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Dear Colleagues,</div>
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This is a friendly reminder to please register for the SPLS Retreat using this <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4kKXgpnGMa6ei_EGlnN9imeOxCFHUc6ZbEFKGiffO3MG92g/viewform" id="OWA9ce40b8c-8d80-bb37-93bc-aa17e8fb5625" class="OWAAutoLink" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4kKXgpnGMa6ei_EGlnN9imeOxCFHUc6ZbEFKGiffO3MG92g/viewform">
Google Form</a>.</div>
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We kindly ask that you register as soon as possible <b>(deadline: next Wednesday, April 29).
</b>Having an accurate headcount is essential for the Retreat Committee to finalize the program schedule and food arrangements efficiently and promptly. Registration is FREE!</div>
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<u>Highlights of this year's retreat:</u></div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;">Two special guest speakers who will be bringing diverse perspectives:</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><a href="https://bse.unl.edu/person/nipuna-chamara/" id="OWAd75359f4-abcf-3dce-bdee-3c9bd7836637" class="OWAAutoLink" title="https://bse.unl.edu/person/nipuna-chamara/">Dr. Nipuna Chamara</a> from
the University of Nebraska, whose work focuses on applying AI to agricultural systems</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-waller-phd-473485205/" title="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-waller-phd-473485205/" id="OWA680a9c69-89de-9619-bc27-12881b262d7f" class="OWAAutoLink">Dr.
Rebekah Waller</a> from <a href="https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/division-programs#plant-science" title="https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en/study/division-programs#plant-science" id="OWA786b4da2-3843-d579-e52f-4155c536857e" class="OWAAutoLink">
KAUST</a>, who is the Staff Engineer-Scientist, Station Director, Wadi Qudaid Experiment Station, and Co-PI with the KAUST Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food Security</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;">Graduate students (including those not in SPLS but working in SPLS labs) are very welcome—please share this with them and encourage them to register for free</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;">Undergraduate students in your labs are also encouraged to attend and participate, and they can also register for free</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;">Poster competitions and cash awards (feel free to present posters they have already prepared): </div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;">Graduate student poster awards across multiple categories (four) and multiple levels (2-3 in each category), supported by a generous anonymous donor (~$1,000 total in awards)</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;">Undergraduate poster awards (totaling $150, with 2–3 prizes)</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" role="presentation" style="margin: 1em 0px;">Best Paper for graduate students and postdocs (cash awards, two each), including selected winners to give talks</div>
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The registration link will allow you to submit your information for each competition. We strongly encourage you to register and share this with your lab members. Your participation will help make this retreat engaging, representative, and successful. Thank
you, and we look forward to seeing you at the retreat.</div>
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SPLS 2026 retreat committee</div>
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(Dave Baltrus, Ali Mohammed, Ravi Palanivelu, Kelsey Pryze, Dave Romens, Rod Wing, Zhongguo Xiong)</div>
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<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">-- </div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">Ravishankar Palanivelu, Ph. D.</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">Professor</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">School of Plant Sciences</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">University of Arizona</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">Tucson, Arizona, 85721</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">Phone: 520-626-2229</div>
<div class="elementToProof" style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 13px;">Fax: 520-621-7186</div>
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Lab website: sites.arizona.edu/ravi-lab</div>
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