We thank our 2026 attendees for making this event a success!

Science & Spirits is an event where science was shared in a fun, accessible, and engaging way. It provided an excellent opportunity for students to present their research and discoveries to the Illini community.

Hosted by the Crop Sciences Graduate Student Organization, in partnership with the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences, the event took place on Thursday, April 16th, from 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM CT at the Illini Union.

This networking event brought together UIUC undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty in plant sciences, and industry representatives. Attendees connected, learned, and celebrated science through engaging presentations, meaningful conversations, and shared experiences.

Guests enjoyed an exciting evening of networking, research presentations, and complimentary food, with a cash bar available. We thank everyone who participated and helped make Science & Spirits a successful and memorable event.

Program

5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Check-in, Poster/Booth set up
5:30 PM – 5:45 PM: Opening remarks
5:45 PM – 6:45 PM: Poster session & Networking
6:45 PM – 7:45 PM: Break & Networking
7:45 PM – 8:30 PM: Lightning talks
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Closing remarks & Awards

Illini Union

Over

130 registrations

April 16, 2026
5 – 9:30 PM CT

Opening Remarks Speaker

Patrick J. Tranel

Patrick J. Tranel is a Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on plant protection, using molecular and genomic approaches to understand how agricultural weeds evolve in response to management practices. By uncovering the genetic and biological mechanisms underlying herbicide resistance, his work supports the development of more effective and sustainable weed management strategies for modern crop production.

Awards & Prizes Winners

The Poster and Lightning Talk Competition at the 2026 Science & Spirits event brought together participants from a wide range of fields to share their research through engaging posters and concise, three‑minute lightning talks. The competition highlighted both strong research and effective science communication.

The competition was an exciting part of the 2026 Science & Spirits event and provided a valuable platform for students to showcase their work, gain presentation experience, and engage with the broader Illini community.