech today by the Scientific American Worldview special report 2015, Awarded Yara Prize 2008, from the Norway-based Yara Foundation for her significant contribution to fight hunger and poverty in Africa. Dr. Wambugu was awarded the Eve Woman of the year Award by the EVE Magazine, in February 2004 in East Africa in recognition of her contribution to science and its application to combat hunger and poverty in Africa. Another award was given to Dr. Wambugu by the South African government during the commemoration of 10 years of democratic rule for her consistent support to agricultural development. In 2002 she was awarded “Woman of the Year” recognition by the American Biographical Institute for empowering the power through increased food production. She is also a recipient of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture's (IITA) award in 1981 for successful establishment of a tissue culture laboratory in support of root and tuber crops germplasm improvement; KARI's 1989 Crop Science award for excellent performance in scientific conferences; International Potato Centre's (CIP) 1989 Regional Research award, for outstanding advancements in sweet potato research; Pyrethrum Marketing Board of Kenya 1990 farmers support award for successful establishment of a rapid micro-propagation laboratory for pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum) in 1986/7. Recognized by Virology Division of Horticultural Research International in England and KARI in 1991, as exemplary Ph.D. candidate for outstanding dissertation contributions on sweet potato virus disease research work done in Kenya, Monsanto Company Outstanding Performance Award for 1992 and 1993. Participated in key boards including Member of DuPont Biotech Advisory Panel-USA, International Plant Genetic Research Institute, UN Millennium Development goals Hunger Task Force, The Science Board of Bill and Melinda Gates Global Health Challenge and as a Council Member of the Science Technology and Society of Japan. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Sumit Dhole, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Getting to the Heart of Science Communication Faith Kearns, PhD, Science Communication Practitioner, California Institute for Water Resources Website | @frkearns A 21st century guide to communicating science on emotional and contentious topics Abstract From droughts to fires to climate change, many issues that scientists and science communicators work on are highly emotional, often contentious, and sometimes traumatizing, with high stakes for practitioners — who are often in precarious positions — and communities alike. Relating, listening, working with conflict, and understanding trauma, all with an eye toward justice, are key tools in the 21st century science communication toolkit. Using examples from her own and other's work, Dr. Kearns will also share tips on navigating sometimes difficult discussions. Related links: Getting to the Heart of Science Communication, Faith Kearns, 2021 (20% off with code HEART) Speaker Bio Dr. Faith Kearns is a scientist and science communication practitioner who focuses primarily on water, wildfire, and climate change in the western United States. Her work has been published in New Republic, On Being, Bay Nature, and more. Her recent book “Getting to the Heart of Science Communication” (Island Press) walks readers through the evolution of science communication and how emotional and high-stakes issues have shaped the field, as well as offers a new toolkit for practitioners: listening, working with conflict, and understanding trauma, loss, and healing, all with an eye toward justice and community care. Kearns holds an undergraduate environmental science degree from Northern Arizona University, and a doctorate in environmental science, policy, and management from the University of California, Berkeley. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Biotechnologies for Conservation and Their Intended Consequences Ben Novak, Lead Scientist & Biotechnology for Bird Conservation Program Manager, Revive and Restore Website | @BenJNovak1 Abstract Revive & Restore is a nonprofit conservation organization leading the effort to responsibly integrate biotechnologies into conservation practice. Over the past decade the Revive & Restore has been driving the development of a suite of biotechnologies termed "the 21st Century Genetic Rescue Toolkit," spanning the use of genomics information and established technologies to enhance conservation strategies, to driving cutting edge gene-editing research to create new opportunities for recovery of species including facilitated adaptation to disease and climate change, and even recreating ecologically functional equivalents to extinct species for habitat and biodiversity restoration. Many of the technologies and methods emerging for conservation spur controversy in both scientific and non-scientific publics. Most concerningly, there is a large degree of uncertainty among regulators and decision makers that will likely impede effective deployment of biotechnology solutions which many species urgently need. Ultimately, the future of conservation biotechnologies rests upon a diversity of stakeholders that will dictate when and which technologies are used. Revive & Restore is spearheading "The Intended Consequences" initiative to promote a new paradigm that rebalances the risk-benefit equation when it comes to interventions to overcome the paralysis of the precautionary principle. The recent successful cloning of the first U.S. endangered species, the black-footed ferret, and its reception by conservationists, wildlife agency executive leadership, and the broader public signals a possible turning point for society's readiness to embrace biotechnologies. In this talk I'll share some of the technologies underlying the Genetic Rescue Toolkit, the early projects pioneering their applications, and the meaning of Intended Consequences for conservation and society. Related links: Special Issue: Intended Consequences. Conservation Science and Practice. April 2021. https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/25784854/2021/3/4 (11 papers, letters, and reviews, with authors including Ben Novak, as well as GES faculty and previous colloquium speakers) Genetic Rescue Toolkit, https://reviverestore.org/what-we-do/genetic-rescue-toolkit The Great Passenger Pigeon Comeback, https://reviverestore.org/about-the-passenger-pigeon/ Speaker Bio Ben Novak's primary passion is the restoration of the extinct passenger pigeon, the goal of Revive & Restore's flagship project, The Great Passenger Pigeon Comeback. Ben's mission in leading the Great Passenger Pigeon Comeback is to set the standard for de-extinction protocols and considerations in the lab, field, as well as sociopolitical and cultural spheres. While passenger pigeons are Ben's passion and specialty, the conceptualization and advocation of biotech-based genetic rescue solutions for all organisms have been a lifelong pursuit. He earned a bachelor's degree in Ecology and Evolution from Montana State University and a Masters of Arts in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of California Santa Cruz. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Sumit Dhole, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Supporting Actionable Research That Informs Conservation Becky Goldburg, PhD, Director of Environmental Research and Science, The Pew Charitable Trusts Website | @bjgoldburg How Pew's approaches increase the likelihood that research is applied in real world conservation decisions. Abstract I will discuss how the Pew Charitable Trusts' works to supporting research that is both useful and used to inform conservation policy and practices. One key approach is collaborating with decision-makers to identify their information needs, rather than looking for research questions that are the most scientifically interesting or cutting edge. Through the Lenfest Ocean Program, we support co-designed research projects intended to provide information that decision-makers both want and can act upon. Another approach is enabling conservation researchers to reflect on questions such as, “What types of impacts do you hope your research project will have?,” and “How will you achieve your desired impacts and project goals?”