Tamia Gualan: Connecting Nature, Science, and Community, the Inspiring Journey of an Amazonian Woman in Organic Agriculture
Tamia found the opportunity to combine her passion for natural sciences with her desire to work with rural communities.
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Women in agricultural sciences are telling their stories and breaking misconceptions of ag science as a career.
Women, referring to individuals who identify with womanhood, continue to be underrepresented in the agricultural sciences. Our platform aims to create a supportive community to inspire and connect women by sharing their stories and experiences in agricultural sciences. Additionally, we seek to educate the general public about the significance of women's representation in this field and the importance of agricultural sciences overall.
Our interviews offer detailed story of the career of a woman in ag science. Each interviews highlights their professional and personal growth, offering insight and wisdom.
Our mini-profiles are self-submitted stories showcase various women in ag sciences in a shorter format, meant to capture their work and passion for what they do.
Jun 4
Meet Dr. Melissa Muñoz, Postdoctoral Researcher in Phytopathology
Enjoying the process and flourishing in her profession, Melissa develops high-impact solutions for farmers.
May 14
The Revolution of Achik: A Kichwa Woman and her Impact on Healthy Eating through Ancestral Knowledge
Achik Zaruma, a Mindalae woman and educator, deeply connects with the land and ancestral agricultural knowledge.
Mar 25
Meet Janeth Bonilla Andrade, Agricultural Engineer and Co-founder of the Kichwa Institute of Science, Technology, and Humanities-KISTH
Committed to agriculture and education, Janeth embodies her vision of merging science, technology, and ancestral knowledge.
Feb 27
Meet Courtney Meeks, Plant Pathology Ph.D. Student
Driven and compassionate, Courtney is working towards her vision where plant pathology and the welfare of farmers go hand in hand.
Dec 6, 2023
Meet Dr. Leslie Holland, Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology
Starting with a proactive and transparent mentorship approach, Leslie established a lab that bridges the gap between research and growers.
Oct 2, 2023
Meet Dr. Marietta Marcano, Systems Optimization Engineer at Bayer Crop Science
Adapting to adversity, Marietta develops solutions to agricultural challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Mar 21, 2023
Meet Dr. Tina Wu, University Relations Coordinator with MANRRS
Enthusiastic and engaged, Tina works to support underrepresented groups in the agricultural sciences through outreach and education.
Dec 1, 2021
Meet Dr. Martha Malapi, Branch Chief at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Profoundly motivated to reduce hunger, Dr. Malapi is paving her career working on national aspects of food security and helping in the...
Nov 3, 2021
Meet Dr. Taylor Pini, Faculty Lecturer in Veterinary Reproduction
Science discovery and generating new knowledge drives her to pave the road for cracking how to improve artificial insemination in sheep....
Oct 10, 2021
Meet Marivier Rojas Lopez, Agronomic Research Specialist at Bayer Crop Science
With her progressive and ambitious attitude, Marivier Rojas takes leadership initiatives as a scientist and as an educator. Agronomist...
Sep 21, 2021
Meet Helena Jaramillo Mesa, Plant Pathology Ph.D. Student
Strong and determined, Helena is paving her path as a plant pathologist one virus at a time. Helena Jaramillo Mesa is a Colombian...
Jul 13, 2021
Meet Daniela Orjuela-Díaz, Soil Sciences M.Sc. and incoming PhD student
Passionate and persistent, Daniela works closely with farmers and their needs in the field to make her research work useful and...
Jun 2, 2021
Meet Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Soil Science Professor
From soil to social justice, Dr. AA Berhe is an advocate of soil health, anti-racism and equity.
May 19, 2021
Meet Katherine Rivera-Zuluaga, Plant Pathology Ph.D. Student
With sheer tenacity and contagious excitement, Katherine transmits her passion for science and self-empowerment.
Apr 23, 2021
Meet Dr. Paige Castellanos, Gender & Agriculture Assistant Research Professor
Whatever the future holds for Dr. Paige, one thing is clear: she will keep working with marginalized agricultural communities and...
Mar 24, 2021
Meet Dr. Emma Hernández-Sanabria, Microbial Ecologist
From uncertainty to adventure, from macro to micro, from challenge to triumph, Emma's pursuit of science is nothing short of bold.
Feb 24, 2021
Meet Dr. Athena Ramos, Assistant Professor who focuses on Agricultural Health and Safety
Athena’s strong connection to the Latinx community has guided her to improve Latinx health and wellbeing.
Feb 8, 2021
Meet Dr. Xiaodan Gao, Assistant Professor of Soil Chemistry at the Shenyang Agricultural University
An eager poetry-loving soil advocate spreading the value of agriculture one lecture at a time.
Dec 8, 2020
Meet Dr. Verónica M. Negrón-Pérez, Assistant Researcher
Her tenacity has brought her to roam the road less traveled but it has also made her fearless to embark on the recurrent uncertainty.
Dec 3, 2020
Meet Dr. Erika Marín-Spiotta, Professor and Activist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Committed to creating a better scientific community by bringing together history, politics, sustainability, human rights, and ethics.
Nov 13, 2020
Meet Sol Rosado-Arroyo, Agronomist in the Private Sector and President of PRABIA
Multifaceted and with nothing to stop her, Sol has focused on how to bridge the knowledge gap between private industries and local farmers.
Nov 7, 2020
Meet Alana Bayne Hernandez, Meat Science Master’s Student
Charismatic, hard working and passionate for social issues, Alana uses science as a starting point to educate others.
