GES Center Lectures, NC State University

Nov. 18, 2025 GES Colloquium Building Local Capacity for Innovative Mosquito Control: Lessons from SIT and Nanotechnology Research ZOOM ONLY | Dr. Hamidou Maïga will share insights on how innovative mosquito control, including Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and nanotechnology, is being used to combat vector-borne diseases. Innovative and sustainable mosquito control approaches are urgently needed to address the growing challenge of vector-borne diseases in Africa. This presentation will showcase efforts to build local capacity for the development and implementation of advanced technologies, focusing on the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and nanotechnology-based interventions. Drawing from ongoing research worldwide, we will discuss the optimization of mosquito mass-rearing, irradiation, and release systems to enhance the efficiency of SIT programs. In parallel, we will highlight promising findings from studies on chemically and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles, which demonstrated strong larvicidal activity against both susceptible and insecticide-resistant strains of Anopheles coluzzii. These results underline the potential of nanotechnology as an eco-friendly and effective complement to traditional control tools. The presentation will also address challenges in developing nanotechnology-based approaches as a potential tool to reduce the burden of mosquito-borne diseases across Africa. Related links: Blog: Governing Emerging Technologies: A Lesson from Burkina Faso , Nourou Barry and Katie Barnhill, 9/5/25 Download seminar poster Hamidou Maïga, PhD Medical Entomologist at the Institute de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante, Direction Regionale de l’Ouest (IRSS-DRO), Burkina Faso | LinkedIn | Google Scholar | X Dr. Hamidou Maïga is a medical entomologist whose research focuses on innovative mosquito control strategies to combat vector-borne diseases. He specializes in the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), contributing to the development and optimization of mosquito mass-rearing, irradiation, and release systems to enhance the effectiveness of SIT-based programs. Dr. Maïga has also initiated pioneering work on the application of nanotechnology in mosquito control, exploring eco-friendly, plant-based nanoparticle formulations as sustainable alternatives to conventional insecticides. His broader research aims to strengthen local scientific capacity and promote environmentally sound, genetics- and plant-based approaches to vector management across Africa __ Recorded from NC State’s GES Colloquium, this podcast examines how biotechnologies take shape in the world: microbiome engineering in built environments, gene editing and gene drives, forest and agricultural genomics, data governance and equity, risk and regulation, sci-art, and public engagement in practice. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Produced by Patti Mulligan, Communications Director, GES Center, NC State Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

A GIFT SEED: Accelerated Genetic Improvement of Fir Through Sequencing, Economics, Extension & Diagnostics NC State's Justin Whitehill explores how cutting-edge research on fir genetics is helping Christmas tree growers tackle pests, pathogens, and climate challenges while strengthening a $2.5B industry. A GIFT SEED is a newly funded USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant focused on accelerating genetic improvement of the most popular Fir (Abies spp.) Christmas tree species in North America. Fir account for 66%+ of the annual $2.5 billion US Christmas tree industry. The environmental impact of real versus artificial trees show a locally grown Christmas tree is the more sustainable choice as it can sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Optimization of Christmas tree farms as greenhouse gas sinks has potential to become a net-positive climate activity through incentivization of carbon offset programs. Planting genetically improved fir Christmas trees holds significant promise for the US Christmas tree industry to combat climate change and provide added value to farmers. Across the US, Christmas tree planting stock is derived from germplasm of unknown genetic origin. Therefore, the genetic value of extant planted materials cannot be determined using traditional tree breeding strategies. To address this concern, North Carolina has established a state-funded breeding program dedicated to genetic improvement of Fraser fir. The A GIFT SEED project aims is to extend genetic improvement capabilities, accelerate the domestication process, and deliver increased value to the US Christmas tree industry through a transdisciplinary, systems-based approach. The project is currently underway and expected to be completed in 2029. The project team is currently looking to hire undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and technical support to assist with the project. Here we present on the current state of Christmas tree genetics and genomic research activities with a focus on pest and pathogen resistance and development of tissue culture systems for evaluation of gene function in conifers. Related links: Transcriptome features of stone cell development in weevil-resistant and susceptible Sitka spruce, Whitehill et