. Through the Pew Marine Fellows program we work with scientists to apply strategic tools, such as project pathways or theories of change, to systematically chart the steps and interim impacts to achieve project goals. In our experience, these approaches increase the likelihood that conservation research will result not only in contributions to the scientific literature, but also be applied to real-world conservation decisions. Related links: Grant-Making Criteria for Developing Useful and Usable Marine Science: A Philanthropic Perspective Landrum Jason P., et al. Front. Mar. Sci., 18 January 2022. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.809953 Speaker Bio Dr. Rebecca Goldburg directs Pew's environmental science work, which largely focuses on research related to conservation and includes the Lenfest Ocean Program and the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Before joining Pew, Goldburg was a senior scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a national nonprofit research and advocacy organization, where her work included the scientific and public policy issues of fish farming, antibiotic resistance, and agricultural biotechnology. At EDF, Goldburg also worked to increase market demand for more sustainably produced seafood and poultry through partnerships with several major corporate purchasers of these items. She served on the Marine Aquaculture Task Force established by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Pew. Goldburg also co-wrote the Pew Oceans Commission's report on marine aquaculture. She holds a bachelor's degree in statistics from Princeton University, and a master's in statistics and a doctorate in ecology from the University of Minnesota. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Jen Baltzegar and Sumit Dhole, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. As conditions allow, colloquium will be held in-person in Poe 202, as well as live-streamed via Zoom (at least January will be 100% virtual). Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and Twitter for updates . GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Gene editing for agricultural diversification: Insights from a cooperative governance project Nicholas R. Jordan, PhD, Professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota Website | @UMN_AgroPlant Abstract Agricultural diversification is widely seen as a critical element of future agricultural development development. One important concept of diversification is continuous-living-cover (CLC) agriculture, which integrates multiple crops to create diversified agroecosystems in which soils are covered by living plants across time and space continuously. Compared to agroecosystems that provide more limited cover of soil, CLC agriculture can greatly improve production of many ecosystem services from agroecosystems. To go to scale, CLC agriculture requires crops that not only provide continuous living cover but are viable in economic and social terms. At present, lack of such crops is strongly limiting the scaling of CLC agriculture. Gene editing (GE) might provide a powerful tool for developing the crops needed to expand CLC agriculture to scale. To assess this possibility, a multi-sector deliberative group deliberated the merits of GE—relative to alternative plant-breeding methods—as means for improving crops for CLC agriculture. The group included many of the sectors whose support is necessary to scaling agricultural innovations, including actors involved in markets, finance, policy, and R&D. Views of participants were expressed in interviews and deliberative workshops. Many in the group were enthusiastic about prospects for applications of GE to develop crops for CLC agriculture, relative to alternative plant-breeding options. However, the group noted many issues, risks, and contingencies, all of which are likely to require responsive and adaptive management. Conversely, if these issues, risks, and contingencies cannot be managed, it appears unlikely that a strong multi-sector base of support can be sustained for such applications, limiting their scaling. Emerging methods for responsible innovation and scaling have potential to manage these issues, risks, and contingencies; we propose that outcomes from GE crops for CLC agriculture are likely to be much improved if these emerging methods are used to govern such projects. Related Publication: Should Gene Editing Be Used to Develop Crops for Continuous-Living-Cover Agriculture? A Multi-Sector Stakeholder Assessment Using a Cooperative Governance Approach (PDF) Jordan, N.R., Kuzma, J., Ray, D.K., Foot, K., Snider, M., Miller, K., et al. (2022) Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 10. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.843093 Speaker Bio Dr. Nick Jordan is a Professor of Agronomy & Plant Genetics, at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul. His research, teaching, and engagement work seeks pathways to diversification in the agriculture of the US Midwest. He co-directs the Forever Green Partnership, which is developing and commercializing a portfolio of new and repurposed crops for diversification of Midwest agriculture. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Understanding Microbial Life on Leaves Steven Lindow, PhD, Distinguished Professor in the Graduate School, Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley Website | ResearchGate Dr. Steve Lindow - of "ice minus" fame - joins us to discuss the bacteria that live on leaf surfaces, and the important roles they play ranging from global precipitation to plant health. Dr. Lindow will also be participating in our AGES Oral History Project (Archive of Genetic Engineering and Society). While his interview will not be available right away, you can check out the rest of the archive at https://go.ncsu.edu/aages. Abstract Arial plant surfaces often harbor large epiphytic bacterial populations. The size and composition of these communities however are determined by both small-scale interactions of bacteria with each other and with their plant host that determine growth and survival, as well as large-scale features such as the proximity and abundance of other plant species that contribute immigrant inoculum. The maximum population size of epiphytic bacteria is limited by Carbon availability on the plant surface and differs among plant species due to the differing amounts of exudates. These Carbon sources and therefore sites of bacterial colonization on plants are spatially heterogeneous, with the majority of bacteria residing in localized sites harboring relatively large, mixed species cellular aggregates. Cell density-dependent behaviors, often modulated by so-called quorum sensing signal molecules facilitate preferential survival of bacteria at such sites during stressful desiccation conditions. [cont.] Full details and speaker bio at https://research.ncsu.edu/ges/event/ges-colloquium-2022-02-22/ See upcoming colloquia at https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology.

