Name: Anubhuti Sharma
Title: Senior Lecturer
Place of Work or School: Banasthali University (Women’s University), Rajasthan, India
Research Area: Plant Defense System
Member since: 2003

1. Why has being a member of ASPB been important to you?
ASPB offers various opportunities to interact with researchers actively involved in diverse fields of plant biology. ASPB builds strong networks with colleagues and collaborators from our field.

2. Was someone instrumental in getting you to join ASPB?
Journals published by ASPB and the regular web activities inspired me to become a member. One of my family members in the United States also inspired me to become a member.

3. What would you tell colleagues to encourage them to join?
It is important for your career development, no matter whether you are a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member in plant sciences. I would make the colleagues aware that ASPB offers support for their focus on networking opportunities, career development, and excellent benefits such as discounts on registration fees for ASPB meetings, travel awards, and an online Job Bank. The Society publishes two top journals, The Plant Cell and Plant Physiology, as well as a couple of important books. It organizes annual international scientific meetings. It promotes plant biology education. ASPB does a great job representing plant scientists and our interests.

4. Have you enhanced your career using ASPB job postings or through networking at an ASPB function?
I have benefited from the access to online journals, newsletters, job postings, and reduced registration fees for the ASPB meetings. Interactions with researchers at the meetings generated collaborations and also aided me in finding a research position in Dr. Kiran Mysore’s noble organization. The articles inspire us to achieve higher goals in life and a sense of direction.

5. Have you had any success at finding candidates as a result of a job posting at the meeting or via our online Job Bank?
No, I have not yet used this service, but I am hopeful that in the near future this will be an excellent source to explore.

6. Do you read print journals? If so, where do you usually read them?
I always enjoy the ASPB journals. I read the journals at work or in the library.

7. What do you think is the next “big thing” in plant biology?
I think biofuels and stress tolerance are two areas that will probably be increasingly important in the future with global climate change.

8. What person, living or deceased, do you most admire?
I admire Mahatma Gandhi as he brought freedom through nonviolence to my country, India. I have chosen to serve in the institution in India that is based on Gandhi’s policies. I follow all those principles in my life, too.

9. What are you reading these days?
I am currently reading The Plant Cell with my team. I also enjoy reading about current affairs and popular scientific articles.

10. What are your hobbies?
Singing, gardening, and reading books. These have given me peace of mind and knowledge.

11. What is your most treasured possession?
My family (especially my daughter) and my friends. The happiness and encouragement that I get from them help me to do things successfully.

12. What do you still have left to learn?
Learning is endless. Even from children we can learn a lot. But life is short, and we can’t learn everything. I still feel I have much to learn in my field and from ASPB and its dedicated members who are involved in imparting the knowledge of science daily.