Dr. Gerardo Nunez, Assistant Professor of Horticultural Sciences, has been named to the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under Forty Class of 2025, a national recognition honoring emerging leaders who are making meaningful contributions to the specialty crop industry.
The annual Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under Forty awards program celebrates those shaping the future of fruit and vegetable production, research, and advancement. Honorees are selected by a panel of growers and industry leaders. The Class of 2025 was just celebrated in person this past week at the Great Lakes Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with support from award sponsor Stoke Seeds.
For Dr. Nunez, whose work focuses on improving blueberry production systems in the southeastern United States, the recognition carries particular weight. “I appreciate that this list is selected by a panel of growers, because a lot of the work that I do aims to impact how folks cultivate blueberries in the southeast. It means a lot that somebody would notice the work that we’re doing.”
A Systems-Level Approach to Blueberry Research
Dr. Nunez leads the Small Fruit Horticulture Lab at UF/IFAS, where his research blends plant physiology, production systems, and applied innovation. His program takes a systems-level approach studying the whole plant while also digging deeper into roots, nutrients, and genotype responses to better understand how blueberry plants perform and respond to stress.
“One thing that makes our work stand out is that we go back to the farming system and start asking why,” Nunez said. “We ask some really foundational questions, but we use cutting-edge methods to answer them.”
Much of Dr. Nunez’s recent work has focused below ground, an area at times overlooked. By using root observation systems and detailed physiological measurements, his lab is helping reveal how root growth and health influence nutrient efficiency, plant vigor, and yield. That deeper understanding can translate into better management decisions for growers.
Training the Next Generation of Horticultural Scientists
Beyond research, Dr. Nunez places strong emphasis on student training and career development. He describes his lab as both a research and training program, where preparing the next generation of scientists and industry professionals is a central goal. “Our products are not just papers, knowledge, or ideas,” Nunez said. “They’re also the students who train through the lab and go on to have impactful careers in the horticulture industry.”
That dual focus of advancing science while preparing students for careers in agriculture reflects the broader mission of UF/IFAS and aligns closely with the goals of the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under Forty program.
As blueberry growers face mounting challenges, including rising labor costs and the need for greater efficiency, Dr. Nunez’s work continues to connect research with real-world application. Through close collaboration with plant breeders, extension specialists, and growers, his program is helping support a more resilient future for blueberry production in the Southeast.
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