irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $5.27MRESEARCH TOOLS & COMMUNICATIONS: BTI SCIENTISTS ADVANCE, COMMUNICATE, AND APPLY PLANT RESEARCH TOWARDS THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE. VIRTUALLY EVERY DAY, SCIENTISTS DISCOVER AND RECORD A STAGGERING AMOUNT OF NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE GENES, PROTEINS AND CHEMICALS THAT DIRECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CELLS. BTI RESEARCHERS ALSO ARE CONTINUALLY DEVELOPING NEW TECHNIQUES FOR LABORATORY RESEARCH. BTI SCIENTISTS ARE DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE AND DATABASES, ENABLING RESEARCHERS TO BETTER ORGANIZE, ACCESS AND RETRIEVE A WEALTH OF DATA, ISOLATE AND IDENTIFY SPECIFIC GENES CONTROLLING THE SPECIFIC LIFE PROCESSES AND IDENTIFY MOLECULES WITH POTENTIAL EVOLUTIONARY, BIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL IMPORTANCES. BTI SCIENTISTS ALSO DEVELOP NEW RESEARCH PROTOCOLS FOR TRANSFORMING PLANTS WITH GENES OF INTEREST TO DISCOVER THEIR FUNCTIONS.
- #2 $7KIMPROVED HUMAN HEALTH: INSTITUTE SCIENTISTS ADVANCE, COMMUNICATE, AND APPLY PLANT SCIENCE AND RELATED RESEARCH TOWARDS IMPROVED HUMAN HEALTH. CURRENT RESEARCH AT BTI MAY LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN DISEASES SUCH AS DIABETES, ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND AGING-RELATED DISEASES. BTI RESEARCHERS DEVELOP CELL LINES IN PLANTS AND INSECTS THAT CAN BE USED TO MANUFACTURE THERAPEUTICS, DIAGNOSTICS, AND VACCINES. INSTITUTE RESEARCH ALSO MAY LEAD TO MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS TO COMBAT VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES AND LESS PESTICIDE USE TO REDUCE HUMAN EXPOSURE TO HARMFUL CHEMICALS. BTI SCIENTISTS ALSO STUDY HOW PLANTS PRODUCE PHARMACEUTICALLY ACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND MAY LEAD TO NEW SOURCES OF NATURAL WAYS TO COMBAT CONDITIONS LIKE HEART DISEASE.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
BTI Incubator for Agricultural and Plant Biotech Startups
Provides lab space, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and scientific collaboration opportunities for early-stage startups in the agricultural and plant biotech sector.
Breedbase – Breeding Management Software
Open-source platform for breeding management, including field design, phenotypic data collection, genotypic data storage, and genomic selection analyses.
Crop Improvement
Develops technologies for increased resistance to bacterial pathogens, abiotic stress tolerance, improved yield, and prevention of disorders like blossom end rot in crops including tomato, eggplant, kiwi, corn, cotton, and potato.
Human & Animal Health
Researches small molecule compounds for therapeutic applications, including anti-parasitic agents and modular glucosides with potential for drug development.
Recombinant Protein Production
Utilizes proprietary insect cell lines like HighFive and Tnms42 for efficient recombinant protein expression, with applications in therapeutics and vaccines.
Translational Program and Licensing
Facilitates the commercialization of BTI research by protecting intellectual property, supporting startup formation, and licensing technologies in crop improvement, recombinant protein production, and human/animal health.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Smallholder Agricultural Development 2 activities
- Advances genomic understanding of non-model plant speciesGenerated chromosome-level genome assemblies for Salvinia fern species using long-read sequencing and Hi-C mapping. Sequenced 100 individuals of Salvinia molesta across U.S. populations, discovering it is a diploid hybrid—correcting prior misclassification—and published findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
- Develops biotechnologies and genetic solutions for crop improvementDevelops disease-resistant crop varieties and stress-tolerant traits in tomato, eggplant, kiwi, corn, and sugarcane using molecular and genomic approaches. Created technologies conferring resistance to bacterial speck, wilt, spot, and canker, as well as improved photosynthesis and abiotic stress recovery. Also developed a method to prevent blossom end rot in greenhouse tomatoes.
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Biomedical Research and Innovation 2 activities
- Conducts advanced plant science research to address global challengesPerforms premier research in plant science with applications to agriculture, food security, nutrition, biodiversity, resilience, productivity, and human health. Uses cutting-edge tools including CRISPR-Cas9, Nanopore sequencing, advanced imaging technologies, and computational modeling to study gene function, RNA modifications, plant stress responses, and cell wall biology.
- Develops biological tools and intellectual property for scientific and medical applicationsOwns the HighFive insect cell line used for recombinant protein production and has developed small-molecule compounds that control mammal-pathogenic nematodes (patented under US 9,487,551). These innovations support therapeutic, diagnostic, and vaccine development efforts.
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Research Facility Management 1 activity
- Operates large-scale plant growth infrastructure for researchManages a 25,000 square foot plant growth facility comprising 20 greenhouses and 38 growth chambers to support controlled-environment plant research.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Prepares graduate students for nonacademic science careersOffers a T-training program for graduate students focused on developing skills in networking, technology transfer, and science communication for career paths outside academia.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- Provides research training and educational experiences for students and educatorsOffers undergraduate and graduate research opportunities, summer internships for high school students, and professional development programs that connect teachers and students with BTI scientists for collaborative projects.
