Melvin Oliver has recently retired and we would like to thank him for all the work, effort and help he provided as an Editor for Physiologia Plantarum (PPL) since 2004.
Mel got his basic education in London and Canada and finished his PhD in Plant Biochemistry in 1983. He did a postdoctoral fellow at Washington University in St Louis before becoming an assistant professor in 1985. Mel then joined USDA-ARS in 1990 and has spent almost 30 years in the roles of Plant Physiologist and Plant Geneticist in the agency. Throughout the years, he was the Research Leader for the Plant Genetics Research Unit in Columbia, Missouri, and has been a member of different councils or advisory boards. He has not only done editorial work for us, but for many other scientific journals as well. Over the years as a scientist, Mel has influenced and supported the development of plant sciences in several different ways: as a grant panel advisor, reviewer, collaborator, host for research stays, organizer of meetings and symposia, teacher and the supervisor of several young and motivated scientists, reaching from undergrad students, PhD students to Post Docs. He has tried to actively improve education, communication and working environments and all his efforts for the scientific community cannot possibly be described in just few sentences.
It has been a pleasure to work with him, efficient, helpful and motivated to do all he could from his side to make the workflow at the journal effective and to help authors improving their manuscript by positive and constructive comments. One of our recent Special Issues on Stress Combinations was co-organized by Melvin and in case you would like to have a look at what he was working on, feel free to visit his webpage or drop him an Email: https://bit.ly/35n5DOM
What were the three things you enjoyed the most throughout your career & why?
- Working with students and postdoctoral fellows. I enjoyed their enthusiasm and creativity that often fueled my own. I had the privilege of working with some outstanding and talented young people over my career and I learned from them as much as, hopefully, they did from me. I sincerely thank them all.
- In a similar theme, I work in a somewhat of a ‘niche’ area in plant stress biology and it is populated with some extraordinary and talented people, all of whom I have known and worked with at some point in time in my career. They have not only stimulated my science but have also enrichened my life through their friendship and support. New faces have appeared in the field of late, as it expands, and all have come in with that sense of belonging and collegiality and that has truly been a professional blessing and delight.
- I have had the privilege of participating in a great professional society, the American Society of Plant Biologists, working with some amazing colleagues and professional people to enhance plant biology not just in the U.S. but also globally: in particular, I had the privilege of taking part in the founding of the Global Plant Council with the full support and backing of ASPB. Working with the leadership of plant societies across the globe to improve communication and bring together a common purpose to improve the plant through the plant sciences was one of the most enjoyable and rewarding efforts that I have participated in.
What do you think is the biggest challenge to be a scientist these days compared to when you started your career?
The enormous growth of information and available data, it is hard to keep up with all that is going on in the rapid growth of the plant sciences and the data that is being generated. Making sense of it all and moving forward with practical and useful improvements to global agriculture and sustainability of the planet and our ecosystem is the only challenge that we all need to take on.
How do you see the future regarding journals and publishing?
I see the future as being completely digital and the development of AI-based search engines that will enable in the ‘digestion’ of the wealth of scientific information as a matter of course.
Do you have favorite hobbies that you pursue & what exactly is it about them that makes you happy?
Fishing, photography, and many other outdoor pursuits. Fishing has been a passion since I was a kid growing up on the outskirts of London – a great way to spend the day, take in the world, and get away from things. Photography is a natural fit, the technical aspects satisfy that part of me that loves pushing the limits of available technology and the creativity needed to produce a worthwhile and memorable image satisfies that part of me that fueled my love of exploration and hopefully my science.
What is a quality that you highly appreciate when interacting with colleagues & that maybe is often underestimated when working together with people in general?
Honesty. One can never collaborate, develop relationships or move forward in a field without honesty (which leads to integrity and respect).
Last but not least: is there anything you regret in your career?
That I did not do more with the opportunities I had.
Also, will you still participate on any conferences in 2020, so I could mention them in case someone would like to talk to you?
I will be at the Gordon Research Conference on Salt and Water Stress in Plants in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, May 31 to June 5