Two undergraduates in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences – Khushi Chawda and Deysi Alvaro Ceja – have been named to the Borlaug Scholars class of 2024. The National Association of Plant Breeders’ Borlaug scholarships pair students with an NAPB mentor.
Richard Michelmore, UC Davis molecular biologist and founder of the Genome Center, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his work on plant disease resistance and COVID-19 testing. His research advances crop resilience and genomics.
Doctoral student Maria Rottersman joins a national fellowship this year that helps early-career scientists pursue their research and develop their careers in food science and agriculture.
A new method using firmness measurements helps growers pick plums at peak ripeness, improving flavor and reducing postharvest damage. UC Davis expert Carlos Crisosto’s research offers guidelines for better fruit quality and consumer satisfaction.
Five UC Davis plant sciences faculty members—Gail Taylor, Amelie Gaudin, Giulia Marino, Li Tian, and Leslie Roche—now hold endowed chairs, a first for the department. These appointments support research in agroecology, tree genetics, nutrition, and rangelands.
A UC Davis-led project in Nepal will test new food storage and packaging to reduce spoilage, boost farmer income, and improve nutrition. The $876K effort aims to expand food access and safety in rural communities.
Ph.D. candidate Deniz Inci was named Weed Science Society of America’s graduate student of the month for his work on sustainable weed control in California rice. He aims to help farmers tackle herbicide-resistant weeds.
Graduate students Erika Escalona and Valentina Roel won top poster awards at the California Plant and Soil Conference, highlighting UC Davis research on soil steaming and nitrogen alternatives in sustainable agriculture.
UC Davis plant scientist Grey Monroe won a $1M NSF CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to study how plants protect key genes from harmful mutations. His work could boost gene editing and crop resilience and involve underrepresented high school students.
Rangeland scientist Leslie Roche was named the Rustici Endowed Specialist in Rangeland Watershed Science, helping California ranchers address climate, water, and land-use challenges through collaborative research.