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Technology, Ag. Intensification, and the Future of Agriculture George Kennedy, Wm. Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Agriculture, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, NC State University Website This presentation will explore the challenges to agricultural sustainability associated with technology driven agricultural intensification. Abstract Technological advances have driven agricultural productivity and defined agricultural production systems. Addressing the challenges to global agricultural in the coming decades relating to population growth and climate change, while minimizing negative environmental and health impacts and social disruption will necessitate major changes in agricultural production systems and agroecosystem structure. Sustainable production systems must rest on deep knowledge of crops and pest/disease biology and ecology. And they must be compatible with farmers' objectives and those of the institutions that influence what farmers do. This presentation will explore these concepts and their implications relating to the intensification of agricultural production and the future of agriculture. Speaker Bio Dr. George G. Kennedy, a William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Agriculture at North Carolina State University, is known for his work on the ecology and management of insect pests of agricultural crops, insect-plant interactions, and the epidemiology and management of insect-vectored plant viruses. He holds B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Entomology from Oregon State and Cornell Universities, respectively. He served as Department Head of Entomology at NCSU from 2009-2014 and has authored or co-authored over 240 research publications and has co-edited 5 books. His research focuses on fundamental processes acting on pest populations at multiple levels of biological organization, ranging from sub-organismal to landscape scale, and on improving the efficiency and sustainability of arthropod management in agricultural crops. Currently, he is working in collaboration with faculty in entomology, plant breeding, and plant pathology at NC State and other institutions to explore landscape-level processes that drive thrips population dynamics and pest status, and on the evolution and epidemiology of insect-vectored plant viruses, including research in Kenya and Tanzania on drivers of evolution in cassava mosaic begomoviruses. An important component of his research program involves the application of fundamental research to management of arthropod pests and sharing his findings with the agricultural community to facilitate the realization of new pest management practices. He is a Fellow, Honorary Member, and past Governing Board Member and President of the Entomological Society of America. He has received ESA's Award for Excellence in Research and Founders Memorial Award and the Entomological Foundation Medal of Honor for contributions to entomology. He is also a recipient the North Carolina State University Borlaug Award for his contributions to agriculture. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology.

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Genome Writers Guild: Promoting Responsible Genome Engineering Adam Sychla, President at the Genome Writers Guild Website The Genome Writers Guild asks the question: How do we promote responsible use of genome engineering? Abstract Humans have cultivated the use of genome manipulations since the dawn of our civilization. Our ancestors relied on careful breeding schemes and sometimes several generations worth of record-keeping. Today, we can manipulate the DNA sequence of functionally any organism with single base-pair resolution. This sudden step-change in capabilities brings with it two similar but crucially different questions: How do we ensure that we use this technology responsibly? How do we ensure that this technology is actually used to benefit society? The Genome Writers Guild was founded to help address these questions by bringing together viewpoints from scientists, regulators, companies, stakeholders, patients, and the general public. These dialogues bring the concept of genetic engineering to the public, lead scientists to understand what the public would like to see done, and help clarify regulatory pathways early in development. Related links: http://genomewritersguild.org/ Speaker Bio Adam Sychla is a 4th year PhD student at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics. He is President of the Genome Writers Guild and Chair of the Journal of Young Investigators. His research can be broadly described as applying directed genetic and epigenetic manipulation to answer questions in basic biology and to engineer applied systems. He has work in plant, insect, mammalian, and viral systems. He received his BS at Ohio State University in Physics and Molecular Biology. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology.

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Engineered Biology for Engineered Environments Heike Sederoff, PhD, Professor of Plant and Microbial Biology, NC State Website | @hsederoff Addressing the energy problem of greenhouse agriculture Abstract Greenhouse agriculture is in general more sustainable than any open field production - if it wasn't for the enormous consumption of energy for light and space conditioning. I will present and discuss our development of a new type of self-powering greenhouse that uses semi-transparent organic photovoltaics to control radiation and produce energy. How far can we drive this technology? Which crops can be grown and how can biotechnology further facilitate economic viability of these solar greenhouses? Related links: Next Generation of Greenhouses May Be Fully Solar Powered,  NC State News, 2/7/2020 Study Finds Plants Would Grow Well in Solar Cell Greenhouses, NC State News, 3/17/2021 Achieving Net Zero Energy Greenhouses by Integrating Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells (PDF) Ravishankar, E. Booth, R.E., Saravitz, C., Sederoff, H., Ade, H.W., O'Connor, B.T. Joule, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.joule.2019.12.018 Balancing crop production and energy harvesting in organic solar-powered greenhouses (PDF) Ravishankar, E., Charles, M., Xiong, Y., Henry, R., Swift, J., Sederoff, H. et al. Cell Reports Physical Science, 2021 doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100381 Speaker Bio Born and schooled in Northern Germany, Dr. Heike Sederoff completed an apprenticeship in book production and trade, but then went on to study chemistry at the University of Goettingen where she received a PhD in plant biochemistry. She was awarded a Feodor-Lynen Fellowship from the Humboldt Foundation in Germany to study the interaction of bacteria and plants to form nodules for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation at Flinders University in Adelaide and at the University of Western Australia in Perth. Dr. Sederoff was a faculty member in at the University of Osnabrueck, back in Germany and later here at NC State. Her interests in science are very broad and she especially likes to collaborate across disciplines in natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. This has resulted in a number of licensed patents and experience as expert consultant in patent disputes. The research topics in her team span from questions how plants sense and respond to environmental stress to the use of synthetic biology to improve sustainability of crop production – on Earth and in extraterrestrial settings. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Ethical Dimensions of CRISPR Applications in Agriculture and the Environment Drs. Jennifer Kuzma and Fred Gould, Professors and Co-Directors of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center, NC State Website | Twitter A discussion of the key ethical considerations in the governance of CRISPR technologies for agriculture and the environment, including for gene-edited plants and gene drive organisms. Abstract See PowerPoint slides here Related links: Procedurally Robust Risk Assessment Framework for Novel Genetically Engineered Organisms and Gene Drives (PDF) Jennifer Kuzma (2019). Regulation and Governance doi: 10.1111/rego.12245. Engineering the Wild: Gene Drives and Intergenerational Equity (PDF) Kuzma J. and L. Rawls. (2016). Jurimetrics: The Journal of Law, Science and Technology 56 (3): 279-296. Community-led governance for gene-edited crops (PDF) Kuzma, J. and Grieger, K. 2020. Science, Vol. 370, Issue 6519. doi: 10.1126/science.abd1512. Speaker Bios Dr. Jennifer Kuzma is the Goodnight-NCGSK Foundation Distinguished Professor in the Social Sciences and co-founder and co-director of the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center at NC State University. Kuzma's research interests involve the integration of social, policy, and natural sciences for emerging technologies governance, including biotechnology and nanotechnology. She has published