SPEAKERS:
Dr. Margaret Young is a tenured Associate Professor of Biology at Elizabeth City State University. She currently teaches courses in General Botany, Molecular Biology, and Applied Statistics. She recently stepped down as the Director of Undergraduate Research. She has had several federal and local grants to improve the teaching of plant sciences and molecular biology. Dr. Young has maintained an active research lab in plant tissue culture and transformation of recalcitrant plants; and has mentored over 30 undergrad students. She is an active member of several societies. She was a recent member of the Board of Port Discover (NENC center for youth science); and mentors online high school biology students as part of PlantingScience (Planting Science – Home). Dr. Young has a BS double major in Chemistry and Botany, a MPhil in Botany (plant genetics) from University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica; and a PhD in Horticulture (plant molecular biology) from Mississippi State University (MSU). She also did postdoctoral research at MSU; and taught high school biology for six years in Jamaica.
Dr. Stephon Fitzpatrick is the Executive Director of Together We Grow and the National MANRRS President. He is a distinguished expert in organizational leadership and change management, with a profound commitment to driving innovation and inclusivity within the agriculture industry. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Fitzpatrick has been at the forefront of transformative initiatives that empower organizations to navigate complex changes and achieve sustainable growth. Dr. Fitzpatrick is particularly passionate about supporting diverse and underrepresented populations within the agriculture sector. He has dedicated his career to advocating for inclusive practices and creating opportunities for marginalized communities. Through his work, Dr. Fitzpatrick has successfully led numerous programs and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
Dr. Jason B. Thomas completed his undergraduate degree in Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his PhD in Plant Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. It was during his PhD that Dr. Thomas became acquainted with the plant. For his dissertation, he studied genes involved in nectar biosynthesis, characterized pennycress nectar production, and generated CRISPR/Cas mutants in pennycress with altered nectar production. During his PhD he received a Fulbright Fellowship to bring his research to France at the ENS-Lyon Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Plants. He completed a postdoc at the Carnegie Institution for Sciences at Stanford University where he continued researching pennycress but with a focus on understanding drought and bioinformatics approaches. Currently, Dr. Thomas is the CEO and Founder of The Pennycress Company, a startup focused on engineering pennycress plants to meet the needs of both people and the environment.