Student Standing
Second-year Ph.D. student.

Degree/Focus: Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group, focusing on climate change and viticulture. My research explores how climate influences quality traits in Chardonnay grapes, specifically acids, polyphenols, and aromatic precursors.

Hometown:
San Francisco, CA.

What brought you to UC Davis? 
This department is what brought me to UC Davis. I wanted to be a part of the community of researchers working to support the industry I had grown to love. After graduating from college in 2019, I worked in grassland ecology and agroecology research and then I followed my curiosity about the wine industry to a series of internships. I came to UC Davis to integrate the two areas of my career and to work in the Forrestel Lab, whose projects related to climate extremes I found deeply compelling. 

Favorite Part of the Program: 
The people! My peers, mentors, and faculty constantly inspire me and show me new ways to learn and appreciate the beautiful journey from the bud to the glass. Being part of DEVO and Women in Wine has also strengthened my sense of belonging in the wine industry and a desire to cultivate community and inclusion. 

Internship Experiences: 
I first interned in production at Merry Edwards in Sebastopol, where I embraced the challenges of harvest and learned to love the magic of winemaking. A vineyard internship at Ridge in Lytton Springs deepened my love for viticulture and respect for the land and farming excellence. Later, working at Atlas Vineyard Management exposed me to the diversity of Northern California’s wine regions and inspired my current research.

Future Plans: 
I aim to work in research, sustainability, or outreach within the wine industry, though vineyard management and viticulture also appeal to me.

Fun Fact: 
My family does a blind tasting competition every year at our holiday party. I’ve only won once :( This year’s theme was German wines, curated by the wonderful Mirjam Fischer!