Nelson lab: As a plant scientist, I aspire to successfully navigate the bridge between the research lab and the market. I am equally motivated to understand the mechanisms underlying the natural world and to answer the challenges of presenting our food system with innovative products. The rising food demands of our global population, combined with the abiotic and biotic stresses inherent to large-scale agriculture, are only compounded by the effects of climate change. The best answers to these multifaceted challenges lie at the intersection of disciplines within life sciences and engineering. Plants3D will facilitate this collaboration toward the development of much-needed solutions. I hope to gain insight into the applications of synthetic biology, entrepreneurship, and production logistics.