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Dec 22, 2025
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Jinjin Song as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the research laboratory of OPGC Director Dr. Ma.
At the OPGC, Dr. Song’s current research centers on the genome assembly of Begonia grandis, contributing valuable genomic resources to support conservation, research, and breeding efforts for ornamental plants. Dr. Song joined Dr. Ma's laboratory in August 2025, and her work will continue through at least July 2026. We look forward to the insights and advancements her research will bring to the OPGC community.
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Nov 6, 2025
The Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) joined in the fun at WestFest, OSU’s West Campus Science and Sustainability Festival, held on October 25. The annual event invites guests of all ages to explore STEM-focused activities, tour research facilities, and learn how science shapes a sustainable future. At the OPGC booth, visitors got creative making pipe cleaner flower rings and flower bookmarks, while learning about the importance of preserving plant diversity.
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Sep 2, 2025
On August 27, 2025, the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) participated in the 2025 Breeder Showcase and Trials, hosted by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. This annual floriculture industry outreach event featured approximately 60,000 plants representing 700 varieties, offering a unique opportunity to highlight innovation and performance in ornamental plants. The OPGC hosted a table at the trade show, engaging with breeders, sponsors, and industry experts while sharing the Center’s mission and work in preserving plant diversity.
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Aug 18, 2025
On July 24, 2025, staff from the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) participated in a community outreach event at the Ohio State Fair, hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). The OPGC team welcomed hundreds of fairgoers to their interactive booth, where visitors of all ages took part in hands-on activities including creating pipe cleaner flower rings and floral-themed bookmarks.
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Jul 15, 2025
Graham Jackson is an undergraduate student at Michigan State University and is spending two months conducting research at The Ohio State University through the OSU Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP). Graham's study investigates the genetic basis of cold tolerance in OPGC Begonia grandis, a unique species in the typically tropical Begonia genus that can survive temperatures as low as –20°C.
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May 5, 2025
OPGC staff and students participated in the third annual "We Grow Scientists" community outreach event organized by the Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) on April 30, 2025. This event, part of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) week-long Science Festival, showcased the many STEM educational opportunities offered by CFAES.
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Apr 3, 2025
On March 25, 2025, students inrolled in Plant Propagation HCS 3320 at The Ohio State University toured the OPGC laboratory and greenhouses. Each student received hands-on training in sterile technique while subculturing a Pelargonium or Begonia accession, which they were able to take home.
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Feb 28, 2025
Thirty students from Dublin Coffman High School toured the OPGC on February 26. Students learned about many aspects of germplasm conservation including using bumblebees for seed production, seed cleaning and x-rays, tissue culture, and more! Students were given the opportunity to take and pot up cuttings of geraniums and begonias to take home and root, along with a gift bag including information about the germplasm system.
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Feb 11, 2025
Dr. Miao arrived in Ohio July 2024 and is spending one year at the OPGC researching how high temperatures affect the growth of Pelargonium and Viola. Dr. Miao is an Associate Professor at Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan City, in Shanxi Province, China.
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Jan 17, 2025
Matt began working as a Research Assistant at the OPGC in December 2024; he will be managing the greenhouse and tissue culture plant collections. Matt received his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in Environmental Policy and Decision Making, and previously worked at Franklin Park Conservatory, and as a propagation specialist at Millcreek Gardens.
