Lena Struwe

Lena Struwe, professor of botany in the School's departments of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources and Plant Biology and Pathology, made headlines around the world recently for her discovery of a new flower species, previously unknown to science.

Strychnos electri was encased intact in amber for some 15 million years when Struwe received the specimen from entomologist George Poinar of Oregon State University, who knew of Struwe's expertise in the genus Strychnos. After painstaking study, she determined that the samples did not belong to any of the known 200 species of Strychnos, and she went on to the name the new species Strychnos electri - electron being the Greek word for amber.

The discovery created worldwide buzz, in both scientific journals and the popular press. Struwe's finding was covered by publications as diverse as The New Yorker, the Christian Science Monitor, the Daily Mail (UK), the Irish Examiner, The Hindu (India), and the International Business Times, as well as CNN, Fox News, the BBC, and more. You can read the details in the Rutgers Today account by public relations specialist Ken Branson. (Photos by George Poinar and Susanne Ruemmele)

The 250th anniversary of the birth of Rutgers is being celebrated by Rutgers' New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station throughout the state of New Jersey. One way we're making news is through the "Rutgers 250: All-Star Varieties," which features many products developed specifically for the birthday celebration as well as other Rutgers-bred foods. The All-Star Varieties website spotlights many examples of famous Rutgers produce, including strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries; basils; fruit and ornamental trees; lettuce and asparagus; oysters; and, of course, tomatoes. Although not a food product, Rutgers renowned turfgrass also is part of the all-star lineup. Many of the All-Star Varieties are available for individual purchase via the website or retail outlets; others are sold only to commercial growers. Visit our website to learn more about our "all stars."

The spring 2016 issue of Explorations, the School's magazine for alumni and friends, is on the drawing board for publication in May 2016. If you have news that you would like to share with your fellow alumni, please send a note to Diana Orban Brown, orban@aesop.rutgers.edu before April 1.

March 2, 2016 - "Jazz at Rutgers 250," starting at 4:30 p.m., Essex Room, Paul Robeson Campus Center, Newark (see details)

March 7, 2017 - Big Ten Alumni Reception, 6 to 8 p.m., National Press Club, Washington, DC (details above)

March 10, 2016 - The Russell Nutrition Symposium on "U.S. Dietary Guidelines," 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rectangular Room of Neilson Dining Hall, G.H. Cook Campus (see details)

April 8, 2016 - Gaia Vince, award-winning journalist, "Adventures in the Anthropocene" talk, book-signing, and reception, 3 p.m., Room 101, Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health

April 12, 2016 - Alumnus, author and MacArthur Fellow Carl Safina, talk, book-signing, and reception on "Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel," 7 p.m., Room 101, Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health

April 27, 2016 - Alumnus Sonny Ramaswamy, director of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will give the annual Maramorosch Lecture at 11:30 a.m. in the Alampi Room of the Marine and Coastal Sciences building, 71 Dudley Rd., New Brunswick

April 30, 2016 - Ag Field Day at Rutgers Day - be sure to save the date!