Member Spotlight: Maria Teresa Tancredi, Graduate Research Assistant and ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Member

What project are you currently working on that excites you the most?

During the last year, I have been interviewing row-crop farmers across the country to learn more about their opinions on different field management practices. It has been truly amazing to have the chance to speak with more than 80 growers in six States, see their operations, and learn how they work every day to make their farms successful and sustainable in the long run.

Do you have a mentor that has helped you in your professional career? How have they helped you?

Dr. Nandita Gaur and Dr. Jennifer Jo Thompson have been my mentors for the last four years. They have urged me to find research projects I would feel passionate about, encouraged me to explore different organizations and learning opportunities, and supported me through challenging moments. Most importantly, they inspire me every day through their work and commitment to their students.

As a woman, what is a challenge/obstacle you have faced in your career?

Growing up, I didn't learn about many women's and other historically marginalized groups' contributions to the sciences and agriculture. While I see that things are changing, I believe that acknowledging and filling those gaps is a necessary step towards making our fields more inclusive and their history more honest. I am thrilled to see many young women doing great work in STEM, and I am grateful for the women who paved the road for us. Nonetheless, issues like the pay gap and the dispersion of women in higher education and academic positions are still relevant and need to be addressed.