Position Title
In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus
1946-2025
CARLOS FRANCISCO QUIRÓS
Birth: March 17, 1946, Lima, Peru
Death: February 3, 2025, Davis, California
Education
- B.S., Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional Agrária, Lima, Peru, 1968
- M.S., University of New Hampshire, 1972
- Ph.D., Genetics, University of California, Davis, 1975
Employment
- Geneticist, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciónes Agrícolas, Mexico, 1976–1977
- Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
- Research Assistant, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Research Associate, International Plant Research Institute (IPRI), San Francisco, 1981–1983
- Professor, Department of Vegetable Crops, University of California, Davis, 1983–2011
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, 2011–2025
Honors, Awards, and Professional Societies
- Fulbright Senior Scholarship Award
- Editor of multiple scientific journals
- Member of international collaborations across Europe, South America, and Asia
Research Contributions and Impact
Carlos Quirós made significant contributions to the genetics and breeding of cool-season vegetables. His research focused on the structure, evolution, and comparative genomics of Brassica species, particularly broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and related crops. He investigated the genetic basis of glucosinolate production, advancing knowledge of phytonutrients important for human health. His breeding work included disease-resistant celery lines and the potato cultivar “Inca Gold.” He also contributed to the study and improvement of Andean root and tuber crops such as maca and mashua.
Publications and Scholarly Leadership
Quirós authored more than 90 publications with over 5,000 citations. His scholarship was widely recognized and respected in the international plant genetics community. He edited several journals, and his expertise in Brassica genomics and crop improvement influenced both academic research and agricultural practice.
Teaching and Mentorship
During nearly three decades at UC Davis, Quirós taught courses in vegetable genetics and breeding, as well as seminars on the history of genetics. He mentored numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom went on to successful careers in academia and the private sector. He was remembered as a friendly, supportive, and inspiring instructor.
Collaboration and Community
Quirós maintained strong global research collaborations, with sabbaticals and visiting professorships in France and ongoing partnerships across multiple continents. At UC Davis, he contributed to graduate groups in Genetics, Horticulture and Agronomy, and Plant Biology. Beyond research, he was committed to building community, supporting colleagues, and fostering international connections in plant science.
Legacy
Carlos Quirós leaves a lasting legacy as a pioneering plant geneticist whose work advanced the science of vegetable crop breeding and genomics. His leadership in Brassica genetics, celery improvement, and Andean crop research shaped agricultural practices and scientific understanding worldwide. Through his teaching, publications, and mentorship, he has influenced generations of scientists and made significant contributions to the global plant science community.
References
For additional tributes, interviews, and biographies, see the following resources: