Plant Science Student Spotlight: Travis Woods  

Spring 2021 – Plant science graduate student Travis Woods knows the value of a Fresno State degree, doubly so.

The Woodlake, CA native received his undergraduate plant health degree three years ago and gained equally important experience working as an intern at the Fresno research station for Bayer Crop Science, an international leader in biotechnology and crop protection products.

Learn more about his almond industry research with plant science faculty member Dr. Gurreet Brar as he finishes his master's degree this spring in this recent interview.

 

Q: Describe your graduate program research project.

Woods: “I'm looking at the effects of supplemental nitrogen and an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor on yield in almonds. The ethylene inhibitor allows for a higher nut set because it allows flowers to stay on the tree longer for more pollination opportunities. The supplemental nitrogen is to help mitigate fruit drop due to the higher fruit load. Nut trees are a large part of California's agriculture industry, and this project could allow for more yield efficiency per acre. ”

 

Q: What are some of the most important things you've learned from this research?

Woods: “Time management. It is very easy to underestimate how long data collection and analysis takes. Dr. Gurreet Brar also works to help me understand the why's of my research methodology and the physiological processes underlying what I'm collecting data for.”

 

Q: Talk about your work experience with Bayer Crop Science, and what jobs & tasks did you do generally?

Woods: “I had a summer internship, and they hired me full-time after the internship. I've been working there since then and working towards completing my master's degree concurrently. My main responsibilities revolve around irrigation of the crops. I schedule and carry out all irrigation throughout the year. I've been exposed to many different data collection methods, depending on the objectives of the experiments, and exposure to a wide variety of agriculturally important crops.”

 

Q: After graduation, what's your potential next career step, and how do you plan to use your degree eventually?

Woods: “I hope to work as an agronomist after graduating. This research has laid the foundation for scientific discovery that I will need as an agronomist.”