over 150 articles and book chapters, and in 2019 she was elected a lifetime Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for distinguished translational work in advancing anticipatory governance of new technologies and contributions to methods for oversight policy analysis. (See full bio and profile) Dr. Fred Gould is a Distinguished University Professor of Entomology and co-founder and co-director of the GES Center at NC State University. He studies the ecology and genetics of pests to improve food production and human and environmental health. Dr. Gould conducts research on the application of evolutionary biology and population genetics to enable sustainable use of insect resistant crops and genetically engineered agricultural pests. He also does research aimed at development of strategies for using engineered insect vectors of pathogens to decrease human disease. In 2011, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Dr. Gould has served on several NASEM–National Research Council (NRC) committees studying the environmental and health effects of the commercialization of genetically engineered crops. He chaired the NASEM–NRC committee on “Genetically Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects”. He served on the NRC's Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources until 2020. He is a fellow of the Entomological Society of America and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Gould received his BS in biology from Queens College and a PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. (See full bio and profile) GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Recording of a meeting with Dr. Fred Gould, GES Center co-director, and Dr. Dawn Rodriguez-Ward, AgBioFEWS program coordinator, on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 12:00 PM. The Zoom session starts with a brief presentation of the AgBioFEWS program and then moves on to answering questions from interested potential applicants. WATCH VIDEO AgBioFEWS Recruitment The GES Center is now recruiting candidates for the 2022 AgBioFEWS cohort, a National Science Foundation-funded graduate research training program offering Ph.D. candidates across multidisciplinary fields of study the opportunity to examine the science, policy, and public engagement aspects and impacts of Agricultural Biotechnology on Food, Energy, and Water. We are focusing our recruiting efforts on students from historically underrepresented groups and those in the fields of social sciences and the humanities but we welcome applications from all interested parties, including national and international students and those in the natural sciences fields. Program Fellows receive a Ph.D. in a natural/social science, or humanities graduate program, and a graduate minor in Genetic Engineering and Society, and will: Receive two years of $34,000 NSF-funded stipends, with continuing funding provided by their graduate programs Embark on their studies embedded with NC farms, with later opportunities for international internships Collaborate on an interdisciplinary cohort project Take advanced interdisciplinary graduate courses and incorporate AgBioFEWS into thesis Learn more about the program at https://go.ncsu.edu/agbiofews Please submit any questions to Dawn Rodriguez-Ward at dtward2@ncsu.edu. Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Carbon Sequestration & GHG Mitigation in Carinata Cropping Systems Dr. John Field, R&D Staff Member, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Profile article | Twitter Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata) can produce substantial amounts of aviation fuel and soil carbon benefits when grown as a winter crop in the southeastern US. Abstract The oilseed Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata) has been proposed as a supplemental cash crop grown over the winter fallow season in the mild climates of the southeastern US and used as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, with potential co-benefits for soil carbon and other ecosystem services. In this work we used a process-based ecosystem model to establish initial expectations for total regional SAF production potential and associated soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when carianata is integrated into existing annual crop rotations across its frost-tolerant range in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. We calibrated the DayCent ecosystem model based on carinata field trials in the region, and used it to evaluate the yields, soil carbon, and nitrous oxide emissions when carinata is integrated once ever third winter within those existing crop rotations. We estimate this could produce more than one billion liters of SAF annually and would be approximately neutral in terms of cropland soil GHG emissions. However, the adoption of climate-smart management techniques such as no-till establishment or organic amendments would result in a substantial soil carbon sink, significantly improving the overall environmental footprint of the resulting SAF. Related links: Southeast Partnership for Advanced Rewables from Carinata (SPARC) A regional inter-disciplinary partnership focusing on the development of a carinata-centered bioeconomy George, S., Seepaul, R., Geller, D., Dwivedi, P., DiLorenzo, N., Field, J., et al. (2021). GCB Bioenergy. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12828. PDF Speaker Bio Dr. John Field is a R&D Staff Member in the Bioresource Science & Engineering Group within the Environmental Sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He studies the performance of bioenergy systems at the intersection of ecosystem ecology and life cycle assessment, using process-based ecosystem models to evaluate the effect of biomass feedstock production on ecosystem carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions. Feedstocks he has studied include switchgrass, corn stover, winter oilseed crops, and wood from trees killed by mountain pine beetle outbreaks in the Rocky Mountains. Much of his work has focused on bioenergy landscape design, including how feedstock production could be targeted on marginal lands to maximize environmental benefits. He has a particular interest in carbon-negative bioenergy systems, including carbon capture and storage technology, and pyrolysis and gasification systems that co-produce biochar. John received his BSc from Case Western Reserve University and his PhD from Colorado State University. He was previously a research scientist at the Colorado State University Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU The Role of Germplasm Banks in Global Food Security Dr. Denise E. Costich, Retired Senior Scientist and Head of the Maize Germplasm Bank at The International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) Profile article The goal is to have fully secure and accessible Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture where there is the potential for a multi-lateral flow of germplasm and knowledge among the participants, basically, all human beings on Earth. Abstract Crop germplasm banks the world over provide a formal security back up system for the plant genetic resources upon which our future food security relies. At the same time, smallholder, mostly indigenous, farmers, also conserve the seed of their crop plants. For the most part, these communities do not act as partners, even though they are collectively the guardians of the genetic diversity that all humans depend upon to survive. This seminar will focus on the case of maize, a critical component of the diets of millions of people globally. Research projects in maize seed conservation in smallholder farming communities in Mexico and Guatemala illustrate how to create stronger links, via seed and technology transfer. Seed longevity research in the germplasm collection at the headquarters of the International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) in Mexico enables the maintenance of a secure source of high quality seed for the future. Related links: Genetic diversity and selection signatures in maize landraces compared across 50 years of in situ and ex situ conservation McLean-Rodríguez, F.D., Costich, D.E., Camacho-Villa, T.C. et al. Heredity 126, 913–928 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-021-00423-y. PDF Enhancing seed conservation in rural communities of Guatemala by implementing the dry chain concept Guzzon, F., Bello, P., Bradford, K.J., Costich, D.E., et al. Biodivers Conserv 29, 3997–4017 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-020-02059-6. PDF The abandonment of maize landraces over the last 50 years in Morelos, Mexico: a tracing study using a multi-level perspective McLean-Rodríguez, F.D., Camacho-Villa, T.C., Almekinders, C.J.M., Costich, D.E.  et al. Agric Hum Values 36, 651–668 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-019-09932-3. PDF Seed longevity of maize conserved under germplasm bank conditions for up to 60 years Guzzon, F., Gianella, M., Velazquez Juarez, J.A., Sanchez Cano, C., Costich, D.E. Annals of Botany, Volume 127, Issue 6, 7 May 2021, Pages 775–785, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcab009. PDF Crop genetic erosion: understanding and responding to loss of crop diversity Khoury, C.K., Brush, S., Costich, D.E., Curry, H.A., et al. (2021). New Phytol. