Research Assistant – Summerland Research and Development Centre
Cherry season has officially begun in the Okanagan! I’ve been hard at work with my team here at the Summerland Research and Development Centre, harvesting fruit samples from hundreds of trees to create robust datasets which will help us understand what makes a great cherry. I’ve learned so much already since working with the Fruit Tree Breeding Program – everything from pollination, grafting, planting, thinning and training to pest management, as well as strategies for working alongside wildlife in the field.
Joining the UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship Co-op program has allowed me to experience student life outside of the classroom, applying my knowledge of plant and soil biology to real-life research. Beyond that, it’s been a privilege to work with such an awesome team of researchers at the SurDC and to witness the power of diverse skill sets coming together to get the job done.