Derek Gingerich

One candidate running for the position of President of the ASPB PUI Section:

Derek Gingerich, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, a public undergraduate institution in the University of Wisconsin state system. I have just completed my eleventh year at UWEC. I have been an ASPB member since my graduate student days and have been involved with the ASPB PUI group nearly as long. In past few years I have become involved in leadership within the group. Prior to the Plant Biology 2016 meeting in Austin, TX I researched the procedure for obtaining section status for the PUI group and presented those findings at the meeting. After that, I was a member of the organizing committee for the PUI workshop at the Plant Biology 2017 meeting in Honolulu, HI. Members of that committee, including myself, wrote a grant proposal to the USDA and obtained funding to support the workshop and provide travel grants to participants. This past year I chaired the committee that wrote the proposal to ASPB seeking establishment of the PUI section. Since that was approved late last fall, I have been a member of the ad-hoc leadership team guiding the section. I am seeking the President’s position because I am very excited about the possibilities this new section presents for those at PUIs, those interested in careers at PUIs, or those affiliated with PUIs. Personally, I also see leading the section during these early years as a unique opportunity for me to serve the section, the ASPB organization, and the plant biology community in general. Thank you to everyone who has already become a member of the section. Your participation and support is critical to this group’s success!