Wenbo Ma
The Sainsbury Laboratory, United Kingdom
View Statement
IS-MPMI has been a cornerstone of my journey as a scientist and leader, from attending my first Congress in 2005 (Mérida, Mexico), to serving as an MPMI editor (2016–2019), co-organizing travel awardee workshops (Portland 2016, Glasgow 2019), and now serving on the IS-MPMI Board of Directors since 2023.
Our Society’s vibrant, diverse, and collaborative community inspires me daily. If elected as the next IS-MPMI President, I would champion excellence in research, open science, and the development of a new generation of diverse leaders while embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into every facet of our Society, ensuring IS-MPMI remains a beacon for plant-microbe interactions research worldwide.
Priorities for the Society
If elected, my priorities will focus on three pillars critical to our society’s growth:
1. Empower early-career researchers to sustain our community’s vitality.
Mentorship is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I would not be where I am today without the generous guidance of mentors who shaped my scientific journey and leadership path. Now, I am deeply committed to paying that support forward – whether through mentorship, advocacy, or creating opportunities for growth. IS-MPMI's resources and inclusive culture have been transformative for many, and I want to ensure every member feels that same sense of belonging and opportunity.
To advance these goals together, I would love to work with our community on:
- Launching an IS-MPMI Ambassador Program that would empower members to grow leadership skills and build strategic partnerships with regional societies. These collaborations could spark joint symposia, early-career exchanges, or shared resources - with Ambassadors helping maintain these valuable connections. The program might also organize activities like preprint review clubs, creating opportunities for early-career researchers to gain feedback, develop professional skills, and increase their visibility while supporting open science.
- Strengthening communication channels between leadership and members to better support the evolving needs of scientists at all career stages.
2. Support the MPMI journal and our membership to sustain impact.
Our journal is a cornerstone of IS-MPMI's scientific identity and a key contributor to our society's sustainability. To maintain its excellence, we must adapt to the evolving needs of authors and readers, particularly early-career researchers. Initiatives like preprint clubs not only build confidence and expertise but also improve manuscript quality and attract submissions to MPMI. With extensive editorial experience at various journals including MPMI, I will support our editorial team in innovating while preserving the journal’s rigor and inclusivity.
3. Foster a globally inclusive community
MPMI research thrives on collaboration across borders, disciplines, and identities, making our Society uniquely positioned to lead in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). As a woman in science who has navigated cultural and institutional barriers firsthand, I am deeply committed to ensuring IS-MPMI reflects these values at every level.
If elected, I will work with our community to:
- Create opportunities to amplify underrepresented voices by encouraging gender and geographic balance in leadership roles, speaker lineups, and award nominations. When women and researchers from underrepresented groups see themselves represented in our Society's highest-impact spaces, it inspires the next generation of leaders.
- Develop inclusive event formats featuring hybrid options, regional hubs, and financial assistance programs, helping ensure all members can participate regardless of geography, career stage, or available resources.
- Integrate EDI principles throughout Society operations, from committee appointments to mentorship programs, to cultivate an environment where every member has equitable opportunities to contribute and be recognized.
The Ambassador Program will further democratize engagement, linking IS-MPMI to local initiatives while addressing systemic barriers. Together, we can build a community that doesn’t just welcome diversity but actively champions it, because excellence in science depends on inclusivity.
A Global Perspective
Having grown up in China, trained in Canada (PhD and postdoc for 7 years), and worked in the US (14 years) and UK (5 years), I bring a multiregional perspective shaped by diverse scientific and cultural environments. These experiences, from navigating resource disparities to advocating for international and first-generation researchers, have honed my ability to bridge global divides and build inclusive teams. As a representative of both Asian and Western scientific communities, I understand the challenges of fostering equitable collaboration across regions. Throughout my career, I’ve actively supported women, early-career researchers, and those facing systemic barriers, many of whom now lead their own teams.
Science transforms lives not just through discoveries, but through the communities it builds. If elected as the next IS-MPMI President, I will bring energy, empathy, and strategic vision to expand IS-MPMI’s opportunities, representation, and global impact. It would be an honor to serve you.
