Played a central role and supported the establishment of a new tomato breeding research station, including managing the site’s $1.6 million building budget and the identification & acquisition of required farming equipmentManaged and created multiple legal contracts, identified vendors, and researched bidsConducted and managed 800 tomato in-field trials in partnership with J&J Family of Farms and Florida AgMetricsMaintained, managed, and collected data on 250 potted greenhouse tomatoes at Florida AgMetrics through proper trellising, irrigation, thinning, scouting, cross pollinating, and harvestingParticipated regularly in team functions, technology seminars, and other forums to present on experimental plans and results Engaged actively in company cross-functional seed management initiative to establish protocols for the storage, shipping, and record-keeping of seed samplesEstablished safety, operational, and experimental trial/nursery protocols in collaboration with tomato breeder and consultantEnsured high quality execution of experimental protocols at the research station, including seed operations, planting, data collection, harvest, pollinating, and tissue samplingEstablished working relationships and collaborated with agricultural vendors in Florida (Transgrow, University of Florida GFREC, Florida AgMetrics) to successfully complete a fall tomato season from sowing seed to processing seedCollaborated with data scientists on analytics and generated data required to establish predictive capabilities in tomato for multiple trait targets

Implemented educational classes and hands-on workshops on pesticide training, pest management, and best management practices followed by surveying techniquesProvided diagnostic services to 190 Suwannee County producers through phone, email, office, and field consultationsEducated approximately 2,500 youth on crop production and farming basics with field days and hands-on workshops Managed multiple support staff and delegated tasks to achieve programmatic and research goalsSustained an agricultural co-advisory committee composed of 35 producers to guide programmatic effortsLed several agricultural field trial research grant projects of $10,000 or more affiliated with FDACS and other organizations Authored monthly blogs, newspaper articles, and quarterly newsletter articles on agricultural productionDeveloped educational infographics, displays, videos, and social media campaigns for YouTube, Facebook, and Google Suites to increase agricultural awareness adhering to a strict timeline and budgetAssisted co-workers in technology applications (email, Zoom, Canva, Adobe) by hands-on demonstrations Presented at 8 regional, state, and national conferences on grafted watermelon production and research updates, organic production transition, and crop production practices protecting honey bees Participated in two news interviews on grafting and COVID-19 grower impacts for VSC News and the Gainesville Sun

Assessed the cold tolerance of grafted watermelon with 9 different Cucurbita rootstocks to determine the feasibility of using grafted transplants for early planting and harvest to improve economic returnsExamined effects of grafting on fruit quality through in-field and in-lab analysisConducted 3 on-farm watermelon demonstration in North Florida assessing spacings for optimal crop performanceInstituted Zhao-lab specific protocols for producing grafted seedless watermelon transplants and quality analysesCollaborated with 8 lab members on research projects through production, management, and data collection on strawberry, leafy greens, and tomato

Accurately mixed, measured, and applied various chemicals to facilitate the collection of data on plant growthOperated large machinery that were utilized in crop production and application of herbicide on corn and soybeansAssisted in preparation of Genetically Modified Organism research plots according to USDA protocol Prepared 5 soybean fields for cyst research in northern Indiana and Illinois

Created professional programs for education of residents through promoting diversity, interpersonal interactions, and skill development Developed time management, budget management of $350 for programs, conflict mediation/resolution, and leadership skillsExecuted and developed leadership training for 330 residents through programming, educational meetings, and service-learning projects

Researched on the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands centered around agriculture, human impact on the environment, and sustainability needs specifically focused on coral bleaching

Supervised a pollinating crew of 15 individualsPollinated, tagged, and measured corn for harvesting and research purposes