Jenny Russinova was elected as an international member of the National Academy of Sciences

Prof. Jenny Russinova, group leader at the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology

Recognition of outstanding research

The National Academy of Science was founded in 1863 in the United States of America, as a private advisory body to the nation about science- and technology-related matters. Members are elected by peers based on their outstanding research and contributions to the international scientific community. Currently, NAS counts 2.400 total members of which 500 international members and comprises 190 Nobel Prize laureates. Being part of the organization is perceived as a mark of excellence in science. The NAS membership selection is one of the highest recognitions of Jenny’s exceptional work on brassinosteroid signaling in plants.

Prof. Jenny Russinova: “This is a huge honor for me and I am very grateful to VIB and UGent for giving me the opportunity to work in this excellent environment and helping me grow as a researcher to achieve this award.”

How do plants react to hormones?

The lab of Jenny Russinova has built years of expertise in the field of brassinosteroid signaling. Brassinosteroids are growth-promoting plant hormones, that help control plant development through a broad range of cellular processes going from cell division to pathogen resistance. Jenny and her team are trying to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the perception of brassinosteroids and subsequent signal transduction, and ultimately, how this results in proper regulation of plant growth. Precise knowledge of growth regulation through brassinosteroids, could lead to potential applications in agriculture, boosting crop yield or resilience towards pathogen infections.

Prof. Dirk Inzé, Scientific Director of the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology: “This is an exceptional honor. Only a few Belgians ever received this outstanding recognition of excellence in science. Well deserved!”

Visit the lab page of Jenny Russinova