News
Gus Poesch Research Fund Supports the Next Generation of Researchers
November 18, 2024
The floral industry is constantly evolving, and supporting the next generation of researchers and leaders is essential to its continued growth. AFE programs strive to empower young industry members with opportunities to attend educational conferences where they can learn, network, and share their work with the wider floral community.
Juan Quijia Pillajo, a member of our Young Professionals Council (YPC) and a Graduate Research Associate at The Ohio State University, recently received a grant from our Gus Poesch Research Fund that allowed him to travel to the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. AFE also proudly sponsored two key competitions at the event through educational grant funding, the Graduate Student Floriculture Oral Competition and the Undergraduate Poster Competition. These competitions gave young researchers the chance to share their work and connect with other industry members in their field. Additionally, AFE provided an in-person networking lunch during the conference for the YPC to connect and share updates.
The Gus Poesch Research Fund which supported Juan’s attendance this year honors the legacy of a true innovator and influential figure in the floral industry, Gus Poesch. It is due to Gus’ dedication to supporting the next generation that the G.H. “Gus” Poesch Research Fund was established at The Ohio State University. Approximately $40,000 is awarded annually for recruitment, research, teaching, graduate student travel grants, or floriculture projects at The Ohio State University.
Read on to learn about Juan’s experience at ASHS 2024!
By Juan Quijia Pillajo
The ASHS Annual Conference took place in Honolulu, Hawaii from September 23nd to 27th, 2024. The ASHS Annual Conference is a showcase for the latest advances in horticultural science, and I had the opportunity to present part of my PhD research project conducted at The Ohio State University, Wooster campus. The conference was a unique opportunity to learn more about horticulture and plant science, expand my professional network, and catch up with industry members.
I had the opportunity to present an oral seminar during the Graduate Student Floriculture Oral Competition. I greatly enjoyed sharing the output of my Ph.D. work, and was super excited to be awarded the third place for my presentation on phosphate solubilizing bacteria from greenhouse ornamentals. I learned about a diversity of topics researched around the USA and the world. I had the chance to meet amazing students and faculty working in various areas of horticulture. I met several students and faculty from OSU, and caught up with some friends I met during the ISHS conference in 2023. I also met for lunch with old and new friends from AFE’s Young Professional Council. The YPC has greatly helped me to connect with new people, and I have built great friendships with other members and was super happy to see them.
I also had the opportunity to learn about the tropical specialty crop industry in O‘ahu, its challenges, and how growers have adapted to the market and the environmental conditions. Our visit started at Laie Vanilla Company. I found this very interesting as I have been reading a lot about vanilla production. I was surprised at how easy the vanilla extraction process was. Then, we moved to visit Kahuku Farms, a family-owned farm that offers freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. Finally, we visited the Dole pineapple packing plant.
Beyond my wonderful scientific learning experience, I took some time to connect with nature. I was amazed by the landscapes around the island, some of them so beautiful that it seemed unreal. Similarly, visiting Pearl Harbor, I learned more about its US and world history.
Attending this conference was not only a professional experience — it was an opportunity to expand my world, what I have seen, and what I want to see next. I am convinced these experiences contribute to my career development, but also to my personal development. I am thankful for the learning, networking, and friendship I experienced, and am deeply grateful for the support from the American Floral Endowment to attend this symposium.
Applications for the Gus Poesch Research Fund are due to AFE no later than August 1 of each year. Young professionals interested in joining our YPC and networking with up-and-coming industry leaders, like Juan, can join for free here!