al., New Phytologist, 2023 Download seminar poster Dr. Justin Whitehill, PhD Assistant Professor/Christmas Tree Genetics Program Director at North Carolina State University | Profile | LinkedIn Dr. Justin G. A. Whitehill is an assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University. He leads the Christmas Tree Genetics program and co-Directs the Forest Biotechnology Group. He and his team are working to develop pest and pathogen resilient Christmas trees through genetic and genomic approaches. He also holds an appointment in the Genetics Faculty at NCSU. Dr. Whitehill’s research lab at NC State consists of six graduate students, two postdoctoral fellows, three research associates, one lab/project manager, and multiple undergraduate research assistants. He is a Goodnight Early Career Innovator and the project director for a $7.42 million USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative project aiming to bring genetic and genomic tools to the US Christmas tree industry. Ongoing research projects in the Whitehill lab focus on integrating traditional genetic improvement methods with advanced genomic sequencing technologies to accelerate conifer tree breeding programs. His team is tackling the most pressing issues facing Christmas tree production in the US including mortality induced by Phytophthora root rot disease, elongate hemlock scale, and browsing deer. Additionally, tissue culture techniques for elite Christmas tree germplasm are being developed to evaluate gene function and provide improved genetics more quickly to Christmas tree growers. __ Recorded from NC State’s GES Colloquium, this podcast examines how biotechnologies take shape in the world: microbiome engineering in built environments, gene editing and gene drives, forest and agricultural genomics, data governance and equity, risk and regulation, sci-art, and public engagement in practice. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Produced by Patti Mulligan, Communications Director, GES Center, NC State Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Oct. 7, 2025 American Farming Culture and the History of Technology: Social and Cultural Considerations Surrounding Biotechnology in Rural Settings Dr. Brinkman presents his recently published book, contending that farmers in the American Midwest embed social and cultural meanings in technology through performative use that impacts agricultural modernization, policy debates around genetically modified organisms, as well as how rural people interact with new technologies, including biotechnology. Presenting a history of agriculture in the American Corn Belt, Dr. Brinkman argues that modernization occurred not only for economic reasons but also because of how farmers use technology as a part of their identity and culture. Histories of agriculture often fail to give agency to farmers in bringing about change and ignore how people embed technology with social meaning. This book, however, shows how farmers use technology to express their identities in unspoken ways and provides a framework for bridging the current rural-urban divide by presenting a fresh perspective on rural cultural practices. Focusing on German and Jeffersonian farmers in the 18th century and Corn Belt producers in the 1920s, the Cold War, and the recent period of globalization, this lecture traces how farmers formed their own versions of rural modernity. Rural people use technology to contest urban modernity and debunk yokel stereotypes, and women specifically employed technology to resist urban gender conceptions. This discussion shows how this performance of rural identity through technological use impacts a variety of current policy issues and business interests surrounding contemporary agriculture, from the controversy over genetically modified organisms and hog confinement facilities to the growth of wind energy and precision technologies. Inspired by the author’s own experience on his family’s farm, this lecture provides a novel and important approach to understanding how farmers’ culture has changed over time, and why machinery is such a potent part of their identity. This lecture will be of great interest to students and scholars of agricultural history, technology, and policy, rural studies, the history of science and technology, and the history of farming culture in the USA. Related links: American Farming Culture and the History of Technology, Brinkman, 2024 joshuabrinkman.com Joshua Brinkman on American Farming Culture and the History of Technology, Peoples & Things podcast, 2025 Download seminar poster Joshua Brinkman, PhD Assistant Teaching Professor at North Carolina State University | Profile Dr. Joshua Brinkman is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) at North Carolina State University. He is a historian of technology and an STS scholar who focuses on the relationship between technology use and identity, as well as the impact of science and technology on policy and the legal system. His research explores the meaning of technology in rural culture, the interplay between technology and race and gender, and the impact of social and cultural constructs on business, law, and policy in the U.S. As a former practicing attorney, he is also interested in energy and climate policy and has written papers bringing STS and humanities perspectives to environmental law. His work also critically studies food, society, and the environment, including modernity in American agriculture and its interaction with the organic foods movement. His work on agriculture was inspired, in part, by visiting and working on his family’s farm. In his spare time, he performs as a jazz and blues musician on saxophone and clarinet in the Raleigh-Durham area. __ Recorded from NC State’s GES Colloquium, this podcast examines how biotechnologies take shape in the world: microbiome engineering in built environments, gene editing and gene drives, forest and agricultural genomics, data governance and equity, risk and regulation, sci-art, and public engagement in practice. