BAKERSFIELD, CA - The high-quality table grape varieties that line the produce department are one of life’s greatest joys, and Sun World International is taking a step forward in its innovative variety development. The supplier recently announced it has appointed Paola Barba as its new Table Grape Breeder.
As the company’s table grape breeder, Paola will be responsible for developing Sun World’s next generation of table grape varieties, utilizing the company’s strong genetics built from decades of breeding by her predecessors. As she takes on this critical role, Barba brings a strong background in biotechnological engineering, grapevine research, and genetics and breeding.
According to a press release, Barba received her B.S. in Biotechnological Engineering from the University of Chile and her Master’s and Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from Cornell University. There, she focused her research on the genetics of grapevine disease resistance using new genomic approaches under the supervision of Sun World’s collaborator Professor Bruce Reisch. She also recently directed a Table Grape Breeding program at the Chilean Institute of Agricultural Research (INIA), where she was responsible for the release of three new table grape varieties.
“Barba’s role as the Table Grape Breeder at Sun World is key to the company and the industry’s success by ensuring the consistent development of new and improved table grape varieties that delight consumers and ensure the sustainability and success of growers around the world,” said Jennifer Petersen, Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer at Sun World.
As the company noted in the release, Sun World’s varietal development program is integral to the company and its global network of 2,000-plus licensed growers and marketers’ success.
“When you have a program as strong as ours with a breeder like Terry Bacon who is well respected in the field retiring after a long and successful career, it’s a challenge to fill those shoes,” Petersen continued. “We are pleased to appoint Paola and hand her the baton to further advance the table grape breeding program. Her years of experience will add depth to our research and breeding endeavors.”
To read more about Sun World’s impressive varietal development program, including more comments from Petersen, click here.
The ANUK team sends a huge congratulations to Paola Barba on this exciting new role!
