Salazar Lab Team

Adriana Cifuentes-Carvajal (Master Student)

• B.S. in Biology. University of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia (2011)
• Especialist in Geographical Information Systems. University of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia (2016)

I have grown a great interest in physiology in perennial crops over the years. Previously, my research focused on dormancy, especially for cherries and grapes. I am enthusiastic about learning and researching new crops at every opportunity I get. I joined Dr. Salazar’s team in the Spring of 2022 as a Graduate Student Research Assistant. My research activities include dormancy, phenology, and growth development of different peach and blueberry cultivars.  I enjoyed hiking, reading, and sharing time with friends.

Nelda Raquel Hernández-Martinez (Master Student)

• B.S. in Agricultural Science and Production, Pan-American Agricultural School, Zamorano, Honduras (2019)

My research interest focuses on fruit crops physiology and phenology responses to different growth limiting abiotic factors, such as temperature, light, CO2, and humidity, and how to best manage them to get higher yields. My current research project focuses on strawberry performance under controlled environments. Outside of research, I enjoy outdoor activities, photography, and coffee time.  I joined Dr. Salazar’s Lab in January 2022.

Caroline Blanchard
Research Associate II
113 Funchess Hall

I coordinate research projects at the aquaponics research facility and help graduate students with experimental design and setup, data collection, and data analysis. In my spare time, I like to hike, read, and work on my crochet projects.

• B.S. in Environmental and Development, Pan-American Agricultural School, Zamorano, Honduras (2015)

I joined the Horticulture Department at Salazar Lab, in February 2023. My background is based on harvest and post-harvest production of flowers, vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber, and pepper), and bananas. I am currently working as an intern on strawberries, blueberries, and peaches projects looking to improve my skills and knowledge about the quality, physiology, and phenology of the cultivars and their acceptance at local growers and markets. In my spare time, I like reading, playing video games, and traveling.

Axel Ali Zimeri-Gomez 

• M.S. in Horticulture (2023)
• B.S. in Agricultural Science and Production, Pan-American Agricultural School, Zamorano, Honduras (2018)

I joined the Horticulture Master’s Program at Auburn University in the Fall of 2021, currently working as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Salazar Lab. The focus of my research is small fruit production under protected cultivation, and I specialize in Blueberry production. My research group works to further the understanding of the physiological and phenological responses of small fruits under different methods of production. My thesis project emphasizes the comparison of Southern High Bush Blueberries cultivars under High Tunnels and open field production. In my spare time, I like to spend my time outdoors.