From 3rd to 11th July 2025, CROPINNO team member Kimon Ionas (IFVCNS) took part in the interdisciplinary Summer School ‘Why Do We Study Plants?’ organized by Professor Serena Varotto at the University of Padova (UNIPD), Italy.

CROPINNO Participation in Summer School 'Why Do We Study Plants?' The program aimed to explore the fundamental question of why plants matter and their crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of our planet. Participants engaged in a rich scientific journey that combined lectures, field trips, and discussions.

Highlights of the Summer School:

  • Photosynthesis and the environment: sessions on photosynthetic mechanisms under different environmental conditions, biomass production, and thermodynamic perspectives of photosynthesis.
  • Field trip to Veneto and the Italian Alps: exploration of forest ecosystems with lectures on plant-water relations, natural disturbances, and invasive species, along with visits to historically significant sites.
  • Plant genetics and development: insights into developmental genetics, genomics, plant stress responses, reproductive biology, and rare species research.
  • Plant interactions: study of plant-microbe and plant-insect interactions, and their importance in ecosystem functioning.
  • Plants, agriculture, and society: topics on phytoremediation, sustainable food production, climate change, the European Green Deal, and other EU policies.

The Summer School concluded with a dynamic group discussion where participants reflected on their learnings and shared impressions of the program. This experience provided valuable knowledge, strengthened international collaboration, and highlighted the importance of plants in addressing global challenges.