A joint webinar between INSR, the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and the International Society for Seed Science (ISSS) will take place on 14 December, 14:00-16:00 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

The webinar is free and open to all. For more details and to register, please see here: https://www.seedtest.org/en/workshops-and-webinars/isss-ista-insr-webinar-on-web-based-resources-for-seed-scientists-product-10026.html. 

Web-based resources for seed scientists

During this webinar, INSR will present the new interface of the Seed Information Database (SID), now hosted by SER and INSR.

Panellists:

• Simone Pedrini is a lecturer in environmental restoration at the School of Molecular and Life Sciences a Curtin University. He specialised in native plant species conservation and reintroduction. His main focus is on optimising the native seed supply chain for ecological restoration, from seed collection and production, seed processing, quality testing, dormancy treatment, seed enhancement, and seed use in the field. Simone obtained a Bachelor of Science (2005-2008) and a Master of Science degree (2008-2011) in “Natural Sciences” from the University of Pavia (Italy). He was co-founder and managing director of the first Italian native plant nursery and seed producer, Flora Conservation (2012 to 2015). He obtained a PhD in “Seed enhancement technology application to native seeds” from Curtin university (2015-2019). Simone is a certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner, Chair-elect of the International Network for Seed Based Restoration and Co-founder and advisor of the European Native Seed Producers Association.

• Kirk Remund is presently chair of the ISTA Statistics Technical Committee. He and Dr. Jean-Louis Laffont, vice chair, have worked together in close partnership over the past two decades providing statistical solutions, training, and tools to the ISTA Technical Committees and beyond to seed testing professionals globally. Kirk is also a senior science fellow and statistician at Bayer Crop Science supporting seed physiology, seed genetics, and seed health testing for the company globally. He obtained his degrees in Statistics and Mathematics from Brigham Young University (USA) in the early 90s. Kirk and his wife Kae reside in Saint Louis Missouri (USA) and love spending leisure time with their family and three grandchildren.

• David Merritt is a Principal Research Scientist for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, based at Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth, Western Australia. His research interests include fundamental and applied aspects of the biology, physiology, and ecology of seeds, including studies of seed storage behaviour, dormancy, and germination. His work focuses on supporting the ex situ conservation of plant biodiversity through seed banking, and on developing techniques for the propagation and use of seeds for ecological restoration and threatened species translocations.

Moderator:

• Andreas Wais, ISTA Secretary General

The webinar is open to the public, everyone can participate for free. Questions from the audience will be discussed after each presentation in a dedicated Q&A time slot.

The INSR annual membership meeting is planned for September 13th at 10 am (EDT).

The meeting will start with a short introduction from the INSR board and a review of the highlights and achievements of the past year.

The board member will present the membership status, the finance, and our engagement programs, through the website, social media, upcoming workshops/conferences and the ambassador program.

The short presentation will be followed by a QnA session.

If you wish to participate in the INSR membership meeting 2022, please register at the following link. ​

Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpd-ytpz0rGNG3JPJhceUcywIX5dVt3tPY