Dr. Bo Li, a cherry physiologist at the Shandong Institute of Pomology in China, has joined the grape research team at the Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser on January 5.
During his year as a visiting scientist, Li will learn about wine and juice grape production and research with Professor Markus Keller and his staff and students.
Li, an associate researcher at the Shandong Institute, became interested in visiting after reading papers published by Keller and his research team.
“I have been engaged in cherry research for more than 10 years, but in the area of viticulture, I’m just starting out,” Li said. “I have a strong interest in doing basic research focusing on fruit quality improvement, flower bud freezing resistance, and fruit cracking resistance.”
The Shandong Institute is funding his stay in Washington to broaden his research to include both grapes and cherries. He will participate in Keller’s ongoing viticulture research projects.
– Erika Holmes