News

By Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree

This article appeared in the Jacksonville Journal-Courier on Jan. 29, 2022.

Illinois College has an international reputation for its work with orchids, and it's continuing to grow — thanks to a visit from a specialist from India.

Promila Pathak is chair of the Botany Department at Punjab University in Chandigarh, India, and editor of The Journal of the Orchid Society of India. She is visiting IC to learn about the work being done at the school and to share some of her own experience.

"This has been a pleasure," Pathak said Friday. "It's been my pleasure being able to interact with the students and professors, sharing my experiences with them."

Pathak works in India's only lab exclusively dedicated to orchids, which have been her focus since 1985. 

There has been a lot of work done in studying the properties of orchids, their uses, how to make various species more viable and how to help species pull back from the brink of extinction, she said. 

"This is my passion," Pathak said. "If we shake hands, if experts from all countries can collaborate, we would be really successful." 

During her visit she spoke with students about her experiences and research. She said she was happy with the students' questions and responses to what she had to say. 

Brent Chandler, an associate professor of chemistry at Illinois College who has worked on the college's Orchid Recovery Program, aimed at studying, preserving and protecting orchids — particularly the ghost orchid — said working with Pathak and having her visit has been a great experience. 

"At Illinois College, one of the most important aspects of educating our students about science is that science is accomplished by going out into the world and learning, and seeing it," Chandler said. "It's a real blessing to have someone of her background and status to come here and share her experience and knowledge with our students."

Pathak recently was recognized for her contributions to orchid research by having an orchid named after her. The Phalaenopsis Promila Pathak White has been registered with the Royal Horticultural Society in London. 

"It was a great honor," Pathak said. 

Lawrence Zettler, an IC biology professor, said both he and the students already have learned so much from Pathak's visit and forming a longer partnership will only benefit the orchid program. 

"She is an expert and I have learned so much in just two days," Zettler said. "It's very exciting and humbling."

Chandler and Zettler are working on national efforts to get the ghost orchid, which is close to extinction, placed on the federal protection list of endangered species.

Chandler said Pathak's visit hopefully is the first of many and Illinois College and Pathak's lab can form a new partnership in the future. 

"We are going to visit and see the native orchids there (in India), what technology they use, how they study orchids," Chandler said. 

It will open up new opportunities for IC students. Zettler said. 

Illinois College already offers many overseas learning opportunities and Zettler hopes this will become a new one, he said.

"The main thing will be how it will benefit our students and open the door to India," Zettler said. "This has opened another door. We are already talking about a trip there in the future."