Early-career plant scientists attend ASTA conference

Early career scientists from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences were hosted to a recent conference where they networked with industry professionals and attended educational sessions.

Fifty undergrads, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from across campus attended portions of the 63rd Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference, an event of the American Seed Trade Association held in Monterey, Calif., in late January.

 “I was able to see first-hand the collaboration and synergy that can be created between academy and industry.” said Maria de la Paz Fraile Reyes, a graduate student in the lab of Imtiyaz Khanday.

Students had the opportunity to speak with industry representatives and professionals, discovering the ins and outs of the industry while making connections with leading companies.

“I learned about emerging genetics, regulations and new technology used by seed companies around the world,” said Kianna Benitez, an undergraduate sponsored by Allen Van Deynze, director of the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center. “It was wonderful being able to talk and pick the brains of top professionals in the industry.”

“It was amazing to hear more about a unique career pathway and gain connections with many interesting companies!” added undergraduate Breanna Pool, who is majoring in environmental horticulture.

Fraile Reyes had worked more than seven years for a seed company in Mexico before starting here on a master's degree in horticulture and agronomy. She called the conference “an invaluable experience” as she pursues a career in the American seed industry.

Their attendance was arranged by Seed Central, a partnership between UC Davis and the seed and agricultural biotechnology industry, said Seed Central Managing Director Francois Korn. Seed Central and industry partners including American Takii, Bayer Vegetable Seeds, East-West Seed, HM.Clause, KraftHeinz, Sakata Seed America, Syngenta Vegetable Seeds and Vilmorin-Mikado sponsored many graduate students at the conference.

Undergraduate students were sponsored by Seed Central and the Seed Biotechnology Center.

"Every January, the ASTA Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference is a great place to learn about the industry and the many rewarding employment opportunities it offers, and to establish personal connections with companies around the world that are looking to recruit UC Davis graduates," Korn said.

Learn more about Seed Central here.