Oct 27, 2020
Meet Dr. Rocío M. Rivera, Animal Science Associate Professor
Grit and passion define Rocío’s non-traditional journey through science that led her to research in the fields of animal reproduction and...
Oct 6, 2020
Meet Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago M.C., HTC, Founder of Agrochic.com and Agricultural Communicator
Plant lover and avid gardener, and determined to launch unheard voices into the public eye. Perla Sofía Curbelo Santiago, M.C., HTC is...
Sep 22, 2020
Meet Dr. Morgan Carter, Plant Pathologist
Dr. Carter’s innovative research and vision of Academia have led her through an ongoing path of collaboration and community outreach.
Sep 15, 2020
Meet Dr. Renée Rioux, Assistant Professor in Plant Pathology
Between academia and industry tracks, Dr. Renée Rioux excels as a scientist and an advocate for herself and others.
Aug 19, 2020
Meet Paola Martínez, Food Scientist
Paola is a food scientist on a mission to educating and connecting people to their food.
Aug 11, 2020
Meet Dorothy Wayson, APHIS National Policy Manager
Dorothy’s unconventional career path led her to serve and protect the U.S. wildlife and plants through policies and regulations. Dorothy...
Aug 4, 2020
Meet Dr. Cristina Chinchilla-Soto, Director of CICA and Agronomy Professor at the UCR
Dr. Chinchilla-Soto is a multifaceted agronomist that is centered on the importance of human relationships.
Jul 28, 2020
Meet Ellie Taagen, Plant Genetics Ph.D. Candidate
Focused, curious, and determined, Ellie seeks to apply her genetics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology skillset to crop improvement.
Jul 21, 2020
Meet Laura Andrea Cabrera, Plant Pathology Master’s Student
Visionary, dedicated and constantly growing, Laura Andrea Cabrera is approaching new frontiers by bringing nanotechnology into the plant...
Jul 7, 2020
Meet Stephanie Cosme-Reyes M.Sc., Research Laboratory Technician at the USDA-ARS TARS in Puerto Rico
An enthusiastic microbiologist who unexpectedly developed a passion for agriculture.
May 28, 2020
Meet Dr. María de Lourdes Lugo Torres, Weed Science Professor
A loyal and fearless fighter that has battled against stereotypes and injustice.
May 23, 2020
Meet Yazmin Rivera,Assistant Laboratory Director at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Dedicated to protect USA agriculture by developing and implementing advanced molecular methods to detect plant pathogens.
May 7, 2020
Meet Melinda Knuth, Horticulture Ph.D. Candidate
A flower-loving scientist determined to change the industry, one sign at a time.
Apr 30, 2020
Meet Shelly Pate, Plant Pathologist
A plant pathologist by heart, Shelly strives to educate about agriculture and to be a role model for future generations. Shelly Pate...
Apr 24, 2020
Meet Zoelie Rivera-Ocasio, Soil Science Research Associate
Hard-worker and determined, Zoelie Rivera-Ocasio excels as a creative soil science communicator.
Apr 15, 2020
Meet Renata Belisário, Plant Pathology Ph.D. Student
An accomplished and enthusiastic scientist, Renata is determined to make a difference in the world one step at a time.
Mar 31, 2020
Meet Dr. Carolina Mazo-Molina, Plant Pathology Researcher
Extending her research from the lab bench to the field, Dr. Mazo-Molina is an exceptional example of an integral and hard-working woman...
Mar 24, 2020
Meet Dr. Cecilia Monclova- Santana Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Empathetic, enthusiastic and passionate, Cecilia educates farmers and students to think outside the box!
Mar 19, 2020
Meet Dr. Hannah Waterhouse, Soil Science Post-Doctoral Researcher at UC Berkeley
Dr. Hannah Waterhouse excels as a scientist and as a health, minority representation, and self-acceptance advocate.
Mar 2, 2020
Meet Hanareia Ehau-Taumaunu, Plant Pathology Ph.D. Candidate
Māori and first-gen, Hanareia is a microbial ecologist breaking the mold in ag science.
Feb 20, 2020
Meet Dr. Kathleen Sexsmith, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology
From labor to immigration issues, Dr. Kathleen is finding solutions for more fair and just working conditions for farmworkers.
Feb 12, 2020
Meet Dr. Karen Vaughan, Soil Scientist and Creative Science Communicator
Scientist, mother, and equity advocate, Dr. Vaughan thrives as she raises awareness of soil science within and beyond academia.
Feb 4, 2020
Meet Karina Morales, Plant Breeding Ph.D. Student
From editing genomes to empowering women, Karina builds collaborative scientific communities from the inside of her campus and beyond.
Jan 30, 2020
Meet Jaclyn Wypler, Sociology Ph.D. candidate
Jaclyn strives towards improving the agricultural sector through creating inclusive and safe places for queer farmers. Jaclyn Wypler is a...
Nov 20, 2019
Meet Dr. Meagan Schipanski, Soil Science and Agroecology Professor
Mother, researcher, and educator, Dr.Meagan Schipanski, excels as an advocate for sustainable agriculture.
Nov 12, 2019
Meet Dr. Irene Grimberg, Associate Research Professor
Irene’s passion and devotion lies on empowering others and spreading the knowledge to a vast range of communities.
Nov 4, 2019
Meet Dr. Soledad Benítez-Ponce, Plant Pathology Assistant Professor
Soledad’s research focus, tenacity, and captivating motivation move the field of plant pathology to a newer and sustainable direction.
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