Celebrating Women in Science at the Danforth Center

Tessa Burch-Smith, PhD, is an Associate Member at the Danforth Center. Her research is centered on intercellular communication in plants via pores called plasmodesmata, since plant cell walls limit interactions with the cell membrane and the movement of the cells. “Currently my research focuses on three overlapping areas: elucidating how chloroplast signals influence plasmodesmata, investigating the role of plasmodesmata in plant-virus interactions, and understanding how plasmodesmata form across existing cell walls,” she explains. Tessa and team are shedding light on two important plant biology topics: how different parts of a plant exchange signaling molecules and metabolites, and how viruses interact with their hosts to cause disease.

Was there a woman that played an important role in your science career?
Between the ages of five and fifteen, I only had one science teacher who was not a woman. Even as an undergraduate, many of my science professors were women, and thus, I viewed becoming a scientist as a realistic goal. In particular, my postdoctoral advisor, Dr. Patricia Zambryski, was quite influential in shaping my current research direction and mentoring approach. She modeled for me that care of the whole individual is essential for producing creative and enthusiastic scientists, and I try to emulate this in my own mentoring.

What is your advice for women and girls that are interested in pursuing science?
I would advise them that there is room for them and their ideas in science. Reading the history of science and seeing the representation in pop culture, one gets the impression that science is not the place for women, but this is simply not true. Seek mentors and advisors who believe in your abilities and then trust your judgment. Your skills, talents and opinions are as valid and valuable as anyone else’s.

How do you hope to see the plant science field change during your career?
Women make up 40 percent of the global agricultural workforce according to recent estimates. As plant scientists, we should strive to include more women and marginalized voices in decision making and in guiding the direction of our research. Further, I hope that plant science becomes a truly global endeavor as we strive to address the challenges to food and crop production that affect all people. I also hope that we conduct more research in the crops that we use for food and so many other products, and that we begin to deploy solutions to the conservation challenges we face.