For Future Graduate Students - Interns
- Leafy Vegetable Breeding and Genetics Laboratory
Laboratory Mission
I am conducting applied (80%) and theoretical (20%) research in lettuce breeding and genetics for Florida production. My short-term goal is to provide growers with solutions through genetically improved material to counteract detrimental effects for production in the state of Florida. My medium-term goal includes to research several topics that are concerns at the national level and ultimately, as a long term goal, I would love to contribute my research to other parts of the planet.
Although my research is intended to be applied, you would be contributing with primary knowledge developed in my lab to effectively design breeding strategies to improve cultivars. Besides the theoretical training you will get as a graduate student, you will also be exposed to the day-to-day challenges in the industry and will learn how to solve problems in your future careers.
My mission as PI
- My lab is very diverse therefore, I ask you to respect each other.
- Train team players.
- Make sure my students and trainees attend Scientific Meetings.
- I encourage writing of Scientific Publications (Manuscripts) or Extension Publications.
- My commitment to you is my absolute dedication to your success.
My students
- Should meet with me frequently. It is very important that you contact me and set additional meetings if you require additional help.
- While I understand that graduate school means lots of work in classroom and research, I expect you to come to lab meetings every month and present your research to fellow lab members and start discussions.
- In addition, as student you are expected to discuss scientific papers of your choice.
- I expect full responsibility on taking classes, attendance and be responsible to get the respective grades to keep yourself with your assistantship.
Our responsibilities
- You and I will choose your graduate committee, which I will make sure it is diverse; committee members should be the ones adding an extra value to your education. My goal is for you to become a professional with a unique set of skills needed in the modern professional world.
- You and will elaborate a timeline for your education. We both will discuss your coursework and your research plan. However, the primary responsibility on coursework is yours; while your research plan is a team effort.
- We both are responsible to work on your IDP (Individual Development Plan). On a yearly basis you will present your IDP to me. We will compare the previous IDP with the most current and discuss changes, if any, and then we both will discuss our plan to get the training you think you will need according to your career objectives.
Evaluations
At the end of the semester we will discuss your progress in classes and research. I expect you to communicate to me your challenges and concerns you may have had during the semester; this discussion will be brief. On a yearly basis we will do an in deep evaluation of your progresses in classes and research and we will revisit all challenges for you during the year.
Welcome to my team!