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
- Supports early-stage agricultural and plant biotech startupsProvides lab space, access to research facilities, and scientist mentorship to early-stage startups in agriculture and plant biotechnology.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Creates open-source software and data platforms for plant breeding and genomicsDeveloped Breedbase, a comprehensive software platform that supports breeding programs through field design, phenotypic and genotypic data management, and genomic selection analyses. Also develops databases, research protocols, and computational models to enable gene and molecule discovery.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$15.54M
Contributions & grants$13.11M84%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1.82M12%
Other revenue$614K
expenses
Total expenses$17.99M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$10.47M
Grants paid out$949K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$85.51M
Cash$3.70M
Investments$73.62M
Liabilities$9.38M
Net assets$76.13M
Liquid reserves51.6 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +21.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SILVIA RESTREPO | PRESIDENT | 40 | $395K |
| MARIA HARRISON | PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR | 40 | $297K |
| ZHANGJUN FEI | PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR | 40 | $262K |
| DAVID STERN | PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR | 40 | $222K |
| FRANK SCHROEDER | PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR | 40 | $212K |
| ERIC RICHARDS | PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR | 40 | $206K |
| RYAN HILDRETH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/TREASU | 40 | $159K |
| MEREDITH WILLIAMS | ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE/SECRET | 40 | $93K |
board members · 17
- BENJAMIN HOULTON — DIRECTOR
- BRIDGET KRIEGER — DIRECTOR
- CHARLES TRAUTMANN — DIRECTOR
- ERIC LYONS — DIRECTOR
- GREGORY GALVIN — CHAIR
- IAN GAZARD — DIRECTOR
- JOCELYN ROSE — DIRECTOR
- KATHERINE MCCOMAS — DIRECTOR
- LOURDES CASANOVA — DIRECTOR
- MARGARET SMITH — DIRECTOR
- MARK NELSON — DIRECTOR
- MARY LOU GUERINOT — DIRECTOR
- MELINDA OAKES — CO-VICE CHAIR
- OLIVER SCHULZE — DIRECTOR
- PAUL CHOMET — CHAIR
- PETER CORNELIUS — DIRECTOR
- ROBERTO CANIZARES — DIRECTOR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Ascribe Partner — Partner startup developing small compounds that promote plant growth and enhance plant immunity.
- Ascribe Bioscience Partner — Co-founded by former BTI faculty member Daniel Klessig and former BTI employee Murli Manohar.
- BTI researchers Partner — Collaborate with high school teachers and students in research projects through professional development programs.
- Carleton University Partner — International collaborator on research involving plant-fungal symbiosis and cell wall dynamics.
- Clarivate Government — Named BTI researchers to its Highly Cited Researchers list based on global citation impact.
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborates on plant science research and shares scientific resources and expertise.
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborates with BTI on research and shares a campus in Ithaca, NY.
- Cornell University Partner — Research collaboration and affiliation, as BTI is located on the Cornell University campus and maintains scientific partnerships with its faculty.
- CryoBio Partner — Partner startup developing a crop spray to protect against extreme frost.
- Department of Energy Funder — Provided funding for the plant stress response research
- Elsevier Government — Recognized BTI faculty in its global citation analysis of top 2% most cited scientists.
- Holoclara Partner — Partner startup focused on small compounds against autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
- National Science Foundation Funder — Funded the research through the NSF Plant Genome Research Program
- Nelson Lab Partner — Hosts and supports postdoctoral research on RNA modifications within the Boyce Thompson Institute.
- Pew Charitable Trusts Funder — Provides funding and support for postdoctoral research through the Pew Latin American Fellows Program.
- PrecizionIQ Partner — Alumnus-founded startup that leveraged scientific training and mentorship from BTI; advised by former BTI employees and faculty.
- Triad Foundation Funder — Provided funding support for the collaborative research project
- University of Arizona Partner — Collaborated on field phenotyping design and sorghum growth experiments in Arizona
- University of British Columbia Partner — International collaborator on research involving plant-fungal symbiosis and cell wall dynamics.
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna Partner — International collaborator on research involving plant-fungal symbiosis and cell wall dynamics.
- University of New Hampshire Partner — Collaborates with BTI on genomic research of invasive fern species.
- University of Pennsylvania Partner — Provided RNA modification expertise through Dr. Brian Gregory's lab
- ultinat Partner — Partner startup working on microencapsulation with biodegradable polymers using plant-based materials.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Curiosity- and Inquiry-Driven Scientific Discoverymethodology: curiosity-driven scienceBy supporting curiosity-driven research and inquiry-based learning, we cultivate long-term scientific advancement and workforce development, because open-ended exploration fosters innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and deeper engagement with science among students and researchers.
- Interdisciplinary and Integrated Research Ecosystemmethodology: interdisciplinary_researchBy co-locating specialized facilities and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we accelerate scientific innovation, because integrating diverse expertise and resources enables more effective problem-solving for complex agricultural and health challenges.
- Model Systems to Broad Applicationsmethodology: model-system-to-broad-applicationBy studying model plant systems, we develop tools and insights that are transferable across species, including humans, because conserved biological mechanisms allow discoveries in plants to inform biomedical and agricultural innovation.
- Plant Science as a Foundation for Global Challengesmethodology: plant-biology-for-global-challengesBy advancing plant science research, we address global challenges in agriculture, environmental resilience, and human health, because fundamental discoveries in plant biology generate broadly applicable knowledge and tools that transfer across species and systems.