{"id":4379,"date":"2022-04-25T14:11:03","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T18:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/?page_id=4379"},"modified":"2026-04-13T14:20:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T18:20:49","slug":"sans-seminar-series","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-seminar-series\/","title":{"rendered":"SANS Seminar Series"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Google Tag Manager -->\n<script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':\nnew Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],\nj=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=\n'https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);\n})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-TPSQ54N');<\/script>\n<!-- End Google Tag Manager -->\n\n\n\n<style>\n.rounded-style img{\n  border-radius: 15%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-parallax\" style=\"min-height:272px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-4381 has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2022\/04\/TGD-UMESSpring-032822-9259-scaled.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-larger-font-size has-header-main-bg-color-color has-text-color\" style=\"font-size:65px\">SANS Seminar Series<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.rounded-style img{\n  border-radius: 15%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"#past-seminars\">PAST SEMINARS<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-seminar-series\/speaker-nomination-form\/\">NOMINATE A SPEAKER<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-seminar-series\/speaker-consent-form\/\">speaker consent form<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Penn State expert to talk about soil ecology and plant health<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Francisco Dini-Andreote\" class=\"wp-image-15948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/Dini-Andreote.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>An expert in microbial ecology of plants from Penn State&nbsp;will wrap up the 2026 School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar Series on April 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Francisco Dini-Andreote is an associate professor of phytobiomes and Huck Early Career chair in Microbial Community Ecology&nbsp;at Penn State. His research integrates microbial ecology, plant physiology, and bioinformatics to address fundamental and applied challenges in the optimal practices of&nbsp;agriculture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He will speak on \u201cThe Ecology of Suppressive Soils: Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seminar will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, in the Carver Hall Auditorium on the campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Dini-Andreote Lab investigates the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms through which soil- and plant-associated microbiomes influence plant performance under multiple biotic and abiotic stressors, including soilborne pathogens, drought and parasitic weeds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A central focus of his work is advancing microbial community theory, particularly concepts of community assembly, functional redundancy, and stability, within the context of agroecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are witnessing a new imperative in life sciences with the realization that microbes are important drivers, rather than passengers, of the well-being of plants, animals and humans. Plant-associated microbiomes \u2014 also referred to as \u201cthe second genome of plants\u201d \u2013 have the potential to expand their hosts&#8217;&nbsp;genomic and metabolic capabilities with direct implications for plant health and performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, beneficial plant-microbe interactions can assist nutrient acquisition, provide enhanced host immunity, improve host architecture, and promote plant tolerance to&nbsp;varied environmental stresses. This paradigm shift in life sciences comes with new scientific challenges to address key societal problems of the 21st century.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of critical importance, there is an increasing global demand for&nbsp;agricultural systems that are more resistant and&nbsp;tolerant&nbsp;to biotic and abiotic perturbations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dini-Andreote will delve into the ecology of the soil and plant rhizosphere microbiota with a focus on exploring advances in our understanding of microbial-mediated mechanisms of soil suppressiveness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He will illustrate a variety of ecological mechanisms and aspects of chemical ecology that can be used to develop soil suppressiveness for the control of multiple soil-borne pathogens and the parasitic weed Striga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands and conducted postdoctoral research at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dini-Andreote has published over 130 peer-reviewed articles and was recently recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate, 2026). He serves on the executive committee of the One Health Microbiome Center and is a member of the editorial boards of several leading journals in microbial ecology and plant-microbe interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 Spring Seminar Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences continues its 2026 Spring Seminar Series through April.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The seminars will be held on the following dates at 11 a.m. in the Carver Hall Auditorium on the campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The seminars are free and open to public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Feb. 5:<\/strong> Dr. Daniel Kammen, Johns Hopkins University. Topic: Environmental justice Lives!. Host: Dr. Kausiksankar Das. CANCELED<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Feb. 12: <\/strong>Dr. Victoria Volkis, University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Topic: From waste to wealth: \u201cwhole\u2011istic\u201d approach to superfruits. POSTPONED UNTIL FALL 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Feb. 19: <\/strong>Dr. Inty Omar Hernandez de Lira, a postdoctoral researcher, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Topic: &#8220;From Wild Relatives to the Farm: Breeding Disease-Resistant Tomatoes.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>March 5: <\/strong>Dr. Eloisa Vendemiatti, West Virginia State University. Topic: Plant trichomes and pest resistance. Host: Dr. Simon Zebelo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>April 9: <\/strong>Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development, Center for Sustainable Development, Brookings Institution; host of the &#8220;Reimagine Rural&#8221;&nbsp;podcast. Host: Dr. Abiodun Omotayo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>April 30:<\/strong> Dr. Francisco Dini-Andreote, Penn State University. Topic: Microbial ecology. Host: Dr. Gordon Custer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact Dr. Ahmed Elnabawi at <a href=\"mailto:aelnabawi@umes.edu\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">aelnabawi@umes.edu<\/span><\/a> for more information. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another formation, please contact ADA@umes.edu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/extension\/small-farms-program\/events\/notice-of-filming-and-photography\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Notice of filming and photography<\/span>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Spring 2026 SANS Seminar Series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div aria-label=\"Carousel Gallery\" class=\"wp-block-coblocks-gallery-carousel alignfull\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery-carousel-swiper-container is-cropped coblocks-gallery has-caption-style-dark has-horizontal-gutter has-no-thumbnails\"><div class=\"has-carousel has-carousel-lrg swiper-container\" data-swiper=\"{&quot;alignCells&quot;:false,&quot;autoPlay&quot;:true,&quot;autoPlaySpeed&quot;:3000,&quot;draggable&quot;:false,&quot;freeMode&quot;:false,&quot;loop&quot;:false,&quot;navigation&quot;:true,&quot;pageDots&quot;:false,&quot;pauseHover&quot;:false,&quot;responsiveHeight&quot;:false,&quot;slidesPerView&quot;:2,&quot;thumbnails&quot;:false,&quot;uuid&quot;:&quot;12345&quot;}\" style=\"height:400px\"><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Dr. Nazia Arbab introduces School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences Seminar Speaker Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution on April 9, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-16025\" data-id=\"16025\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8830\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8830.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8830.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8830-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8830-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Dr. Nazia Arbab of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore introduces School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences Seminar Speaker Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution on April 9, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"1\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution, speaks at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-16027\" data-id=\"16027\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8837\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8837.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8837.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8837-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8837-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speaks at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"2\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution, speaks at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-16028\" data-id=\"16028\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8841\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8841.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8841.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8841-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8841-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speaks at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"3\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Attendees listen to a presentation by Tony Pipa at SANS seminar.\" class=\"wp-image-16029\" data-id=\"16029\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8857\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8857.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8857.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8857-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8857-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Attendees listen to Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speak at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"4\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Attendees listen to a presentation by Tony Pipa at SANS seminar.\" class=\"wp-image-16030\" data-id=\"16030\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8886\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8886.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8886.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8886-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8886-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Attendees listen to Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speak at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"5\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Attendees listen to presentation by Tony Pipa at SANS Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-16031\" data-id=\"16031\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8891\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8891.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8891.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8891-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8891-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Attendees listen to Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speak at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"6\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Attendees listen to presentation by Tony Pipa at SANS Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-16032\" data-id=\"16032\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8892\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8892.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8892.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8892-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8892-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Attendees listen to Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speak at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\"><div class=\"coblocks-gallery--item\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"7\"><figure class=\"coblocks-gallery--figure has-margin-left-5 has-margin-left-mobile-5 has-margin-right-5 has-margin-right-mobile-5\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"702\" alt=\"Tony Pipa of the Brookings Institution, speaks at the SANS Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-16033\" data-id=\"16033\" data-link=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/tgd_8900\/\" src=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8900.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8900.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8900-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2026\/04\/TGD_8900-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figcaption class=\"coblocks-gallery--caption coblocks-gallery--primary-caption\">Tony Pipa, senior fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speaks at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201d <\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div><button class=\"nav-button__prev\" id=\"12345-prev\"><svg class=\"icon\" style=\"transform:rotate(180deg)\"><\/svg><\/button><button class=\"nav-button__next\" id=\"12345-next\"><svg class=\"icon\"><\/svg><\/button><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Tony Pipa, senior fellow in the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution, speaks at the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar on April 9, 2026. Pipa\u2019s topic was \u201cReimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.