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.17733. PDF Speaker Bio Dr. Denise E. Costich is a passionate defender of maize genetic resources, devoting the past two decades to research topics related to its taxonomy, evolution and conservation. She received her B.S. in Biology with a Concentration in Ecology and Systematics from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences of Cornell University. In the middle of her undergraduate studies, she went to Kenya with Friends World College and ended up as a field assistant on a baboon research project. She eventually went on to graduate school at the University of Iowa, after another field research assistant gig in another exotic location—the Brazilian Amazon. In pursuit of a better understanding of plant breeding systems, she did her Ph.D. thesis research as a Fulbright Scholar in Spain on the ecology and evolution of dioecy in a wild cucurbit. Through a series of postdoctoral positions, Denise's research interests became more genetically oriented, and she landed in her first maize lab in 2000, at the Boyce Thompson Institute, back on the campus of her alma mater. Interest in crop evolution and plant population biology lead her to join the USDA-ARS lab of Dr. Ed Buckler, where she spent six fascinating and productive years. In 2012, the opportunity to apply her diverse knowledge and skills in an international agricultural research-for-development setting presented itself, and she became the fourth Head of the Maize Collection of the Germplasm Bank at the International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) near Mexico City. In October 2020, she retired from that position, and returned to Ithaca, where she continues to pursue her interests in seed conservation and maize wild relatives. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium | GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite | Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU STS Roles in developing technologies of humility around gene drives Dr. Sam Weiss Evans, Senior Research Fellow at the Program on Science, Technology & Society, Harvard University Website | Twitter As different groups work out whether and how to pursue gene drive organisms, Sam Weiss Evans explores the ways STS researchers can enrich the attention to diverse perspectives, equity, vulnerability, and learning. Abstract In the development of gene drives, claimsr ecosystem-altering capabilities are often coupled with calls for research programs to engage with diverse groups. This talk explores the ways that STS researchers have helped shape the development of gene drives, drawing out the various roles they have had and how those roles have and have not advanced a research and policy agenda that favors attention to technologies of humility: contrasting framings, the distribution of benefits and harms, the capabilities of vulnerable populations to be heard and responded to, and the potential for institutionalized learning over time. Speaker Bio Dr. Sam Weiss Evans is a Lecturer and Research Associate at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a Research Fellow in Harvard's Program on Science, Technology, and Society at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, a Research Affiliate in the Program on Emerging Technology at the Center for International Studies at MIT, and a Research Affiliate at the University of Cambridge's Centre for the Study of Existential Risk. Sam is worried that security is thought about too much by people who just think about security, and not enough by people who don't. How are decisions made about what areas of science and technology become objects of security concerns? How are decisions about whether something is a threat tied to our ways of managing, or ignoring, that [non-]threat? These are some of the questions Sam likes to ask. Other questions focus on the relationship between people like him—Science and Technology Studies researchers—and the people whom he works with and studies. What is the appropriate amount of critical distance to be able to see the context of an environment clearly while still being close enough to the action to have some influence on it? Sam loves trying out different answers to these questions and learning from them. He also loves learning from you. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Considerations for adopting genetically engineered crops around the world AgBioFEWS Cohort 3 Fellows bring together a panel of speakers to discuss how the emerging field of GE might influence international markets and impact society. Abstract Given the tight interconnectedness of global food systems, genetically engineering (GE) staple crops might immediately influence our lives. AgBioFEWS cohort 3 fellows from the Genetic and Engineering Society Center at NC State have brought together a panel of speakers to discuss how the emerging field of GE might influence international markets and impact society. Speakers will discuss incentives and considerations regarding the adoption of GE technology from private, public, and consumer perspectives. Further, the panel hopes to reflect on how potential market arrangements might impact the welfare of different groups across regions and income levels, since many of the GE industry leaders come from a minority of wealthy nations. The three panel members are experts in the philosophy of agriculture and ethics, international relations, and biotechnology. They are well positioned to help us understand the effects of this paradigm changing technology. Guest Panelists Md. Arif Hossain is the CEO and Executive Director of Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB), a comprehensive communication and community engagement organization aimed to improve awareness about modern agricultural innovations including crop biotechnology to ensure sustainable food security in Bangladesh. Twitter: @arifromel Dr. Marc Ghislain is a global leader of the biotechnology research program at the International Potato Center where he is currently leading efforts to release a transgenic potato completely resistant to late blight in sub-Saharan African countries. Twitter: @Cipotato Dr. Paul B.  