b'thumb, and we are always overflowingcommunity behind the potato industry,germplasm for traits valued for applications with fresh flowers and produce. Iand they were one of the only breedingof genome editing. I then sequenced and was clearly influenced by my parentsprograms in the nation that was pursuingassembled a new potato genome for one appreciation for life and the sciences.this kind of research at the time. of these lines, so that it can be used as a I think of my current interest in plantThe recent popularity of genomeresource for future applications of genome breeding as an homage to both of myediting as a new breeding techniqueediting in potato. Im fortunate to be taking parents and their talents. led me to join the potato breedingpart in research that both progresses I was raised Buddhist and since I wasprogram at Michigan State University forour applied breeding goals as well as very young, I had been taught how toa PhD in plant breeding, genetics andfoundational knowledge in the application live mindfully. I think mindfulness is alsobiotechnology. Here, I can connect myof genome editing in plants.a great strength to have for conductingresearch interests in genome editing to theEven though Im very proud of all I have research. It means being attentive toapplied goals of our breeding program toaccomplished throughout my academic the details of my projects as well as theaddress persistent problems in the freshcareer, I could never say that I did it all by people around me. and processing potato industry. Currently,myself. I couldnt have done it without the During my undergraduate I wasIm working to reduce the effects ofprivileges of having supportive parents, or confident I wanted to pursue a PhDenzymatic browning in our germplasmwithout the mentors who took the time to in plant breeding, because I saw thethrough gene editing. Im also working totrain me, or without the friends who have promise of using genome editing asunderstand the accuracy of new genomealways been there for me.a new breeding technique for cropediting platforms, as these off-targetingFor me, being a successful researcher improvement. But since the technologyeffects are a major regulatory concern inisnt just about the pride in my own was still emerging at the time, it hadntaccepting genome edited food crops. achievements, but about seeing the entire quite made it to most university-associatedI have also expanded the genetic andfield grow and I believe that one of the breeding programs. Potatoes were angenomic resources available for genemost powerful ways to see this kind of exception! There is an incredible researchediting in potato by screening availableprogress is simply by helping each other.SPUDSMART.COM Fall 202119'