Utah PlantFest 2026: Full Schedule

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10:00am MDT

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This panel will allow attendees to ask questions to local science communicators. How do you communicate difficult topics? How can social media be used responsibly? What strategies help you connect with your audience?

Speakers

Sophia Andreadis

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Utah, Neurobiology Department

Third year PhD candidate at the University of Utah studying how hormone fluctuations impact behavior during and after peripheral infection. Interested in how inter-individual variation affects biology, science communication, and mentorship. Co-director of Utah Science on Tap.

Sarah Brockway

USCo Vice President, University of Utah

Zach Coury

Sierra Hastings

Communications Director, Sageland Collaborative

Allie White

Community Partners

Sageland Collaborative

Utah Science Communicators

Friday October 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Pinyon Pine

Panel

Audience Botanists
Subject Research

2:30pm MDT

Jobs with Plants Panel

LIMITED

Friday October 9, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT

Apache Plume

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn about jobs available in the world of plants with plant professionals with a wide range of experiences.

Speakers

Morgan S. Abbott

Consulting Botanist/Owner, Abbott Botanical Assessments, LLC

Interdisciplinary Consulting Botanist with over a decade of experience in semi-arid high elevation plant communities across the Western United States. I am an ISA Certified Arborist (TX-5091A), hold multiple certifications and publications in environmental hydrology.

Luiza Maria Aparecido

Assistant Professor, University of Utah

As an Assistant Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah and leader of the Aparecido Lab, my research is focused on plant ecophysiology, ecosystem ecology, and global change on natural and urban systems. My work specifically examines how plants adapt... Read More →

Matt Wang

Conservation Program Manager, Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

I have a BS in Botany from UVU and an MS in Plant Biology and Conservation from Northwestern University. I have worked for the NPS, BLM, and 3 different botanic gardens (Red Butte, Santa Barbara and Chicago). I'm currently the conservation program manager at Red Butte Garden. My current... Read More →

Friday October 9, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm MDT
Apache Plume

Panel