Summer CRISPR Workshop

This project will run a “CRISPR” immersion program for under-represented minority students (Co-organizers: Drs. Hemayet Ullah, Yiping Qi, Shunyuan Xiao, Bing Yang). 

According to a survey by the NSF, in 2018, only 0.63% of PhD graduates in the U.S. specialized in plant science and only four of these graduates identified as African Americans.  To fill this critical gap, we will invigorate the interest of URM students in plant science by running three consecutive “CRISPR Technology & Application” summer workshops at the Howard University, a private, federally chartered historically black university in Washington, D.C. where co-PI Ullah is located. Up to 20 URM students from Howard University or other nearby universities will be selected to receive the training.  The one-week-long program will be led by co-PI Ullah with support from all other co-PIs and invited CRISPR experts. It will consist of the following: (i) Four lectures on specific aspects of CRISPR research & application; (ii) A “CRISPR made easy” module to offer hands-on experience that covers guide RNA design, making DNA constructs, plant transformation, and verification of targeted mutations; (iii) Targeted recruitment of 3-5 outstanding URM students from the workshop participants for a paid internship supported by this project in the co-PIs’ lab over the summer and/or the following fall semester to receive more advanced training. These students will be encouraged to pursue graduate studies in plant science in the co-PIs’ lab or elsewhere. This workshop activity will not only boost the quality of the general education of URM students but also create concrete opportunities for them to choose plant science for professional training and career development.

The first CRISPR Workshop was held between July 10-14, 2023.  

Note:  The 2023 Summer Workshop was a great success. To get an idea about it, please watch this video clip. 

2024  Summer CRISPR Workshop will be held at Howard University from July 8 to July 12.  Application information can be found in the flyer below.