\u201dPhotos by Kara Nuzback, UMES Ag Communications)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"past-seminars\">Past Seminars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>Speaker<\/th><th>Topic<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>April 9, 2026<\/td><td>Tony Pipa, Brookings Institution<\/td><td>Reimagining Rural: A Blueprint for Keeping Rural Communities Vital.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Feb. 19 , 2026<\/td><td>Dr. Inty Omar Hernandez de Lira, University of Maryland Eastern Shore<\/td><td>From Wild Relatives to the Farm: Breeding Disease-Resistant Tomatoes.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>March 5, 2026<\/td><td>Dr. Eloisa Vendemiatti, West Virginia State University<\/td><td>Type-IV Trichomes and Acylsugars: Translating Natural Defense into Breeding Tools.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title has-background has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color\">SANS Seminars 2025<\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\" style=\"border-color:#651d32\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>Speaker<\/th><th>Topic<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Nov. 20, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Rimnoma Serge Ouedraogo, Penn State University<\/td><td>Global Crop Health Challenges: Bridging Innovation, Research, and Sustainable Solutions for Food Security.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nov. 13, 2025<\/td><td>Edward Goodman, horticulturist and owner of Goodman LLC.<\/td><td>A Career Rooted in Sustainability: My Journey in Horticulture.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nov. 6, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Leal, University of Maryland, College Park<\/td><td>Next-gen Trait Improvement: Engineering Quantitative Traits Using Genome Editing.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 30, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Million Tadege, Oklahoma State University<\/td><td>Molecular insight into the control of leaf blade development in legumes.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 16, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Maureen Lehto Brewster, University of Maryland Eastern Shore<\/td><td>Following Fascist Aesthetics With(in) \u2018Conservative Girl Makeup\u2019 on TikTok.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 9, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Katrina Pagenkopp Lohan, Coastal Disease Ecology Laboratory, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center<\/td><td>Drivers Altering Host-Parasite Interactions in Coastal Ecosystems.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April 29, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Carolyn Brooks, UMES Faculty Member Emerita and former dean of School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences<\/td><td>135 Years of the Second Morrill Act: Shaping Land-grant Universities and HBCUs.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April 15, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Aleaya Bowie, University of Maryland, College Park<\/td><td>From Student to Veterinarian: The Power of Mentorship, Networking and Keeping an Open Mind.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April 10, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Ayobami Ogunmolasuyi, Bain &amp; Co.<\/td><td>Navigating Success: From UMES to the Ivy League and Beyond into Consulting.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>March 13, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Michelle Spencer, University of Maryland Eastern Shore<\/td><td>Adult Learning Theory and the Non-traditional Student.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>March 6, 2025<\/td><td>Terrence Frett, Lead Plant Breeder, Wish Farms of Florida<\/td><td>Berry, Berry Tasty! Breeding berries and small fruit for Improved flavor and disease resistance.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Feb. 27, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Suprakash Sinha Ray, Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa<\/td><td>PLA-based Bioplastics for a Circular Plastic Economy: Advantages and Challenges.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Feb. 13, 2025<\/td><td>Dr. Dia-Eldin A. Elnaiem, University of Maryland Eastern Shore<\/td><td>Moon Talk: The Impact of Lunar Cycle on the Nocturnal Activity Rhythm of an Insect Vector of a Killing Disease.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title has-background has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color\">SANS seminars 2024<\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\" style=\"border-color:#651d32\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>Speaker<\/th><th>Topic<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Nov. 14, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Salem Al Mosleh, University of Maryland Eastern Shore<\/td><td>Getting in Shape: From Beaks to Batteries<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 24, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Samira Musah, Duke University<\/td><td>Uncovering Human Disease Mysteries with Stem Cell and Organ Chip Models<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 17, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Indranath Chaudhuri, St. Xavier&#8217;s College, Kolkata, India<\/td><td>Pattern Formation in Nature<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 10, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Stephen Tomasetti, University of Maryland Eastern Shore<\/td><td>Shellfish Stories<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 3, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Yvon Woappi, Columbia University<\/td><td>Developing High-Throughput Wound Organoids for Human-relevant Injury Modeling<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sept. 12, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Anil N. Netravali, Cornell University<\/td><td>Advanced Green Composites<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>May 9, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Jonica Thompson, USDA\u2019s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2024\/03\/SANS-Seminar-May-9-2024.pdf\">Common Poultry Diseases on the Eastern Shore<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>May 2, 2024<\/td><td>Margaret &#8220;Marnie&#8221; Pepper, USDA APHIS<\/td><td>Understanding and Managing Wildlife Conflicts<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April 11, 2024<\/td><td>Margaret Zeigler, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture<\/td><td>Feeding the Americas and the World: Bridges for Agricultural Cooperation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Feb. 15, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Habilou Ouro-Koura,<br>Pacific Northwest National Laboratory<\/td><td>From Student Lab to National Research Lab<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Feb. 22, 2024<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/pr\/experimental-payload-designed-by-umes-professor-launched-aboard-virgin-galactics-galactic-05\/\">Dr. Aaron Persad<\/a>, UMES Engineering Dept.<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2024\/01\/SANS-Seminar-Feb.