Katherina Martinez

How did you become interested in this feld of study?
Growing up, I was only interested in and challenged by science classes in school. I learned that no matter how diffcult it gets, to always make sure to pick yourself up off the ground and start again. Also, the curiosity that results in new knowledge is very much rewarding.

What is the title of the ARI project you are working on?
“Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Application on Soil and Nutrient Utilization in an Organic Crop Production System”
For this study, we used three treatments for the crops: control (no mycorrhizae), arbuscular mycorrhizal commercial inoculum, and arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum plus green waste compost. We are looking to quantify the AMF colonization in the roots of the crops, identify native and applied AMF via metagenomic sequencing, determine the physical and chemical properties of the soils before and during crop growth, and to quantify plant nutrient uptake—specifcally nitrogen and phosphorous—across each of the three treatments. We work mostly with lettuce and strawberries, two of the crops with the highest production in Monterey County.

Why are you interested in this project?
Moving to the USA from the Philippines, I never knew that a signifcant part of California’s land was used for agriculture and how it is one of the state’s largest industries. Monterey has a very large, multibillion dollar agricultural economy and supplies large amounts of crops to the nation. When Dr. Haffa and Dr. Hynes (both are the principal investigators, and my mentors) took me in for this research, I was excited because I did not have any background in this feld, and it was a chance to learn how I can contribute to this study.

Describe your role as you’ve conducted research in this ARI project.
The part that I am mostly involved in is quantifying the arbuscular mycorrhizal spores in the soil cores we harvest from the feld. A lot of our lab members do feldwork, but you will mostly see me in the lab. I am in charge of processing the soil cores that were taken from the feld from which I extract the spores, then quantify them using the microscope.

What do you hope to learn, or have you learned, through your involvement with this ARI project?
I was able to learn a lot about the role of research in improving crop systems and yields. Before this, I had not realized growing crops required so much research. I gained knowledge in the different methods utilized in this study, such as soil aggregate stability and metagenomics. I also got better in working independently and effciently in the lab.

Briefy describe your project and why it is important to California agriculture or natural resources.
We are conducting feldwork and lab methods to determine the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on organic crops. AMF are soil microorganisms that can form mutualistic symbiosis (which means that both the fungi and plant beneft from the relationship) with plants by infecting the roots and form arbuscules within these roots. Arbuscules are little threadlike structures that when viewed under a microscope, appear as a treelike form growing within the root cell of the plant. Through these arbuscules, the AMF functionally acts as an extension of the root system of plants to aid in nutrient exchange between the two. We want to see if we can utilize AMF in a variety of ways to improve crop production.

What do you want to do after graduation, and how will working on this ARI project help you to achieve that goal?
I am looking to pursue a career in biotechnology and increase my research knowledge and experience. This opportunity to work on this ARI project is invaluable to me, as I believe it is preparing me to be an effcient and better researcher.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us regarding your background and interests?
I was also given the opportunity to join an internship in the bioengineering department in University of California, Santa Cruz this past summer, funded by Genentech. I presented a research poster regarding my study, and I won Outstanding Research Poster Award!

What did you fnd most rewarding about the ARI program?
The ARI program has benefted me the most through the connections I made. I have met a lot of amazing colleagues who otherwise I would not have even crossed paths with. They taught me a lot, and my lab skills have improved, and they have explained to me the other aspects of our study that I am not directly involved in. My lab mates are more experienced than me, and they inspire me to do better. I like and appreciate the fact that I can always go to them for advice.