Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso 's Avatar

Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso

@yoselin

Professor in Interdisciplinary Plant Science at University of Leeds, UK UKRI Future Leader Fellow Founder of Black in Plant Science network. EDI and plasmodesmata activist Cuban, mother and salsa dancer

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15.10.2023
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Latest posts by Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso @yoselin

Engineering bioinspired beta-glucan scaffolds with membrane interfaces for drug targeting and delivery - Engineering Biology For Biomedicine This project combines multidisciplinary approaches, bridging biology and soft polymer physics, to deliver new biocompatible synthetic systems as programmable environments for applications in drug deli...

Students out there, I have a PhD project cutting across biology, material science and biomedicine that requires a highly capable, diverse and brave applicant. if you think this is for you please Apply using the link below. All details in the website!!

Project: eb4bm.org/project/engi...

20.02.2026 09:52 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 20 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Centre for Plant Sciences

One as Head of Plant Science at Leeds
The new Plant Sciences page is now live and linked to from the FBS Research and Innovation homepage - interested in joining or collaborating? Learn about the research and opportunities by visiting this website! biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/plant-sciences

26.02.2026 12:52 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Home - Engineering Biology For Biomedicine Engineering Biology for Biomedicine A UKRI:BBSRC Centre for doctoral training Why EB4BM β€œ Our graduates bridge fundamental biological design principles with biomedical bottlenecks, delivering engineer...

Deadline for application closing soon March 9th! Join us on this PhD venture bridging plant biomaterial, cell biology and biomedicine. How to apply visit the website eb4bm.org and select our project eb4bm.org/project/engi...

26.02.2026 09:54 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Engineering bioinspired beta-glucan scaffolds with membrane interfaces for drug targeting and delivery - Engineering Biology For Biomedicine This project combines multidisciplinary approaches, bridging biology and soft polymer physics, to deliver new biocompatible synthetic systems as programmable environments for applications in drug deli...

Students out there, I have a PhD project cutting across biology, material science and biomedicine that requires a highly capable, diverse and brave applicant. if you think this is for you please Apply using the link below. All details in the website!!

Project: eb4bm.org/project/engi...

20.02.2026 09:52 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 20 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
The cover of Vol 77 | Issue 3 | 2026 of the Journal of Experimental Botany, Special Issue: Plasmodesmata: Current perspectives on plant intercellular
communication and signalling. Teal coloured banners border the top and bottom of the page and in the centre is an image of multicoloured Nicotiana benthamiana cells under a microscope. Fluorescent proteins (mTurquoise2, mEGFP, mCitrine, mScarlet-I) move between cells via plasmodesmata in the epidermis of N. benthamiana. (Image credit: Rory Greenhalgh, Jacob O. Brunkard.)

The cover of Vol 77 | Issue 3 | 2026 of the Journal of Experimental Botany, Special Issue: Plasmodesmata: Current perspectives on plant intercellular communication and signalling. Teal coloured banners border the top and bottom of the page and in the centre is an image of multicoloured Nicotiana benthamiana cells under a microscope. Fluorescent proteins (mTurquoise2, mEGFP, mCitrine, mScarlet-I) move between cells via plasmodesmata in the epidermis of N. benthamiana. (Image credit: Rory Greenhalgh, Jacob O. Brunkard.)

πŸ“£ Check out JXB's newest Special Issue πŸ“£
πŸ“œ Issue 3 of 2026 πŸ“œ

πŸ”¬ Plasmodesmata: Current perspectives on plant intercellular communication and signalling πŸ”¬

πŸ“˜ Guest edited by Jake Brunkard & Tessa Burch-Smith

πŸ”— academic.oup.com/jxb...

#JXBspecialissues #PlantScience πŸ§ͺ SEBiology

28.01.2026 17:10 πŸ‘ 24 πŸ” 14 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 1

Very proud to present, together with @plantteaching.bsky.social, Agnes Uhereczky, @yoselin.bsky.social, Sofie Goormachtig and @mehta-lab.com, our @jxbotany.bsky.social community resource paper on building a diverse and inclusive plant science community 🌱. academic.oup.com/jxb/advance-... (🧡 1/2)

09.02.2026 12:59 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 10 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

Good luck to all teams!

07.02.2026 16:38 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Happy New Year!! πŸŽ‰

We're pleased to be back with some exciting new opportunities which we will be sharing in the coming weeks.

We are again inviting host labs to share their projects for our 2026 BiPS Summer Studentships.

Head to our website for more details: buff.ly/g6vAJmM

08.01.2026 11:31 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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At Black in Plant Science celebrating excellence is one of main pillars. So if you would like to apply or nominate anyone, applications are now open. We are looking for Black Heritage Early Career Researchers, if this is you, or someone you know, then please don't hesitate to apply! buff.ly/RrP7DM9

14.01.2026 15:49 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 6 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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We are strongly encouraging projects in the area of Physics of Life, in alignment with our partnership with PoLNET. If your lab has a project in this area, we'd love for you to share your projects so that we can match the successful student with the right lab. Learn more: buff.ly/bE9djQK

20.01.2026 11:31 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Everyone’s a Seed - Celebration Event

We are happy to join our partners in inviting you to join them in celebrating amazing community poets from Leeds and Bradford and the publication of the Everyone’s a Seed poetry Anthology.

πŸ•‘10am
πŸ“SHINE Community Centre in Harehills

Register: buff.ly/ymA80wl

27.01.2026 11:31 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

It was inspiring to hear @yoselin.bsky.social talk about the Black in Plant Science network last night. I so agree about the importance of creating a sense of community and belonging, through networks and support, to grow self-confidence and bring the power of diversity to botany.