-22-2024-FINAL.pdf\">Space Food to Space Suit<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mar. 7, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Birendra Adhikari, Idaho National Laboratory<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2024\/02\/SANS-Seminar-March-7-2024.pdf\">Membrane Separation: Technology Needed to Reach Net-Zero<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mar. 14, 2024<\/td><td>Dr. Naveen Dixit, UMES SANS<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2024\/02\/SANS-Seminar-March-14-2024-FINAL.pdf\">UMES Horticulture: Advancements in Teaching, Research and Extension<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item\"><details><summary class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__title has-background has-header-secondary-bg-color-background-color\">SANS seminars 2023<\/summary><div class=\"wp-block-coblocks-accordion-item__content\" style=\"border-color:#651d32\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Date<\/th><th>Speaker<\/th><th>Topic<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>March 15, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Deborah Sauder<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wboc.com\/news\/research-on-poultry-industrys-impact-on-air-quality-shared-wednesday-at-umes\/article_8f36f38c-c375-11ed-9cf6-a3f17713314e.html\">First Measurement of Ambient Air Quality on the Rural Lower Eastern Shore<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April 5, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Jimmy W. Smith<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-monthly-digest\/expert-in-international-programs-in-agriculture-and-natural-resources-to-speak\/\">Opportunities and Challenges in International Agriculture Development<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April 19, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Charles R. Powley<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-monthly-digest\/expert-in-pfas-to-speak-at-umes-lecture\/\">Challenges in the Analysis of PFAS in the Environment<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>April 27, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. L. Mahadevan<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-monthly-digest\/march-2023-sans-monthly-digest\/magic-mystery-and-mathematics-in-the-mundane\/\">Magic, Mystery,&nbsp;and Mathematics in the Mundane<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sept. 13, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Richard Kane<\/td><td>Exploring the Synthesis and Energy Storage Applications of&nbsp;Graphene<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sept. 20, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Catherine A. Richter<\/td><td>Molecular biology in environmental science:<br>Discovery of de novo thiaminase synthesis in fish,<br>and defining the range of a rare and cryptic fish with environmental DNA<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sept. 27, 2023<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-monthly-digest\/umes-physics-professor-named-an-american-physical-society-fellow\/\">Dr. Kausiksankar Das<\/a>, SANS, UMES<\/td><td>Technology in the classroom (virtual reality and cellphone)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 11, 2023<\/td><td>Ray Baughman, University of Texas at Dallas<\/td><td>Give it a twist: How artificial muscles harvest mechanical energy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Oct. 25, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Malinda Cecil, UMES<\/td><td>A Food Culture Tour of the Republic of Ireland and the Challenges of Food Sustainability<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nov. 8, 2023<\/td><td>Trevor Michaels, USDA&#8217;s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service<\/td><td>How conservation detection dogs<br>are used for wildlife management<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nov. 29, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Melissa A. Cregger, Oak Ridge National Laboratory<\/td><td>How harnessing plant-microbe interactions builds sustainable ecosystems.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Dec. 6, 2023<\/td><td>Dr. Carrie A.M. Laboski, USDA-ARS<br>Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit in University Park, PA.<\/td><td>Sustainable Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate Decisions Tools for<br>Corn Production: A Midwestern Approach<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->\n<noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/ns.html?id=GTM-TPSQ54N\" height=\"0\" width=\"0\" style=\"display:none;visibility:hidden\"><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/non-discrimination-statement\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.usda.gov\/non-discrimination-statement\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">This institution is an equal opportunity provider<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For specific accommodations, contact:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:ada@umes.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">ada@umes.edu<\/span><\/a>&nbsp;or 410-651-6135.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwwwcp.umes.edu%2Fextension%2Fsmall-farms-program%2Fevents%2Fnotice-of-filming-and-photography%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CKDDesai%40umes.edu%7Cd02a58e5a93b49b6ebff08de04dfa4ab%7Cf3b74c6baf13485097f02e97a8a9b7d7%7C0%7C0%7C638953555774419296%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=keTzfwCfdyLUBWhYjtW%2FUwdpkOXCQEsvKEo1Sggqpxk%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwwwcp.umes.edu%2Fextension%2Fsmall-farms-program%2Fevents%2Fnotice-of-filming-and-photography%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CKDDesai%40umes.edu%7Cd02a58e5a93b49b6ebff08de04dfa4ab%7Cf3b74c6baf13485097f02e97a8a9b7d7%7C0%7C0%7C638953555774419296%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=keTzfwCfdyLUBWhYjtW%2FUwdpkOXCQEsvKEo1Sggqpxk%3D&amp;reserved=0\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Notice of filming and photography<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Penn State expert to talk about soil ecology and plant health An expert in microbial ecology of plants from Penn State&nbsp;will wrap up the 2026 School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences\u2019 Spring Seminar Series on April 30. Dr. Francisco Dini-Andreote is an associate professor of phytobiomes and Huck Early Career chair in Microbial Community Ecology&nbsp;at&#8230;<span class=\"cpschool-read-more-link-holder\"><a class=\"btn btn-basic cpschool-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/sans-seminar-series\/\">Read more <span class=\"sr-only\">SANS Seminar Series<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"{\"coblocks-hero-2279496739\":{\"padding\":{}},\"coblocks-media-card-3268558855\":{\"padding\":{}}}","_coblocks_responsive_height":"{\"coblocks-hero-2279496739\":{\"height\":{\"height\":1}}}","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"folder":[],"class_list":["post-4379","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4379\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wwwcp.umes.edu\/sans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=4379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}