The CRISPR-Cas9 bacterial immune system has revolutionized genetic engineering by enabling the precise editing for eukaryotic genomes. My research has been motivated by the idea of harnessing CRISPR’s ability to cleave specific DNA sequences as an immune system in plants. In order to do this, I worked on cassava, a root plant that forms a staple in tropical diets and feeds almost a billion people globally. Since cassava cultivation in Africa is severely curtailed by the impact of DNA viruses, this system served as an excellent test for using CRISPR for engineering virus resistance. In this talk I will describe our experiments as well experiments in other plants aimed to engineer a functional CRISPR system in plants. I will talk about our unexpected findings, how they impact future research in this arena, and the steps ahead. I will also discuss how my research shows the importance of good science communication when it comes to new technologies like CRISPR.