Four emerging scientists connected to the Department of Plant Sciences -- Forrest Li, Michele Nalle, Cree King and Jonathan Berlingeri -- have been named Borlaug Scholars for 2025 by the National Association for Plant Breeding.
The inaugural Global Food Systems Research Day, held Oct. 24 at UC Davis, underscored the role of scientists in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences in the effort to build sustainable agricultural and distribution systems providing nutritious and affordable food to people all over the world.
At a Kenya event, the African Orphan Crops Consortium planted a jackfruit tree to symbolize food security and peace. UC Davis' Allen Van Deynze and partners are breeding resilient orphan crops to help small farmers combat climate change and hunger.
UC Davis doctoral student Samjhana Khanal received a $50,000 Schlumberger Foundation grant for her research on disease-resistant lettuce using CRISPR. Her work aims to reduce crop losses and support sustainable agriculture, including in Nepal.
UC Davis’ SCOPE program develops new tomato, zinnia, wheat, and spinach varieties for small-scale organic farmers. Student breeders focus on traits like disease resistance, climate adaptation, and market appeal, collaborating with local growers.
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.
AI is transforming food systems from plant breeding to nutrition. At UC Davis, researchers use AI to improve crop resilience, optimize processing, and enhance dietary insights, making agriculture more efficient, sustainable, and data-driven.
Marie Klein, a Ph.D. student in plant sciences at UC Davis, was named a 2023 Borlaug Scholar for her work in poplar genetics and renewable jet fuel. The award offers career mentoring and supports her global research goals.
Doctoral student Marie Klein won best elevator talk at a national bioenergy meeting for her work on drought-tolerant poplars grown for jet fuel—part of a DOE effort to cut fossil fuels and greenhouse gases by 2050.
Top plant scientists from across Africa are undergoing training in gene editing for crops through the UC Davis African Plant Breeding Academy. The course, focusing on CRISPR technology, aims to enhance crop adaptation to climate change and improve nutrition.
