Plant Science Student Spotlight: Yadira Garcia Hernandez

Senior plant science student Yadira Garcia Hernandez didn't have to look far for a great internship opportunity.

The Oaxaca, Mexico native was tapped to work in a campus research lab in the Jordan Agricultural Research Center for a project tied to Fusarium wilt disease in cotton plants. The 30,000-square foot facility on campus is an important way for our students to work with faculty and industry partners to study issues affecting growers and develop  and test new solutions.

Learn more how she has been inspired by her family's experience working with vegetable crops to a Fresno State degree this fall (and a possible master's degree path) in this Hispanic Heritage Month interview.

 

Q: Talk about your path to becoming a student at Fresno State, and why were you drawn towards your degree area?

Garcia Hernandez: "I was born and raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, and moved to the U.S. when I was 14 years old (then later graduated from Madera High School). I chose to attend Fresno State because of its great location in one of the most productive agricultural areas of the state. Furthermore, the program's reputation was another reason since it includes many hands-on experiences. I am drawn towards a plant science degree and minor in viticulture because of many reasons. The major one being the connection I feel to my homeland Mexico when working with plants and nature. Also the amount of jobs available in the area."    

 

Q: Which classes & faculty members have had the biggest influence on you while at Fresno State?

Garcia Hernandez: "Dr. Margaret Ellis has had a great influence on me as I have learned so much from her classes, and she continues to show me her support (through her cotton Fusarium wilt research project) and always answering my questions. I have also learned important information from my viticulture and plant science classes, which have influenced and helped prepare me for my future in the agriculture field." 

 

Q: Talk about any internships you've had while at Fresno State and how have they helped you on your career path?

Garcia Hernandez: "I am currently working on my first internship, which is at the Jordan Agriculture Research Center at Fresno State.  I am a lab assistant and work alongside the lab technician. I am learning basic plant pathology laboratory techniques and am helping with research projects in the lab. I am also assisting with research on Fursarium oxysporum f. sp. race 4 (FOV 4) in the plant pathlology lab. This internship has helped me gain experience in the research aspect of the field, which is the area I am interested in working after graduating. As I have been able to develop and assist in setting up greenhouse experiments, preparing media for culturing isolates, isolating and culturing Fusarium, and collecting data."

Q: Have you been involved with any other research on campus?

Garcia Hernandez: "Besides my internship, I was introduced to the research field in one of my viticulture classes where we conducted a project on managing canopy to cope with climate change."

 

Q: What was your background in agriculture before you started at Fresno State?

Garcia Hernandez: "I come from a place where people grow their own food like corn, beans, and many different kinds of vegetables. My parents and I have also worked in agriculture. We picked all different kinds of fruits and vegetables, which is one of the reasons why I decided to get into plant science."

 

Q: Have you overcome any challenges to get where you are today that have shaped who you are?

Garcia Hernandez: "Yes, I have overcome several obstacles. The most difficult challenge I have had, has been the language barrier. English being my second language was hard to grasp at first, which has made communicating difficult at times. As I continue my education my proficiency continues to improve."  

 

Q: Are there any other interesting notes about yourself?

Garcia Hernandez: "In my spare time, I enjoy listening to podcasts."

 

Q: What's your potential next career step, how would you like to use your degree eventually?

Garcia Hernandez: "I would like to continue working in agricultural research to help further my knowledge. My future plan is to come back and pursue my master's degree in plant science."