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Produced by Patti Mulligan, Communications Director, GES Center, NC State Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Sept. 2, 2025 - GES Colloquium | FALL SEMINAR SERIES Adapting the Responsible Innovation Framework for Gene Editing in African Agriculture Former GES Fellows join us to discuss whether the Responsible Innovation framework can support genome-edited agriculture in Africa, given governance challenges, international pressures, and food sovereignty priorities. The application of genome editing (GEd) in African agriculture is increasingly promoted as a response to urgent food security challenges, yet its broader social acceptance remains uncertain. The Responsible Innovation (RI) framework, developed largely in European contexts, emphasizes inclusive and anticipatory processes. This paper examines whether RI, in its current form, is applicable in Africa or whether significant adaptation is required to reflect local realities. Specifically, we assess whether the framework’s principles of anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion, and responsiveness can withstand the realities of Africa’s GEd agricultural contexts: the dominance of international funding, the outsized influence of foreign institutions, and institutional weaknesses in regulation that leave executive arms of government with disproportionate authority. We also examine the role of diverse stakeholders, including international investors, donors, and scientists, in shaping GEd trajectories in Africa, in relation to the positioning of local consumers. These reflections are further situated within urgent debates on food sovereignty and the responsibilities of African governments in providing governance guidance. While recognizing that RI is not intended as a tool for encouraging acceptance, we also consider whether its processes might nevertheless contribute to the legitimacy and social acceptability of GEd technology in Africa. Related links: How hunger drives conversations on agricultural technologies: an analysis of the rhetoric of pro-GMO advocates on selected Ghanaian media platforms, Gakpo et al., Journal of Science Communication, 2025 The evolution of media reportage on GMOs in Ghana following approval of first GM crop, Gakpo et al., _GM Crops & Food, _2024 Download seminar poster Ms. Emma Davies Contributing Editor at NC Sea Grant | Profile Emma Davies is a graduate student in the M.A. in Liberal Studies Program at NC State University. She holds a B.A. in Communication (specializing in journalism). Emma is an environmental and agricultural journalist with about six years of experience in the field. She is a winner of many journalism awards, including the 2025 Science Storytelling Showcase, 2024 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ)/Alltech Young Global Leader award, the 2022 Ghana Journalists Association Business/Economics Reporter of the Year, and Aquaculture Journalist of the Year awards. Emma is also an INFAS Food Systems Fellow. Her research lies at the intersection of science and communication, with a focus on translating complex scientific knowledge into accessible narratives that inform policy, enhance public understanding, and contribute to sustainable food systems. Joseph Opoku Gakpo, PhD CEO of HavAfric | Profile Joseph Opoku Gakpo, Ph.D., is an agricultural communications scholar and food systems policy analyst. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education & Human Sciences (Concentration in Extension) from North Carolina State University. He additionally holds an M.A. in Liberal Studies, an M.A. in Communication Studies, and a BSc. in Agricultural Biotechnology. He is a 2016 Global Leadership Fellow of Cornell University’s Alliance for Science Program and a 2020 AgBioFEWS Fellow. Joseph teaches communication methods in agriculture, and his academic research examines how humans interact with technology. Specifically, his interdisciplinary research explores strategies for communicating agricultural biotechnologies and mechanisms for trust building. As a food systems policy analyst, he analyzes and advises on policies that shape the governance of food in Africa. He is a big believer in the age-old saying that “if hunger was only a production problem, we would have solved it by now.” He thus conducts research and facilitates stakeholder engagements that promote integrated approaches to tackling Africa’s complex food system challenges. Currently, Gakpo serves as CEO of HavAfric – a start up that is pioneering a new, bottom-up model for the deployment of biotech crops in Africa, guided by the principles of Responsible Innovation. __ Recorded from NC State’s GES Colloquium, this podcast examines how biotechnologies take shape in the world: microbiome engineering in built environments, gene editing and gene drives, forest and agricultural genomics, data governance and equity, risk and regulation, sci-art, and public engagement in practice. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Produced by Patti Mulligan, Communications Director, GES Center, NC State Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