22.01.2026 08:40 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks @bsbibotany.bsky.social it was a pleasure to share with you all.

21.01.2026 21:08 πŸ‘ 12 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

As 2025 draws to a close, we look back on a year filled with its share of positives and challenges, a year that felt unbalanced at times. Now, it’s time to turn the page. Let’s welcome 2026 with open hearts, fresh hopes, and expectations that inspire us to grow, dream, and celebrate what lies ahead.

31.12.2025 08:48 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Merry Christmas everyone. My team and I went out to celebrate with my preferred game Shuffleboard. Although I lost :( #teambuilding #positiveculture

17.12.2025 19:44 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Group photo of ~80 people outside a concrete and glass building

Group photo of ~80 people outside a concrete and glass building

Photograph of a row of six people of African origin at a desk with attention focussed on an object to the right and out of view of the camera. Other faces in the background.

Photograph of a row of six people of African origin at a desk with attention focussed on an object to the right and out of view of the camera. Other faces in the background.

A photo of a white much with the words β€˜connect, celebrate, cultivate’ in black capital letters sitting on a white branded notepad with the Black in Plant Sciences logo in green and black. These objects are on a conference chair with similar chairs out of focus in the background.

A photo of a white much with the words β€˜connect, celebrate, cultivate’ in black capital letters sitting on a white branded notepad with the Black in Plant Sciences logo in green and black. These objects are on a conference chair with similar chairs out of focus in the background.

Last week we held the 2nd @blackinplantsci.bsky.social conference in Leeds, full of 🌱science, 🌸art, African crops, careers & mentorship and talent. Highlight was seeing the impacts of our Research Excellence Awards & Studentships. So proud to honour and promote the excellence in our community πŸ’“

29.10.2025 18:23 πŸ‘ 43 πŸ” 13 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

I am pleased to share this paper. A beautiful and useful collaboration between a group of researchers and lecturers who care about plant Science education.
Thank you to all that contributed!
Check it out! nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

30.10.2025 13:44 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 8 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Big shout to all authors, including @lizalvey.bsky.social @plantteaching.bsky.social @plantpollinator.bsky.social @spoel-lab.bsky.social
@discontinuedap.bsky.social
@yoselin.bsky.social
@katharinehubbard.bsky.social
@gomollonsara.bsky.social @gpsep.bsky.social @instmolplantsci.bsky.social

29.10.2025 09:09 πŸ‘ 13 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Strongly disagree, this assumes equal contribution and meaningful impact factor. Far from what science is but I think you know that.

28.10.2025 06:28 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Love it! I am soo lucky to belong to the amazing brotherhood and sisterhood that is @blackinplantsci.bsky.social

25.10.2025 13:18 πŸ‘ 11 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
T shirts ready

T shirts ready

It feels soo close!! Very excited to host the @blackinplantsci.bsky.social conference this Friday at Leeds.
Download the official program here blackinplantscience.org/bips-confere...

21.10.2025 10:19 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
BiPS Conference 2025 Registration – Black in Plant Science

About 10 tickets left. register today and be part of the @blackinplantsci.bsky.social community
Registration closes this week. blackinplantscience.org/bips-confere...

25.09.2025 16:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image The team

The team

The lab is celebrating double birthday today. Thanks to all team members for spending a bit of your Friday to share birthday celebrations. Go Team! #femalepower

23.09.2025 10:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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We are so honoured that we are hosting our second Black in Plant Science Conference which wouldn't be possible without our incredible sponsors:

@TheGatsbyFoundation
@SEB
@JohnInnesCentre
@UniversityofLeeds
@GrowMoreFoundation
@NewPhytologist
@ThePlantJournal
@BioImaging UK and @PhysicsofLife

17.09.2025 14:49 πŸ‘ 17 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ“’You have until this Sunday evening to register for the Black in Plant Science Conference 2025!

Join us for an unforgettable day of connection and celebration and hear from some of the leading plant enthusiasts from the UK and beyond.

Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1362997455...

22.09.2025 11:30 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I can't stress it more. This conference has been designed for us by us. Support @blackinplantsci.bsky.social conference at the University of Leeds funded by the SEB, Faculty of Biological Science at Leeds, the Grow More and New Phytologist foundations and Gastby. Join us on 24/10, details below.

16.09.2025 15:56 πŸ‘ 23 πŸ” 15 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1

Thank you for sharing our research funded by @ukri.org and shining a light to plant sciences! This is the work of a team and
collaboration spread across multiple disciplines

16.09.2025 19:24 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I can't stress it more. This conference has been designed for us by us. Support @blackinplantsci.bsky.social conference at the University of Leeds funded by the SEB, Faculty of Biological Science at Leeds, the Grow More and New Phytologist foundations and Gastby. Join us on 24/10, details below.

16.09.2025 15:56 πŸ‘ 23 πŸ” 15 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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πŸ“’Panel Announcement: The Journey of Plants through Black Botanist

Join us for an inspiring and educational panel exploring the profound connections between plants, people, and the powerful legacy of Black botanists throughout history and today.

Register here: buff.ly/D0t0mgb

16.09.2025 10:31 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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πŸ“’Speaker Announcement: Lisa-Dionne Morris
🧾Workshop: Working beyond academia, different routes

Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris is a distinguished UK-based Black female leader who is transforming the landscape of leadership, equity, and diversity in academia & beyond.

Learn more here: buff.ly/sFFQC8y

15.08.2025 14:49 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0