Harsimar Gill is a 2023 National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Borlaug Scholar oiriginally from India. He sat down with Marc Zienkiewicz this week to chat about the value of the Borlaug Scholarship and the NAPB meeting itself.
He’s currently a PhD student at South Dakota State University, working in the winter wheat breeding program. Back in India, he pursued his Master’s in plant breeding and genetics, working on wheat populations resulting from crosses between winter wheat and spring wheat. Gill developed a passion for plant breeding during his undergraduate studies, which was sparked by a professor’s mentorship. His farming background also influenced his interest in agriculture.
His interest in plant breeding led him to apply for the Borlaug scholarship, which facilitates the attendance of young breeders at the annual meeting and pairs them with a mentor to help guide them in their research journey.
Gill says the NAPB conference exceeded his expectations due to its well-planned sessions and ample networking time, particularly appreciating the approachable and supportive community of plant breeders. He looks forward to staying involved in the organization and possibly joining a student or early career working group to contribute further.
