Matt Swift

Matt Swift is the Journal Development Specialist for Botany & Arctic Science at Canadian Science Publishing.

Welcoming the inaugural cohort of Early Career Editors at Botany

December 5, 2024 | 4 minute read

Botany is delighted to announce the creation of an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Editorial Board and introduce the inaugural cohort of ECR editors to the journal.

Following the success of similar programs at other Canadian Science Publishing journals, including Arctic Science, FACETS, and the Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Science, the newly appointed ECR members will begin a 2-year term under the guidance of Botany’s Editors-in-Chief and associate editors. In addition to gaining valuable experience in handling manuscripts and peer review synthesis, ECR board members will contribute to the journal through promotion, journal ambassadorship, and the development of new initiatives.

At the conclusion of their 2-year term, ECR editors will have the opportunity to formally transition to become associate editors of the Botany editorial board, building on the skills and experiences gained during their term as ECR Editors.

Follow Botany on social media for more early career opportunities.

The establishment of this new board underscores Botany’s and Canadian Science Publishing’s continued commitment to improving the diversity, equity, and inclusivity of our publishing practices. The program welcomes members from diverse backgrounds and expertise and aims to remove barriers to participation in modern science.

Without further ado, introducing the newest members of the Botany editorial board:

Yaseen Mottiar

Dr. Mottiar is an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa whose work primarily focuses on the secondary cell walls of vascular plants and aims to uncover the mechanisms behind cell wall assembly across plant lineages.

Tanvir Ahmed Shovon

Dr. Shovon is a postdoctoral researcher at the Université du Québec with expertise in ecosystem-based forest management and ecohydrology. With a background in harnessing advanced modern technology such as unmanned aerial vehicle forest monitoring and sap flow-sensing, their work is dedicated to ensuring the resilience of crucial ecosystems in the face of a changing climate.

Nils Ambec

Dr. Ambec serves as a postdoctoral researcher at SLU Swedish Species Information Centre, studying the interactions between fungi, vascular plants, bryophytes and their environments such as boreal forests, fens and bogs.

Brandi Zenchyzen

Dr. Zenchyzen completed her PhD studies at the University of Alberta in 2023 and has primary research interests in plant/pollinator interactions, floral colour, morphology, and the phytochemistry of nectar. At Plant Canada 2024, Dr. Zenchyzen’s paper, “Developmental and genetic basis of the androgynophore in Gynandropsis Gynandra” was presented with the prestigious Taylor Steeves award for best student paper in plant development, structure or morphology.

Shunji Nakamura

Dr. Nakamura is currently working as a postdoctoral researcher in the Tsukaya Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Nakamura’s studies leaf development using luminescent imaging, tissue observation and analysis of gene expression at the single-cell level.

Nathan Kiel

Dr. Kiel is a postdoctoral research associate at The State University of New York (SUNY). As a plant ecologist by training, Dr. Kiel’s research is focused on the study of boreal and north-temperate ecosystems. This research is carried out via a combination of observational and experimental approaches in addition to harnessing “big data” techniques to assess the impact of climate change and other ecological disturbances on these regions.

Sahari Inoue

Dr. Inoue serves as a postdoctoral researcher at Hokkaido University and a visiting scholar at Lakehead University. Dr. Inoue’s research focuses on the impact of climate change on forests and sustainable ecosystem management. Her research uses a variety of techniques—such as the exploration of plant responses to climate stressors via environmental studies and deeper investigations into the robustness of plant genotypes and phenotypes—to gain a deeper understanding of overall plant adaptability.

Arpita Yadav

Dr. Yadav is a postdoctoral scholar at The Pennsylvania State University and investigates how plants acclimate to stressors both biotic and abiotic at the molecular and organismal levels. Another branch of this research investigates the impact of plant hormonal systems in responding to these stressors and the influence this has on the overall response of the plant.

Korina Ocampo-Zuleta

Dr. Ocampo-Zuleta works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB) in Chile. With a focus on fire dynamics, post-fire ecosystem restoration, and biological invasions, Dr. Ocampo-Zuleta’s research is at the center of the challenges faced by many ecosystems in the context of climate change in regions all over the world.

The members of the ECR board bring a wide range of expertise to the journal and, in doing so, ensure that Botany is at the forefront of research dedicated to studying the many threats faced by ecosystems all over the world.

While the current cohort will serve for the next two years, the ECR Editorial Board program will run into the future and continue to support new researchers on their publishing journey throughout their careers

Interested in becoming part of the next cohort? Follow us on social media or keep an eye on our website for our next application period and details on how you can contribute to the future of botanical research.

Matt Swift

Matt Swift is the Journal Development Specialist for Botany & Arctic Science at Canadian Science Publishing.