Salazar Lab

DR. MELBA SALAZAR-GUTIERREZ (LEADER)

CROP PHYSIOLOGIST & CROP MODELER

Country of Origin: Colombia, South America

Dr. Melba Salazar-Gutierrez joined Auburn University in January 2021, in her previous position as Research Professor at Washington State University Dr. Salazar participated in the development and application of several crop simulation models to estimate the impact of climate variables in agricultural management on tree fruit, grapes, and other horticultural crops to create a strong foundation for decision making and stakeholder recommendations. Models for the cold hardiness of apples, cold hardiness of cherries, phenology of apples, phenology of grapes, a pollen tube growth model, and a model for the fruit diameter of apples, are already available to the public and published. These models have provided tools to the industry and farmers by identifying critical temperatures to manage agricultural practices and avoid the risk of crop loss. Her main goal at Auburn University is to develop tools and do research that addresses farmer and industry needs.

Dr. Salazar is very committed to graduate students, she has been a link in her previous positions with the Global Research and Engagement program to bring students from other countries particularly from Colombia as part of a grant effort. She also has established and maintained positive, respectful, and appropriate mentoring and collaborative relationships with international students and visiting scientists from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds. In Auburn, she is a  member of the Global Program Advisory Committee (GPAC).

Dr. Salazar’s Lab is recognized for its efforts to attract students from various genders, races, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Previously had students and interns from Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Colombia, and currently, the lab is composed of students from Belize, the Philippines, Nepal, and Tanzania. Dr. Salazar actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a welcoming environment, ensuring equal opportunities, and soliciting diverse perspectives through respectful listening and organizing inclusive activities. Respect and appreciation through regular acknowledgments to make people valued and appreciated is the core of the Salazar’s lab.

In sourcing grants, Dr. Salazar is responsible for stakeholder management of potential grant makers, who are beneficiaries of our research. Her outreach efforts include presentations to farmers and a variety of stakeholders.