Thompson is the W.K. Kellogg Chair in Agricultural, Food and Community Ethics at Michigan State University and has spent his career in research and teaching focused on ethical and philosophical topics in food and agriculture. Twitter: @MSUAFRE GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU NGO perspective on governance of gene editing Dr. Doria Gordon, Lead Senior Scientist at Environmental Defense Fund, and Gregory Jaffe, JD, Director of the Project on Biotechnology at Center for Science in the Public Interest www.edf.org/people/doria-gordon | cspinet.org/biography/gregory-jaffe and @JaffeGregory This talk will describe six principles for the proper governance of gene editing, addressing issues such as transparency, stakeholder engagement, government oversight, and voluntary stewardship, that were adopted by six US non-governmental organizations. Abstract Biotechnology, which includes gene editing and other technologies, has the potential to address urgent food security, environmental, and human health dilemmas. However, these technologies also raise potential for societal concerns, environmental and health risks, and conflicts with cultural and spiritual values. Previous experience with the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the food system have in some instances resulted in public mistrust, underscoring the need for more transparency, better governance, and oversight of these technologies when they are deployed. To address these potential concerns, representatives of six conservation and consumer non-governmental organizations developed six principles for responsible governance of gene editing in agriculture and the environment, which were published in an August 2021 article of Nature Biotechnology. This webinar will present the principles and invite questions and discussion on both the principles and possible next steps for implementation. Related links: https://www.keystone.org/our-work/emerging-genetic-technologies/ngoroundtable/ Speaker Bios Dr. Doria Gordon is a Lead Senior Scientist in the Office of the Chief Scientist at Environmental Defense Fund, with a focus on ecosystems. Prior to EDF, she spent 25 years working in science, conservation, and management for The Nature Conservancy in Florida. Dr. Gordon is also a Courtesy Professor of Biology at the University of Florida and a Research Associate at Archbold Biological Station. Her current research focuses on the scale and measurement of net carbon sequestration in natural and agricultural systems. She also works on governance of genetically engineered organisms in agriculture and the environment, and risk assessment for invasiveness in plant species. Dr. Gordon completed a M.S. and Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of California at Davis following an undergraduate degree in Biology and Environmental Studies at Oberlin College. Gregory Jaffe is the Director of the Project on Biotechnology for CSPI. Jaffe came to CSPI after serving as a Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice's Environmental and Natural Resources Division and as Senior Counsel with the U.S. EPA, Air Enforcement Division. He is a recognized international expert on agricultural biotechnology and biosafety and works on biosafety regulatory issues in the U.S. and throughout the world. He was a member of the Secretary of Agriculture's Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture from 2003-2008 and was reappointed to a new term in 2011. He was also a member of FDA's Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee from 2004-2008. In addition, he provides biosafety expertise to the International Food Policy Research Institute and Cornell University's Alliance for Science. Jaffe earned his BA with High Honors from Wesleyan University in Biology and Government and then received a law degree from Harvard Law School. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Precision agriculture to decarbonize our national energy needs Dr. Daniela Jones, Research Assistant Professor in Biological and Agricultural Engineering, NC State Website | Twitter Developing data-intensive algorithms and applying diverse modeling and optimization tools to tackle the national grand challenge to decarbonize our energy needs while securing a sustainable and resilient supply chain infrastructure. Abstract Biomass feedstock utilization has the potential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and improve energy security while decarbonizing our energy needs. Energy crops, short rotation woody crops, municipal solid waste, and agricultural and forest residues are considered promising sources of renewable energy. Computer modeling has proven to be a key tool towards minimizing logistics cost. Designing an efficient and economic biomass supply chain model can be a highly challenging task due to biomass' bulky nature, feedstock quality variability, uncertain supply conditions, and dispersed geographic location. It requires the integration of several operations including harvest, collection, storage, preprocessing, and transportation. Researchers posit that a sustainable biofuel supply chain includes an intermediate storage location to preprocess biomass for longer shelf life and delivery distances. In this presentation I will discuss different precision agricultural approaches for improving resource use efficiency, quality, profitability and sustainable production of fuels, products, and power. Related links: Replacing liquid fossil fuels and hydrocarbon chemical feedstocks with liquid biofuels from large-scale nuclear biorefineries C.W. Forsberg, B.E. Dale, D.S. Jones, T. Hossain, A.R.C. Morais, L.M. Wendt, Applied Energy,  Vol 298, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117225 The nth-plant scenario for blended feedstock conversion and preprocessing nationwide: Biorefineries and depots T. Hossain, D.S. Jones, D. Hartley, L.M. Griffel, Y. Lin, P. Burli, et al., Applied Energy, Vol. 294, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116946 Speaker Bio Dr.  Daniela Jones is a Research Assistant Professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University with a joint-faculty appointment with Idaho National Laboratory. She is also the developer and director of the new Agricultural Data Science Graduate Certificate at NCSU, a graduate faculty in the Operations Research Program, a faculty fellow of the Center of Geospatial Analytics, and a faculty affiliate of the AgBioFEWS Program. She develops a wide range of data-intensive algorithms and applies diverse modeling and optimization tools to solve large-scale problems that arise in the areas of transportation, logistics, and renewable energy systems. These skills are highly instrumental to tackle the national grand challenge to decarbonize our energy needs while securing a sustainable and resilient supply chain infrastructure. She earned her PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from Texas A&M University, where she was an Alfred P. Sloan Scholar and received a certificate in Business Management. She received her Masters and Bachelor of Science degrees in Industrial Engineering with an emphasis in operations research and a Minor in Mathematics from Mississippi State University. Before this role, she was a postdoctoral associate at Duke University, where she performed quantitative and qualitative research on student interventions and supported programming of educational, career development workshops and community development events for underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students in the biosciences. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU The missing ecology in gene drive research Dr. Sumit Dhole, Research Scholar in Mathematical Biology, NC State LinkedIn | Google Scholar A discussion about some of the ecological aspects of population suppression using gene drives, and areas that need more research. Abstract Gene drives are rapidly emerging as a potential tool for controlling populations of disease vectors, invasive species and agricultural pests. The molecular research to create new and improved gene drives based on the CRISPR technology has progressed rapidly. While this research has been encouraging from the perspective of developing these tools, there remain large gaps in our understanding of how natural populations would respond to the release of gene drives. Dr. Dhole will discuss some of the ecological processes that will play an important role and that need more research in natural pest populations. Related links: Rajagopalan PK, Curtis CF, Brooks GD, Menon PK. The density dependence of larval mortality of Culex pipiens fatigans in an urban situation and prediction of its effects on genetic control operations. Indian J Med Res. 1977. North, A., Burt, A. & Godfray, H. Modelling the potential of genetic control of malaria mosquitoes at national scale. BMC Biol 17, 26 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-019-0645-5 James J Bull, Christopher H Remien, Stephen M Krone, Gene-drive-mediated extinction is thwarted by population structure and evolution of sib mating. