Name: Alessandra Zuniga
Hometown: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Lab: Currently working in the Agroecology Lab at the University of California Davis, led by Prof. Amelie Gaudin
Lab websites: https://gaudin.ucdavis.edu/
Hobbies: Yoga, hiking, swimming, and running
What do you study? The first part of my research focuses on the effects of climate change stress on perennial cropping systems in California. Particularly how crop performance and water use strategies are expected to change under elevated CO2 concentrations, higher temperatures, and water deficits. The second part of my research aims to explore how the soil microbial community can be harnessed to defend crops against these stresses through sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.
Why is it important? Just like a healthy human microbiome helps to protect the body against disease and illness, a healthy soil microbial community can also serve as an immune defense for agricultural crops. Soils are one of the most valuable yet underappreciated resources on earth. Over the past ~50 years conventional management practices, such as tillage and monocropping, have degraded the structure and quality of agricultural soils. However, through ecological intensification it is possible to rebuild the soil to maximize ecosystem services and enhance the quality and resilience of crop foods.
How did you become interested in science? Did you know that a teaspoon of soil contains billions of microbes? Since learning this mind-blowing fact as an undergrad, I have been motivated to learn more about the organisms that live underneath our feet and their relationships with plants.
What do you like about being a scientist? As a scientist, you never stop learning and growing! I love searching for the answers to my own questions and sharing my findings with the world is incredibly rewarding. Another thing I enjoy about being a grad student conducting research is collaborating with a diverse community of scientists and exchanging insights in our respective fields.
What are 5 general vocabulary terms someone should know going into your field of science?
Agroecology, soil health, resilience, sustainability, climate change
What are 5 specific vocabulary terms someone should know about your research?
Ecological intensification, mycorrhizal fungi, rhizosphere, management practices, biophysical indicators