2023 Year in Review

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Research

By Sarah Sharman, PhD

Infographic by Makala Paul

Photo by Adobe.com

Photo by Adobe.com

Throughout 2023, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology celebrated its 15th anniversary, reflecting on the past and making bold plans for the future. Research, one of the three mission areas for HudsonAlpha, has maintained productivity and impact since the Institute opened its doors. This year was no exception.

From groundbreaking research initiatives to transformative collaborations, our dedicated scientists continue to push the boundaries of genomics and biotechnology, reinforcing HudsonAlpha's reputation as a pioneering force in the field. Continue reading as we revisit some of this year's key milestones, discoveries, and moments.
A graphic that says 'AAGB: Advances in Arachis through Genomics & Biotechnology"
A man at a podium speaking in front of an audience
Two women at a scientific poster discussing its contents
A man giving a scientific presentation at the US Space and Rocket Center

AAGB Keynote speaker Daniel Fonceka, PhD, at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center

A group of people gathered after a scientific conference

All of the attendees of the 2023 AAGB Conference at HudsonAlpha

A graphic that says 'AAGB: Advances in Arachis through Genomics & Biotechnology"
A man at a podium speaking in front of an audience
Two women at a scientific poster discussing its contents
A man giving a scientific presentation at the US Space and Rocket Center

AAGB Keynote speaker Daniel Fonceka, PhD, at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center

A group of people gathered after a scientific conference

All of the attendees of the 2023 AAGB Conference at HudsonAlpha

In October 2023, HudsonAlpha hosted more than 140 peanut researchers and peanut industry professionals from 6 continents. Conference attendees spent two and a half days learning about the latest peanut research, exchanging ideas, and networking.

Alex Harkess, PhD, at the Tiny Genes, Big Effects event

Alex Harkess, PhD, at the Tiny Genes, Big Effects event

The panel and moderator at the M&M Update event

The panel and moderator at the M&M Update event

Drs. Eric Green, Rick Myers, and Sarah Sharman at Discovery, Innovation, and Progress in Genomics event

Drs. Eric Green, Rick Myers, and Sarah Sharman at Discovery, Innovation, and Progress in Genomics event

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Alex Harkess, PhD, at the Tiny Genes, Big Effects event

Alex Harkess, PhD, at the Tiny Genes, Big Effects event

The panel and moderator at the M&M Update event

The panel and moderator at the M&M Update event

Drs. Eric Green, Rick Myers, and Sarah Sharman at Discovery, Innovation, and Progress in Genomics event

Drs. Eric Green, Rick Myers, and Sarah Sharman at Discovery, Innovation, and Progress in Genomics event

2023 in Photos

A man using a pipette at a microscope

Senior Scientist Ben Henderson, PhD, doing an experiment with cells under a microscope

Senior Scientist Ben Henderson, PhD, doing an experiment with cells under a microscope

A group of trainees with their instructor

HudsonAlpha 2023 BRIDGES fellows with Dr. Nikki Mertz

HudsonAlpha 2023 BRIDGES fellows with Dr. Nikki Mertz

A group of young people holding up peace signs in front of a harbor

Members of the Harkess lab at a science conference

Members of the Harkess lab at a science conference

A lab group discussing a paper in the lab

Members of the Cochran lab (L to R- Becky Hauser, PhD, Nick Cochran, PhD, Sam Bartley, PhD, and Bri Rogers, PhD)

Members of the Cochran lab (L to R- Becky Hauser, PhD, Nick Cochran, PhD, Sam Bartley, PhD, and Bri Rogers, PhD)

Shilpa Manjunatha and Pradeep Hirannaiah, PhD collecting samples from grasses in the greenhouse at HudsonAlpha

Shilpa Manjunatha and Pradeep Hirannaiah, PhD collecting samples from grasses in the greenhouse at HudsonAlpha