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, Volume 2019, Issue 1, 2019, Pages 66–81, https://doi.org/10.1093/emph/eoz014 Speaker Bio Dr. Sumit Dhole is an evolutionary ecologist who uses mathematical models to study how genes can spread through natural populations. For the past few years at NC State his focus has been on understanding how synthetic gene drives might behave if introduced into natural populations. While gene drives, which are highly invasive genetic constructs, may provide a solution for rapid and species-specific management of disease vectors and agricultural pests, a major concern is the potential of their unchecked spread to non-target populations. Through his work, Sumit tries to understand what factors and design features may allow synthetic gene drives to spread in safe, contained manners. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Hazard Communication Dr. David M. Berube, Professor of Science & Technology Communication, NC State Website Hazard Communication refers to communication to a limited group of stakeholders and involves three variables: hazard data, dosage data, and exposure data. Abstract This presentation tries to separate data sets associated with Hazard Communication from those associated with Risk Communication. Since Risk Communication is a social construct, it involves public understanding of science while Hazard Communication generally does not. Hazard Communication occurs between field experts while Risk Communication include experts and inexperts. Experts share biases with the public in some cases but not in others. For example, innumeracy and probability neglect tends to be associated with inexpert audiences. This paper will be presented to the National Toxicology Program for which I serve as a member of their Board of Scientific Counselors. Related links: Cognitive and Human Factors in Expert Decision Making: Six Fallacies and the Eight Sources of BiasDror, I. E. (2020). Anal. Chem. 92. 7998-8004 Cognitive Errors and Diagnostic Mistakes: A Case-Based Guide to Critical Thinking in MedicineHoward, J. (2019). Basel, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG. Speaker Bio Dr. David M. Berube (NYU 1990) is a Research Professor and a GES Fellow at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in science/technology communication. He teaches graduate seminars in risk, fear, disaster, and climate change science communication. He received over $20 million in grants over the last two decades studying science communication, especially intuitive toxicology. He wrote Nano-Hype (2006), edited another on Pandemic Communication and Resilience and is writing a book on Lessons We Should Have Learned from Zika. He is the director of the Public Communication of Science & Technology project and social science director of the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network involving NCSU, Duke and UNC. He authored some White Papers on social media and risk. He is a member of the Society of Toxicology and Special Government Employee for the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Toxicology Program. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Stakeholder engagement in gene drive research: A Target Malaria case study Dr. Léa Paré, Stakeholder Engagement Lead at Target Malaria – Burkina Faso Website | Twitter @TargetMalaria Target Malaria's approach to stakeholder engagement is an iterative process, constantly adapting and evolving based on the context and values of our stakeholders, as well as new guidance and recommendations developed in accordance with international best practice. Abstract Stakeholder engagement is one of the three pillars of Target Malaria's approach. Our strategy is to focus on the communities that might benefit from the technology and that are directly affected by the research activities but also to have an ongoing, transparent dialogue with other stakeholders. The project uses ethically designed engagement best practices to empower these communities to make the most informed decisions about the project's work and its activities. Our stakeholder engagement approach is an iterative process, constantly adapting and evolving based on the context and values of our stakeholders, as well as new guidance and recommendations developed in accordance with international best practice. Related links: https://targetmalaria.org/ Speaker Bio Dr. Léa Paré obtained her doctorate in anthropology / sociology at the University of Aix Marseille 2 in France. She is Target Malaria's Stakeholder Engagement Lead in Burkina Faso. Throughout her training and career, Dr. Paré has developed a great interest in the field of research on malaria from an anthropological point of view. Dr. Paré's doctoral research enabled her to specialize in the socio-anthropological analysis of health problems in Africa. Author of several publications since 2000, she is interested in questions of social representations of malaria in connection with the acceptance of the means of control developed by science and technology. Her various works have underlined the need to think ahead for fundamental research in malaria control and to look at the perceptions, expectations and constraints of populations in relation to the use and allocation of research results by the beneficiary populations. Dr. Paré is one of the forerunners of the social sciences who are interested in the problems of genetically modified organisms from the point of view of local communities and stakeholders. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU From basic science to engineering tools to translational research Dr. Ross Sozzani, Associate Professor and Director of NC PSI Plant Improvement, NC State Website | Twitter Dr. Ross Sozzani, Director of Plant Improvement at NC PSI, on the multidisciplinary techniques contributing to knowledge and understanding of engineering agronomically enhanced plants for food production. Abstract Global food production is an enormously complex enterprise crossing every conceivable barrier from geographical borders to scientific disciplines. Challenges to production that threaten our ability to feed the world's growing population are multifactorial and will require the integration of many fields of knowledge and skill sets to discover sustainable solutions. It requires the synthesis of discipline-specific theories, protocols, and tools to create new models and a common language to address complicated research questions. A systems understanding of development and adaptation at the level of cells, tissues, organisms, and ecosystem together with the development of predictive models is needed to achieve translational research. This discussion will be focused on: 1- the use of techniques derived from biological, mathematical, and engineering science to unravel molecular mechanisms that regulate the growth and development of multicellular organisms; and 2- how the fundamental understanding of biological systems and relationships at a multi-scale level is central to translate this knowledge to engineering plants with enhanced agronomic function. Related links: CALS Researcher Awarded NSF Grant to Study Activation Domains, July 2, 2021 Speaker Bio Dr. Ross Sozzani joined NC State in 2013 as a Chancellor's Faculty Excellence Program cluster hire in Synthetic and Systems Biology. An associate professor in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Sozzani researches the molecular mechanisms that regulate stem cell fate specification and maintenance within the Arabidopsis root, and translates this knowledge to engineering plants with enhanced agronomic function using the tools of synthetic biology. Her goal is to gain a coherent qualitative and quantitative understanding of stem cell maintenance at the system level. In addition to revealing the molecular pathways that stem cells employ, this research will help to better understand why stem cells, in both plants and animals, give rise to specialized cells at all. