Workforce Wednesday: Meet an Agricultural Researcher

Dr. Yi Wang with student researchers Alfadhl Alkhaled, Trevor Crosby and Guolong Liang. (Farming for the Future Foundation | Malorie Paine)

“My job is to make sure my research is highly applied,” Dr. Yi Wang, an Agriculture Researcher and Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, said.

Wang’s role as an Agricultural Researcher is composed of three parts: teaching, researching and extension services.

She works with undergraduate students to introduce them to agriculture and explain what the industry is and does.

“I want to pass my passion about agriculture over to them,” Wang said.

She also oversees graduate students in their research projects. Additionally, she applies for grant funding, writes for peer-reviewed research journals, presents research to other industry professionals and more.

Wang’s favorite aspect of her job though is getting to be involved in feeding the world.

“In order to live, we have to eat food,” Wang said. “That's how human society functions. So, we need agriculture. Agriculture is a very basic component of our society. By working in this industry, it means that you are contributing to the basic needs of human beings and that's very exciting.”

Wang also enjoys how closely she can work and communicate with growers in the industry.

“We work closely with the agricultural industry,” she said. “In my case, it’s the potato and vegetable industry. We grow with them on a daily basis. We communicate with them to find out what the biggest challenges are and what questions they have.”

Because the research Wang does is intended to be applied to the industry, she is helping to increase the industry’s ability to feed the world.

“That is most important for me because I'm an extension specialist,” Wang said.  “My job is just to keep talking to the growers, visiting their farms or operations and sort of keep the conversations going.”

Working with growers so closely, Wang said it grows a sense of appreciation for the industry.

“I think it increases your appreciation for foods, for the hard work that the growers and all the agricultural people have done for the entire world- making sure that we have delicious, nutritional food,” Wang said. “I think that's very important.”

Wang is most excited about the future of technology in agriculture and how she believes it will push younger generations to become involved in agriculture.

“In upcoming decades, technology or improved skills will be needed more and more, and the younger generation can step in and be a good fit for those roles in order to make agriculture more efficient and reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment,” Wang said.

 Her lab of graduate researchers is currently utilizing remote sensing and machine learning in potato production.

To work in agriculture research, Wang first earned a bachelor's degree in Biological Science. She then went on to earn a PhD in Plant Physiology, specializing in potato physiology. Her course work included plant breeding, molecular biology, soil science, climate science and all other sciences involved in her specialized focus area of potatoes.

“I found it's a very exciting and interesting crop to work with,” she said. “Along the way, by some chance I started to work with potatoes, and I really appreciate that, and I like it.”

She worked on a postdoctoral project for two years contributing research to the French fry and chipping industries. Wang has enjoyed continuing her work with potatoes and other vegetables. She has found her contributions to be rewarding.

A challenge Wang often faces is being able to relate new and developing technology to the industry.

“There is a lack of knowledge about those newer technologies and how to make the best use of those,” she said. “My job is to connect those dots and make sure I do research on the best use of those newer technologies in potato and vegetable production.”

She also ensures her research is aligned to the relevant industry needs.

“For example, right now water quality and higher nitrogen use efficiency is one of the biggest priorities for the potato industry here in Wisconsin,” Wang said.  “In order to address that issue, there are multiple ways to use higher or newer technology. The cutting-edge technology can be one of those approaches, so I'm doing my best to make sure that those technologies could be applied to the potato and vegetable industry.”

Wang said she really enjoys being able to see the fruits of her labor recognized.

“Every season, to watch the plants grow from a little tiny piece of seed tuber into a large canopy with five to 10 pounds of potato tubers, that for me is the most exciting part,” Wang said. “I will say agriculture is very exciting. In spring, you plant something. In the summer, you grow, and then in the fall, you harvest. This is very rewarding within a short period of time.”

 Something you would like to have known on your first day on the job:

“Can I say I don't have such a lesson? The reason for that is because I did my PhD in potatoes from day one. So, I know this very well, and I have a very good supervisor. I have other researchers and professors around me that give me really good advice all the time. So, that makes sure I'm on the right track. I think I have been very lucky to not make any huge mistakes over the course of the years.”