Congrats to Ickert-Bond labbers Channing Buckmaster and Cuyler Bleecker for receiving research awards from ASPT
Channing Buckmaster was recognized at Botany 2026 with the 2026 Undergraduate Research Prize by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists amsocplanttaxon, which recognizes exceptional, independent research in plant systematics conducted by undergraduate students. The research that Channing Buckmaster completed as part of her journey as a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, was filled with remarkable achievements at every stage of her studies, reflects a dedication to advancing knowledge of plants. Her undergraduate research focussed on the botanical legacy of Christine Heller (1907-1989), a nutritionist and botanist whose work in the mid-twentiest century documented Alaska’s edible and medicinal flora. Through careful archival and taxonomic investigation, Channing analyzed Heller’s botanical collections and publications, while examining how historical herbarium records intersect with ethnobotanical knowledge systems. A fascinating story emerged that included both a historical biography of Christine Heller, but in addition Channing also reviewed the literature surrounding the stewardship of Indigenous knowledge and their representation in museum collections. She published this work in the Journal of the Botanical Research Institute entitled ‘Christine Heller’s Legacy and the Potential for Integration of Traditional Knowledge and Biocultural Labels’. Congrats Channing!
M.S. student Cuyler Blecker was recognized with the 2026 Graduate Student Research Award by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists. His research proposal entitled ‘Tracing phylosymbiosis in liverworts: A global phylogenomic study of Gymnomitrion and its fungal associates ‘ was chosen for the W. Hardy Eshbaugh award. This year’s call from ASPT received 103 proposals and they funded 21 awards. Congrats Cuyler!
