Welcome to the joint Canadian Society of Plant Biology and the Canadian Botanical Association western regional meeting! This meeting will be held in Winnipeg Manitoba, where eastern and western Canada meet on Treaty One Territory, December 10-12, 2017 at the ALT Hotel in beautiful downtown Winnipeg.
On behalf of the organizing committee, we would like to invite you to join us for the first joint Western regional meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and the Canadian Botanical Association. This meeting offers the opportunity to connect with students and established researchers studying a broad spectrum of the plant sciences. We hope you will take this opportunity to come and reconnect with old friends, meet new colleagues and potential collaborators, and take some time to enjoy some of the many attractions Winnipeg has to offer.
On behalf of the organizing committee, we would like to invite you to join us for the first joint Western regional meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and the Canadian Botanical Association. This meeting offers the opportunity to connect with students and established researchers studying a broad spectrum of the plant sciences. We hope you will take this opportunity to come and reconnect with old friends, meet new colleagues and potential collaborators, and take some time to enjoy some of the many attractions Winnipeg has to offer.
The Canadian Society of Plant Biologists
La Société Canadienne de Biologie Végétale
On behalf of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists (CSPB), it is my great pleasure to welcome all delegates to the first joint Western Regional Meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and the Canadian Botanical Association (CBA). As President of CSPB and a member of the CBA, I am looking forward to the opportunity for members from both of our societies to come together to showcase the latest discoveries and innovations in plant science.
I am particularly grateful to CSPB’s Western Regional Director Mark Belmonte and CBA’s John Markham, along with committee members Sylvie Renault, Kevin Scott and Jake Stout, for hosting and organizing this meeting. Together, they have put together a stimulating program of invited talks, an RNA-Seq workshop, oral and poster presentations, tours and social events. It is great to know that members from all four western provinces are taking part.
Finally, in addition to all the science and networking, it is exciting for those from out of town to have the opportunity to explore the many unique cultural attractions Winnipeg has to offer.
Best wishes for a vibrant meeting,
Geoffrey Wasteneys
President, CSPB-SCBV
Department of Botany, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4
President, CSPB-SCBV
Department of Botany, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4
Dear Delegates:
On behalf of the Canadian Botanical Association / L’Association Botanique du Canada, it is my pleasure to join Prof. John Markham, current Past President of the CBA-ABC and CBA- ABC’s local chair of this joint conference, by welcoming you to wintry Winnipeg for December 10-12, 2017. To our knowledge, this joint regional conference marks the very first of its kind in western Canada for members of the Canadian Botanical Association to meet formally with members of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists. This initiative therefore brings together scientists and other professionals, postdocs, and students from these two national bodies that might otherwise not convene often, or at all. Accordingly, exciting new bridges of research collaboration and understanding will be built in this environment, which may well lead to similar western regional conferences beyond joint annual meetings, in future. Wishing you all a stimulating conference and safe journey back home, leading to a restful holiday (after final exams!) thereafter.
Sincerely,
Prof. Art Davis, President, CBA-ABC
Department of Biology
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7N 5E2
Department of Biology
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7N 5E2
President's Welcome Letter
Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and Canadian Botanical Association Joint Meeting
I am pleased to welcome you to the first joint western regional meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and Canadian Botanical Association.
The University of Manitoba has a tradition of excellence in research and teaching that spans 140 years, having made advancements in many areas of scientific inquiry, including plant biology research. Discoveries here have led to tangible outcomes in protecting the environment and supporting foundations for the growth of the plant biology sector in Manitoba and beyond.
Indeed, Reginald Buller, our first professor of Botany and Geology, was a leader in fungal biology research, and our renowned graduate Baldur Stefansson developed canola to become the valuable global crop that it is today.
This meeting provides an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise that will support discovery and innovation among researchers and students passionate about plant biology. While you are here, I hope you also will be able to tour our University’s Fort Garry campus to visit the Herbarium and attend the next generation RNA sequencing workshop.
The connections that you make here are sure to lead to future collaboration in plant biology research, helping to position Western Canada as a leader in the plant biology sector. I wish you an enjoyable, productive and informative time together.
Sincerely,
Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and Canadian Botanical Association Joint Meeting
I am pleased to welcome you to the first joint western regional meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and Canadian Botanical Association.
The University of Manitoba has a tradition of excellence in research and teaching that spans 140 years, having made advancements in many areas of scientific inquiry, including plant biology research. Discoveries here have led to tangible outcomes in protecting the environment and supporting foundations for the growth of the plant biology sector in Manitoba and beyond.
Indeed, Reginald Buller, our first professor of Botany and Geology, was a leader in fungal biology research, and our renowned graduate Baldur Stefansson developed canola to become the valuable global crop that it is today.
This meeting provides an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise that will support discovery and innovation among researchers and students passionate about plant biology. While you are here, I hope you also will be able to tour our University’s Fort Garry campus to visit the Herbarium and attend the next generation RNA sequencing workshop.
The connections that you make here are sure to lead to future collaboration in plant biology research, helping to position Western Canada as a leader in the plant biology sector. I wish you an enjoyable, productive and informative time together.
Sincerely,
David T. Barnard, Ph.D.
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Manitoba
President and Vice-Chancellor
University of Manitoba
Mayor's Message
It is my pleasure to extend greetings to everyone attending the first joint Western regional meeting of the Canadian Society of Plant Biologists and the Canadian Botanical Association. For those of you who have travelled from across Canada, let me offer a warm Winnipeg welcome — I hope that you will have a chance to enjoy all that our city has to offer from the stunning Canadian Museum for Human Rights, to the vibrant Exchange District, the Forks National Historic Site and the Journey to Churchill Polar Bear experience!
Conferences like these give your members opportunities for both formal and informal connections and learning. The chance to connect with students and established researchers in addition to colleagues and potential collaborators is an important aspect of today’s scientific world. And I understand that one of the most important of the workshops and tours available to you at this Conference will be the Winnipeg craft and microbrewery tour — enjoy!
On behalf of the City of Winnipeg and my City Council colleagues, I would like to recognize the work of the staff and volunteers who have made this Conference happen. I hope that all participants enjoy their time networking, learning, and learning to love Winnipeg!
Warmly,
Mayor Brian Bowman
City of Winnipeg
City of Winnipeg