ECPS Core Team 2026
Chair: Taylor Scroggs taylor.scroggs@uga.edu, University of Georgia
Council and MemComm Rep: Taylor Scroggs
Treasurer: Emma Canaday ec001221@ohio.edu, Ohio University
I’m Emma, a 5th year PhD student at Ohio University where I research how plants respond to space flight stress. I do a lot of data science looking at changes to DNA damage and RNA regulation from plants exposed to the µ gravity and radiation of space. Outside of lab, I like backpacking and making fiber art. I’ve been involved with ECPS for 4 years, and it’s been amazing to see early careers have a larger voice in ASPB through that time. As the treasurer, my focus is on travel and virtual viewing awards. The Plant Biology is only as good as the community attending and helping support that community has been my goal while working with ECPS.
Sci Com: Mae Mercado maemercado1990@gmail.com, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign
Mae is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Dr. Tracy Lawson at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she is studying regulators of stomata for water-use efficiency. She finished her PhD last August 2025, where she studied key factors in photosynthesis evolution in wild grasses and heat stress tolerance in maize. She is passionate about communicating science to different audiences, as well as providing platforms and opportunities for early career scientists, which is why she joined the ASPB-ECPS section and is currently the Head of Science Communication. She is the main organizer of the 3-Minute Thesis Competition at Plant Biology conferences. Her favorite plant is maize, which is also the crop she worked on during her PhD. Outside work, she likes to do brush pen calligraphy, baking, playing the ukulele, and singing.
EDI Chair: Meenu Singla msingla@iu.edu, Indiana University
Meenu Singla-Rastogi is a postdoctoral research fellow in the lab of Professor Roger Innes at Indiana University Bloomington, where she studies how plants communicate with microbes through extracellular RNAs. Her research focuses on uncovering how these molecular exchanges shape plant immune responses and influence plant–microbe interactions. She joined ASPB and ECPS to help build an inclusive, collaborative environment for early-career scientists. As the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Chair for ECPS, Meenu works to amplify diverse voices, create meaningful mentorship opportunities, and promote belonging within the plant science community. Outside the lab, she enjoys science communication, hiking, gardening, and creative outreach activities that make plant biology accessible to everyone. Her favorite plant is Arabidopsis thaliana, a small experimental plant with a big impact.
Internal Comms: Seth Edwards SEdwards@danforthcenter.org, Donald Danforf Plant Science Center
My name is Seth Edwards, and I am the current Internal Communications Chair for ECPS. I received my PhD from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2025 and am now a Research Scientist I at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center working on improving genome editing technologies for crop improvement. I became more involved in ECPS because I want to create opportunities and connections that help early career plant scientists integrate seamlessly into the plant science community. Outside of the lab, I love outdoor activities, including sports, hiking, and floating. My favorite plant is the workhorse of molecular biology, Arabidopsis.
External Comms: Dani Gafford gaffo009@umn.edu, University of Minnesota
My name is Dani Gafford, and I am a master’s student at the University of Minnesota, co-advised by Dr. Kathleen Greenham and Dr. Feng Zhang. Growing up in a forest in a rural community in Missouri, I became fascinated with the natural world. This sense of exploration has driven me to conduct articulate research in several disciplines. I combine my knowledge bases in plant genetics, ecology, and additionally anthropology to lead people-focused solutions to the pressures of climate change. It’s my goal to use my scientific foundation and knowledge built from international volunteer experiences to connect different audiences to the importance of innovative research. In ASPB ECPS, I aim to build excitement for impactful science while highlighting the amazing work done by early-career plant scientists. Outside of the lab, I enjoy attending concerts and training jiu-jitsu. My favorite plant is the mighty orchid.
Vice Chair: Joseph Lagner, jlagner@umd.edu, University of Maryland – College Park
Nominations Committee Rep: Joey Lagnar
Hi, I’m Joseph “Joey” Lagner. I am a Phd Candidate at University of Maryland, College Park. My work has involved using CRISPR-based applications for disease detection assays and genome editing in plants. I got involved with ASPB and ECPS after my first ASPB Plant Symposium conference hosted on my campus because they extremely welcoming to all plant scientists regardless of their specialty or current career status. I signed up to attend the annual meeting in Savannah, GA that year and was so happy to be surrounded with so many interesting and fun plant nerds just like me. Outside of the lab I like knowing the names of the trees as I walk by and trying out new restaurants. My favorite plant is the Ginkgo biloba tree.