A greenhouse lit up at sunset

HudsonAlpha Kathy L. Chan Greenhouse at sunset

HudsonAlpha Kathy L. Chan Greenhouse at sunset

Three women standing in front of a pink and turquoise balloon arch

Emily Gordon, PhD (l), Kristy Bell (c), and Sara Cooper, PhD, at the Tie the Ribbons fundraising event

Emily Gordon, PhD (l), Kristy Bell (c), and Sara Cooper, PhD, at the Tie the Ribbons fundraising event

Two women in a greenhouse with peanut plants

Patricia Sanmartin and Kendall Lee, PhD, tending to peanut plants in the greenhouse

Patricia Sanmartin and Kendall Lee, PhD, tending to peanut plants in the greenhouse

L to R- Drs. Rick Myers, Sarah Sharman, and Eric Green

L to R- Drs. Rick Myers, Sarah Sharman, and Eric Green

A red and yellow dahlia flower

A red and yellow dahlia that graduate student Zach Meharg is studying

A red and yellow dahlia that graduate student Zach Meharg is studying

A group of people sitting around a table at an outdoor party

Members of the plant genomics team at the demonstration garden grand opening.

Members of the plant genomics team at the demonstration garden grand opening.

A large group of people gathered around a banner that says 'HudsonAlpha 15th Anniversary'

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology employees honoring the 15th Anniversary with a group photo

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology employees honoring the 15th Anniversary with a group photo

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A man using a pipette at a microscope

Senior Scientist Ben Henderson, PhD, doing an experiment with cells under a microscope

Senior Scientist Ben Henderson, PhD, doing an experiment with cells under a microscope

A group of trainees with their instructor

HudsonAlpha 2023 BRIDGES fellows with Dr. Nikki Mertz

HudsonAlpha 2023 BRIDGES fellows with Dr. Nikki Mertz

A group of young people holding up peace signs in front of a harbor

Members of the Harkess lab at a science conference

Members of the Harkess lab at a science conference

A lab group discussing a paper in the lab

Members of the Cochran lab (L to R- Becky Hauser, PhD, Nick Cochran, PhD, Sam Bartley, PhD, and Bri Rogers, PhD)

Members of the Cochran lab (L to R- Becky Hauser, PhD, Nick Cochran, PhD, Sam Bartley, PhD, and Bri Rogers, PhD)

Shilpa Manjunatha and Pradeep Hirannaiah, PhD collecting samples from grasses in the greenhouse at HudsonAlpha

Shilpa Manjunatha and Pradeep Hirannaiah, PhD collecting samples from grasses in the greenhouse at HudsonAlpha

A greenhouse lit up at sunset

HudsonAlpha Kathy L. Chan Greenhouse at sunset

HudsonAlpha Kathy L. Chan Greenhouse at sunset

Three women standing in front of a pink and turquoise balloon arch

Emily Gordon, PhD (l), Kristy Bell (c), and Sara Cooper, PhD, at the Tie the Ribbons fundraising event

Emily Gordon, PhD (l), Kristy Bell (c), and Sara Cooper, PhD, at the Tie the Ribbons fundraising event

Two women in a greenhouse with peanut plants

Patricia Sanmartin and Kendall Lee, PhD, tending to peanut plants in the greenhouse

Patricia Sanmartin and Kendall Lee, PhD, tending to peanut plants in the greenhouse

L to R- Drs. Rick Myers, Sarah Sharman, and Eric Green

L to R- Drs. Rick Myers, Sarah Sharman, and Eric Green

A red and yellow dahlia flower

A red and yellow dahlia that graduate student Zach Meharg is studying

A red and yellow dahlia that graduate student Zach Meharg is studying

A group of people sitting around a table at an outdoor party

Members of the plant genomics team at the demonstration garden grand opening.

Members of the plant genomics team at the demonstration garden grand opening.

A large group of people gathered around a banner that says 'HudsonAlpha 15th Anniversary'

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology employees honoring the 15th Anniversary with a group photo

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology employees honoring the 15th Anniversary with a group photo

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