Advisors
Juan Zalapa and Natalia de Leon
Research Focus
Cranberry Genetics and Genomics Lab, USDA-ARS-VCRU
From
San Diego, CA
Where did you complete your undergraduate/master’s/PhD?
UCLA, B.S. Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (2018)
What is your research about and what is the impact? How does it relate to the horticulture industry, what is the goal?
Our team at USDA CGGL pursues projects that help in the selection, improvement, and production of cranberry plants and their fruit. The cranberry plant belongs to the Vaccinium genus, which also includes blueberry and lingonberry. The Vaccinium genus is a natural source of variation for fruit size, color, flavor, and plant architecture which makes interspecific hybridization between Vaccinium species very appealing to plant breeders. My projects in particular are about establishing wide hybrid populations of Vaccinium, to improve flavor and shelf stability in Vaccinium fruit. Wisconsin is the largest producer of cranberries in the USA and the world — making it a great place to study this plant, its hybrids, and their fruits!
Why did you choose UW-Madison? What is your favorite part of Madison?
The professor who taught my first course in plant development in undergrad had been a PhD student at UW-Madison. As I concluded a fellowship with the USDA Forest Service in Davis, CA, I looked to UW-Madison — which an advisor had recommended as an institution with a strong history in agricultural research.
What was the path you took to work in plant sciences? And then what advice would you give to your younger self to get into the field/career you are in today?
I grew up in the dense urban centers of Southern California, which are a far cry from the iconic green fields of Wisconsin. During college, I started asking serious questions about food production and the logistics of bringing fresh produce to urban centers. This is when I focused my attention on modern agriculture, and found research opportunities in plant research after graduation. The advice I would give my younger self is to “follow your own path”. It’s easy to get caught-up trying to emulate the success of other students. Eventually, I realized that the only way that anyone excels is by doing what they enjoy, and developing their unique talents over time. I enjoy collecting data and studying plant systems with careful analysis, but I also enjoy practicing horticulture as an art form. Being multi-dimensional is important to me, and plant breeding is a great mix of many things I enjoy.