IPBGG Graduate Student Association
About the Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG) Graduate Student Association (GSA)
The Institute of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (IPBGG) Graduate Student Association (GSA) is an association for all students at IPBGG, University of Georgia.
Our goals are to:
- Help students become acquainted with all Institute graduate students.
- Foster a sense of community within the graduate students at the Institute.
- Help students become familiar with the research projects of other graduate students and better understand the scope of the graduate research program of the department.
- Sponsor projects, events, and opportunities within the Institute to enhance the graduate student program.
- Support Institute activities contributing to the graduate program.
- Promote IPBGG student work outreach.
The association is run by eight committee members, nominated and elected by the IPBGG students annually. The nomination and election of board members happen every year at the IPBGG Retreat. The GSA also provides input and advice on Institute matters, ensuring that the graduate student perspective is heard and considered.
Current IPBGG GSA Committee
- President - Daniel Matusinec (daniel.matusinec@UGA.EDU)
- Vice-President (Athens) - Katie Toomey (Katie.Toomey@UGA.EDU)
- Vice-President (Tifton) - Rachel Hill (Rachel.Hill1@UGA.EDU)
- Vice-President (Griffin) - Saptarshi Mondal (Saptarshi.Mondal@UGA.EDU)
- Fundraising Chair - Chloe de la Cerna (epichloe@UGA.EDU)
- Treasurer - Dallas Kreisa (Dallas.Kreisa@UGA.EDU)
- Secretary - Anita Giabardo (Anita.Giabardo@UGA.EDU)
- Social Media Chair - Anne Marie Gahagan (AnneMarie.Gahagan@UGA.EDU)
- Journal Club Chair - Skye Remko (ser22398@UGA.EDU)
Newly-elected committee members, 2024.
Journal Club
Our goal for the journal club is to provide both students and faculty with an opportunity to come together to have friendly discussions on thought-provoking ideas. Each month, an IPBGG student will select a paper to read and discuss. The topic can range from an important scientific article to papers discussing general information relevant to graduate students. Participants do not need to read the paper before the journal club; just show up with the expectation to learn something new! Snacks are provided at all three campuses.
Fundraiser
We coordinate different events to raise monetary fund that are allocated to different activities and giveaways to the IPBGG graduate students. Some of the events hosted in the past and recently are plant sales, and percentage night at Athentic Brewing Company. Events as such encourage gatherings with delicious food and brews.
Social Events
One of the goals of IPBGG GSA is to facilitate social interactions. To foster a sense of community among the IPBGG students, we often organize events like IPBGG cookouts, IPBGG photo contests, No-shave November, Pool Parties and Pumpkin Carving Contests. In Athens, these cookouts are typically on the CAGT back deck, and students from all campuses are welcome to attend.