Forests are under many threats, from new pests and pathogens, to invasive trees, to climate. The advancement of these traits by far exceeds the natural response of trees to acclimate, and outpaces the efforts to traditionally breed trees for forest conservation and restoration. Dr. Ellen V. Crocker is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky. She talks about the current threats to forests including sudden oak death, chestnut blight and the emerald ash borer. She also discusses efforts in integrating new biotech tools in forest improvement, including genetic engineering, speed breeding, and gene drive approaches. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell). Learn more about Dr. Crocker and the Forest Health Research and Education Center at the University of Kentucky here. Forest Health Research and Education Center Facebook page here. # COLABRA Talking Biotech is brought to you by Colabra – an R&D platform that brings your lab’s world-changing research together in one shared space. Learn more at https://www.colabra.app/ # TALKING BIOTECH Twitter: https://twitter.com/talkingbiotech Website: https://www.colabra.app/podcasts/talking-biotech/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colabrahq The Talking Biotech podcast is distinct from Dr. Kevin Folta's teaching and research roles at the University of Florida. The views expressed on the show are those of Dr. Folta and his guests, and do not reflect the opinions of the university or Colabra.