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Cotton is our Culture, Julius Tillery of BlackCotton.Us speaks on why Julius Tillery, Founder of BlackCotton.Us Website | Twitter Julius Tillery, Founder of BlackCotton.Us, will discuss why cotton is our culture. Abstract Julius Tillery is the founder of BlackCotton.Us and he will discuss his journey as a 5th generation African American cotton farmer in Northampton. In his journey, founding BlackCotton.Us company that tagline: Cotton is our Culture. Julius will detail why the culture of cotton production is important to be known for the marketplace. Related links: YouTube – Faces of Change: Julius Tillery and Jamaal Garner Speaker Bio Julius Tillery is a 5th Generation life-long row crop commodities producer (cotton, soybeans, peanuts) from Northeastern, North Carolina. Julius is a rural economic development advocate and is also known for his entrepreneurial business role as Founder of BlackCotton.Us. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Video Archive- See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU The Quest to Reimagine Meat Amy Huang, University Innovation Manager at The Good Food Institute Website | Twitter Explore the state of alternative protein research and learn how universities can accelerate our transition to a better food system. Abstract Growing meat directly from plants, microbes, and animal cells will allow us to build a food system that is better for human, animal, and planetary health. However, catalyzing this paradigm shift is a vast, multidisciplinary effort that requires scientists, engineers, and other innovators from disciplines ranging from tissue engineering and synthetic biology to computational science and chemical engineering. Join The Good Food Institute's Amy Huang to explore the state of plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-derived meat research and learn how universities can accelerate our transition to a better food system. Related links: https://gfi.org/science/the-science-of-plant-based-meat/ https://gfi.org/science/the-science-of-cultivated-meat/ https://gfi.org/science/the-science-of-fermentation/ https://gfi.org/the-alt-protein-project/ https://gfi.org/resource/collaborative-researcher-directory/ Speaker Bio Amy Huang is the University Innovation Manager at The Good Food Institute. As a member of GFI's science and technology team, Amy works with students and faculty around the world to turn universities into hubs for alternative protein research and education. In addition to working with scientists and engineers to address priority white spaces in plant-based and cultivated meat technologies, she focuses on bringing diverse stakeholders together through the formation of student groups, global scientific communities, and interdisciplinary research centers. Amy graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. in Economics and Global Health. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Perspectives of Eastern North Carolina farmers and the impact of biotechnology AgBioFEWS Cohort 2 Website | Twitter The second AgBioFEWS cohort discusses lessons learned from visiting Eastern NC. Abstract The second AgBioFEWS cohort visited Eastern NC this summer talking with farmers, stakeholders, faculty, and extension agents. The goal of the trip was to gain a deeper understanding of agriculture in Eastern NC. The cohort will present on the insights they gained focused on three major themes: land and power, agbiotech, and decision making. These insights will be used to inform the development of the cohort's proposals. About AgBioFEWS Fellows are Ph.D. candidates across multidisciplinary fields of study collaboratively examining the science, policy, and public engagement aspects and impacts of Agricultural Biotechnology on Food, Energy, and Water. In addition to their primary graduate program, Fellows also earn a graduate minor in Genetic Engineering and Society. Cohort 2 includes: Jabeen Ahmad, Jaime Choi, Salvador Cruz Matus, Andrew Hardwick, Dana Mugisa, Sandy Ramsey, Delecia Utley, and Sebastian Zarate. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Final public colloquium of the Spring semester. How do we know our work is carried in the best interest of all involved? Even with our best intentions, both personally and socially, we can cause harm. How can we build a framework for action with an eye toward intention, care, and repair? This presentation brings to the Genetic Engineering and Society Center an ethical framework rooted in the Right Use of Power. Power is the capacity to have an influence, effect a change, or transform situations. Ethical decision-making can come in two forms, ordinary and complex. Both kinds are essential to deepening trust and maintaining relationships. Both involve an integration of personal integrity with professional responsibility. Most ethical decisions, however, are made moment-to-moment, based on our personal integrity, making it difficult to meet professional responsibility standards. This presentation reviews common misunderstandings of power as limited to unwanted oppression, control, and violence. Power can also enable responsibility, guidance, support, empowerment of others, and care. Power can reflect core values of compassion, wisdom, clarity, and connection. Power can be used skillfully, consciously, responsibly, and with care, or carelessly, selfishly, and destructively. The difference lies in using power appropriately, a skill that must be learned. Our clarity around the use of power is often complicated by shame and blame, two characteristics that are often at work in institutional settings. Related links: Beacon Zen channel on YouTube Lion’s Roar – posts by Tenku Ruff Guest Speaker Tenku Ruff is a Soto Zen Buddhist priest and past President of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association who trained for five years in Zen monasteries in Japan, along with additional training in North America. Tenku holds a Master of Divinity degree from Maitripa College, a Tibetan Buddhist graduate school in Portland, Oregon. She is also a board certified chaplain (BCC) with the Association of Professional Chaplains and works as a hospice chaplain and a palliative care chaplain. Tenku brings to discussions of ethics in Genetic Engineering and Society sustained interests in interfaith dialogue and equity and inclusion. These interests that led her to undergo Right Use of Power training with Cedar Barstow. GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Genetic Engineering and Society Center GES Colloquium - Tuesdays 12-1PM (via Zoom) NC State University | http://go.ncsu.edu/ges-colloquium GES Mediasite - See videos, full abstracts, speaker bios, and slides https://go.ncsu.edu/ges-mediasite Twitter - https://twitter.com/GESCenterNCSU Organized by the AgBioFEWS Cohorts For the first time ever, a genetic engineer, Eric Lander, is in a seat on the president’s cabinet—with social scientist Alondra Nelson as his deputy. The “evolutionary ringmaster” and Nobel prizewinner Frances Arnold chairs the council of science advisors—with NASA planetary explorer Maria Zuber as her co-chair. The Biden administration has proposed giving the NSF an additional $50 billion (over an annual budget of $8.5 billion), while it joins a bipartisan group of legislators in pressing scientific agencies for more emphasis on technology and jobs. What does it all mean for the future of research, biotech regulation, and their place in society? How will these people acting as individuals shape science policy? Link Jennifer Kuzma PowerPoint slides on OSPT and biotechnology policy Panelists Robert Cook-Deegan, PhD, Professor School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University Jennifer Kuzma, PhD, Goodnight-NC GSK Foundation Distinguished Professor in the Social Sciences and Co-Director of the Genetic Engineering and Society Center Dave Levitan, MA, Science Journalist and author of Not A Scientist: How politicians mistake, misrepresent, and utterly mangle science GES Center - Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co