NSCEB Report: Charting the Future of Biotechnology Zoom Only | Final Colloquium of the semester! Dr. Anastasia Bodnar will present an overview of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology’s recently published report, outlining key recommendations to accelerate biotechnology in the United States. Download seminar flyer Charting the Future of Biotechnology, NSCEB Final Report, 2025. Anastasia Bodnar, PhD Senior Policy Advisor for the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) | LinkedIn Dr. Anastasia Bodnar has over 20 years of U.S. military and federal government experience in science policy and science communication, including in regulatory policy, risk management, and public health. She currently leads policy development on agriculture and biotechnology product regulation as a Senior Policy Advisor for the NSCEB. Previously, she held several roles at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including as the Biotechnology and Bioeconomy Coordinator for the Department. Anastasia began her career in the U.S. Army, focusing on public health and integrated pest management, and entered civilian service as a Presidential Management Fellow at the National Institutes of Health. She has a PhD in plant genetics with a minor in sustainable agriculture from Iowa State University and a BS in biology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Abstract While the United States is the home of modern biotechnology, our lead in research and development, innovation, and production of the most cutting-edge biotechnology breakthroughs is slipping. China is pulling ahead, and falling behind in this critical sector puts our economic, food, energy, infrastructure, and national security at risk. In its comprehensive report to Congress, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology assesses that time is running out to retain and cement our global leadership in biotechnology. We are falling behind fast, and catching back up won’t be an option. This report outlines an action plan to maintain our advantage in this critical domain, but only if we act now. The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill and Nourou Barry, and we’re featuring a mostly student-led seminar series. Students will be taking the lead in identifying, inviting, and hosting most of the speakers, providing a great opportunity for them to build their networks and grow as professionals. To support their efforts, we encourage you to join our in-person seminars, which will now take place in Withers 331. Your presence makes a big difference in creating a supportive environment for our students. Remember, we regularly post colloquium seminars as videos on Panopto and on our GES Lectures podcast, allowing you to revisit or catch up on these recordings at your convenience. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and LinkedIn for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Altering Traits and Fates of Wild Populations with Mendelian DNA Modifying Allele Sails: Possible Contexts and Modeling Considerations Zoom Only | How can we use genetics to manage wild populations, and how do the bioengineers working on these projects predict their impact? Download seminar flyer Johnson, M.L., Hay, B.A. & Maselko, M. Altering traits and fates of wild populations with Mendelian DNA sequence modifying Allele Sails. Nat Commun 15, 6665 (2024). Michelle Johnson Research Technician at Caltech | LinkedIn Michelle Johnson (he/him) is a research technician working with Dr. Bruce Hay at Caltech. The lab is interested in using genetic technologies to control the composition and fate of wild populations. Specifically, they work on designing and characterizing novel gene drive systems in different species. Michelle is a computational biologist and spends most of his time designing models, writing software, and describing the effect of novel gene drive systems on various populations. He is especially interested in how the inclusion and exclusion of certain model features can impact results. Michelle graduated from Harvey Mudd College with a BS in Mathematical & Computational Biology in 2023 and has worked with Bruce Hay since then. Abstract Population-scale genome modification can alter the composition or fate of wild populations. Synthetic gene drives provide one set of tools, but their use is complicated by scientific, regulatory, and social issues associated with transgene persistence and flow. We have proposed an alternative approach, called an Allele Sail. It consists of a genome editor (the Wind), which is inherited in a Mendelian fashion. This editor introduces DNA sequence edits (the Sail), which experiences an arithmetic, Super-Mendelian increase in frequency. Through modeling, we demonstrate this system’s ability to bring about both population modification and suppression. A relatively simple system, Allele Sails may prove useful since the spread and persistence of the transgenic component