Horticultural Sciences Undergraduate – Senior (Junior Graduating Early) 

Alice, originally from Flagler Beach, Florida, is among the last to graduate from UF’s horticulture major. During her undergraduate studies, she gained hands-on research experience from corn breeding to agroecology and stepped into leadership roles that connected science with community and global challenges. While her decision to study horticulture has always been rooted in a larger purpose, her interest in working across disciplines has made her a multifaceted student, building skills that reflect her choice to engage in diverse fields of research. She explained, “My main interest is helping with climate change, and I really do think plants are the key to that. I’m interested in helping us build resilience within our food system communities.”

Research Journey & Lab Experience

From her very first year on campus, Alice began an early and ongoing commitment to research. She worked with Dr. Marcio Resende’s sweet corn breeding program at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, where she assisted with controlled pollination and data collection. Later, she joined Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry Sustainable Nutrient Management Lab, where she still works today. Last summer, she interned at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, assisting in Dr. Zachary Brym’s Agroecology Lab. Alongside fieldwork in vegetation and plant management, she helped develop elements of the Agro Eco Park, a living demonstration space that showcases agroecology in practice, with farm designs that integrate ecological principles like biodiversity, soil conservation, and systems thinking.

Reflecting on these experiences, Alice said, “I really do appreciate the opportunities I get as a student here at UF. I’ve worked with three labs in different departments, and I’m so glad I got to touch on different fields and disciplines because I’m very interested in interdisciplinary work. I’m so glad the staff here is so supportive of helping students discover their interests and just allowing us to see what they’re doing and shadow their work.”

Student Leadership and Advocacy 

Beyond her coursework and research, Alice has been deeply involved in student leadership. She serves as president of the Ethnoecology Society, which maintains the UF Ethnoecology Garden, an interactive community space near the bat houses and Lake Alice where students, faculty, and visitors learn about edible, medicinal, and useful plants through agroecological practices. “My main goal is to get more people outside, show them what it’s like to connect with the earth, and how easy it is to ground yourself in such a relaxing environment,” she said.

Alice also serves on the Agriculture Board of the Ukraine Rebuilding Initiative (URI), a UF student organization launched in 2023 to support recovery efforts. On the board, she interviews Ukrainian farmers about how the war has affected their food systems and agricultural livelihoods. The group plans to publish these accounts in the coming months to raise awareness of agriculture’s central role in Ukrainian culture and resilience. By sharing farmers’ stories, Alice amplifies their knowledge and experiences while contributing to global conversations about food security and recovery in times of crisis.

On the Future

Alice plans to spend a few years gaining work experience before pursuing graduate school. She envisions becoming an organic inspector, with a long-term goal of strengthening farmer education. For Alice, educating and supporting farmers is essential to building resilience in food systems and confronting climate change at the community level. Through Dr. Zhao’s Organic Production class, she connected with Florida Organic Growers and met guest lecturer Dr. Juan Carlo Rodriguez, the organization’s Education Coordinator. This fall, she begins a new chapter as an Impact Communications and Data Intern with Florida Organic Growers for their Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (SE TOPP), a USDA initiative that helps farmers transition to certified organic production. “With job experience,” Alice said, “I hope to discover what I’m truly passionate about—my niche.”

2