Summary - Preparing Leaders of Sustainable Public Health Protection: International
Phytotechnologies Scholars Program - China 2019
We will train and inspire the next generation of professionals and academic researchers in
public health protection as part of the 16th Annual International Phytotechnologies Conference. We
plan to support student participation in the International Phytotechnologies Scholars Program to be
held 22-28 September 2019 in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. The conference is hosted by
the International Phytotechnology Society (IPS), that also develops and executes the PhytoScholars
Program. PhytoScholars is a unique student-oriented scholars program, with aims to:
1. Directly support student education in public health strategies for improving health,
environmental remediation and stewardship, targeting on urban health topics;
2. Increase student knowledge in public health protection and the broader roles of
phytotechnologies in risk assessment and the improvement of ecosystem functions;
3. Provide students with professional development opportunities and the chance to network with
international professionals in sustainable technologies for public health protection. A number
of the prior PhytoScholars are now professionals in the field and faculty members leading
research programs. Introducing students to the professional aspects and public health
protection have been career changing for many.
As part of this program, students will be supported to attend the conference by offering support
for partial coverage of travel and lodging fees for an expected 10 selected scholars. PhytoScholars
will be offered the opportunity to travel internationally, and will directly interact with international
leaders in public health protection to learn scientifically and grow professionally. All PhytoScholars
will be tasked to offer a presentation, meet professional leaders, offer specified feedback, and meet
learning objectives, which include not only scientific objectives but also cultural and professional
development objectives. All PhytoScholars’ presentations will be evaluated by a minimum of two
professional leaders, many listed below. The selection process will aim to invite applicants in groups
underrepresented in STEM fields. The selection committee, listed below, is a diverse group of
accomplished scholars that has interacted with past conferences and PhytoScholars programs. All
selection committee members will be invited to the conference to offer talks and engage with the
PhytoScholars.
Table 1. Selection committee for the 2019 PhytoScholars program.
Name and nationality Affiliation
Basis for participation on
selection committee
David Tsao (USA)
America’s Technology Manager,
British Petroleum IPS President
Barbara Zeeb (Canada)
Professor, Department of Chemistry
and Chemical Engineering, Royal
Military College IPS Executive Vice President
Om Parkash (USA)
Associate Professor, University of
Massachusetts - Amherst IPS Vice President
Liz Rylott (UK)
Senior Researcher, University of
York (UK) IPS Vice President
Elizabeth Nichols (USA)
Professor, North Carolina State
University IPS Secretary
Xiao E Yang (Zhejiang
University)
Professor of Plant Nutrition and
Environmental Ecology
Conference Chair and Host
Site Representative
Lena Ma (U Florida) Professor, Soil and Water Science,
Conference Vice Chair and
IPS member
Joel Burken (USA)
Professor, Missouri University of
Science and Technology
PhytoScholars PI and
Founder, IPS Board