can be limited. We outline contexts where Allele Sails could be useful and briefly discuss the modeling field and perspectives on modeling for risk assessment. The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill and Nourou Barry, and we’re featuring a mostly student-led seminar series. Students will be taking the lead in identifying, inviting, and hosting most of the speakers, providing a great opportunity for them to build their networks and grow as professionals. To support their efforts, we encourage you to join our in-person seminars, which will now take place in Withers 331. Your presence makes a big difference in creating a supportive environment for our students. Remember, we regularly post colloquium seminars as videos on Panopto and on our GES Lectures podcast, allowing you to revisit or catch up on these recordings at your convenience. Please subscribe to the GES newsletter and LinkedIn for updates. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Is the Spirit of Asilomar Still Haunting Biotechnology? Withers 331 + Zoom | An overview and analysis of my experience at the 2025 The Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology Summit Download seminar flyer Katie Barnhill, PhD Associate Director of Programs and Engagement, GES Center, NC State University | Profile | LinkedIn Dr. Katie Barnhill is the Associate Director of Programs and Engagement for the Genetic Engineering and Society Center. As an interdisciplinary social scientist, Katie integrates experience and training in environmental science, policy, and governance with the critical tools of science, technology, and society studies. She uses these tools to organize, facilitate, and empirically study stakeholder engagement activities such as workshops to create justice-oriented and inclusive decision-making spaces about the potential use of biotechnology tools that may be released into shared environments. Abstract Since the 1975 Asilomar Conference, where experts gathered to discuss what to do about then-new production of recombinant DNA molecules, much ink has been spilled about the successes, failures, and disruptions (or not) of the summit itself. 50 years after the now-famous Asilomar Conference, science historians organized a follow up summit, providing “an opportunity to reconvene and look towards the future, [but] the summit’s aim [was] to grapple with the past — aware of its accomplishments, limitations, and failures — so as to better engage with the issues of the present.” So, how did it go? For this presentation, I will reflect on my experience at the summit as a participant and fundamentally pose the question, is the Spirit of Asilomar still haunting biotechnology? Related links: The Spirit of Asilomar and the Future of Biotechnology Summit The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill and Nourou Barry, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium meets weekly on Tuesdays from 12-1 pm via Zoom, with national/international guests joining us remotely, and local in-person guests every other week in Withers 331. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Precision Agriculture Withers 331 + Zoom | Download seminar flyer Lirong Xiang, PhD Assistant Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at NC State University | Profile | XR Lab Dr. Xiang is the Principal Investigator of the Automation and Robotics Lab in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University and affiliated with N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She received her Ph.D. degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from Iowa State University and her B.S. degree in Biosystems Engineering from Zhejiang University. Dr. Xiang works on agricultural robotics, 2D & 3D computer vision, and machine learning. During her Ph.D. program, she has developed robotic and automated systems for both indoor and in-field plant phenotyping applications. Abstract This presentation highlights the use of AI and robotics in precision agriculture, focusing on automated tomato disease phenotyping and downy mildew detection in cucurbits. By leveraging AI-driven image analysis and robotic systems, the approach enables early, accurate disease detection and targeted interventions, improving crop yield and sustainability. Related links: Zhang, Z., He, W., Wu, F., Quesada, L., & Xiang, L. (2024). Development of a bionic hexapod robot with adaptive gait and clearance for enhanced agricultural field scouting. Frontiers in Robotics and AI (2024) The Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Colloquium is a seminar series that brings in speakers to present and stimulate discussion on a variety of topics related to existing and proposed biotechnologies and their place within broader societal changes. GES Colloquium is jointly taught by Drs. Katie Barnhill and Nourou Barry, who you may contact with any class-specific questions. Colloquium meets weekly on Tuesdays from 12-1 pm via Zoom, with national/international guests joining us remotely, and local in-person guests every other week in Withers 331. Genetic Engineering and Society Center Colloquium Home | Zoom Registration | Watch Colloquium Videos | LinkedIn | Newsletter GES Center at NC State University—Integrating scientific knowledge & diverse public values in shaping the futures of biotechnology. Find out more at https://ges-center-lectures-ncsu.pinecast.co