Postdoctoral Research Fellow and CANOVI Project Lead at the University of British Columbia 
ambar.carvallo@botany.ubc.ca

Ambar holds a PhD degree in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, specializing in tomato breeding focused on organic adaptation for the US Upper Midwest. Her research centered on enhancing flavor and disease resistance through participatory breeding, engaging farmers in the selection process to better address organic agriculture needs. In partnership with seed companies, she evaluated new molecular markers for resistance to Septoria leaf spot, a common disease in the Upper Midwest. Additionally, at the end of her PhD program, she completed a 6-month exchange at INRAE, France, gaining expertise in molecular approaches for flavor improvement. 

She now works as the CANOVI Project Lead, in which she carries out field trials, greenhouse evaluations, and farmer engagement to develop vegetable varieties that are resilient to the farming and environmental conditions in Canada. She is looking forward to supporting local food systems through participatory plant breeding