CARLOS “CHARLIE” MESSINA

PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR OF THE UF/IFAS CROP TRANSFORMATION CENTER, GAinesville

The UF/IFAS Crop Transformation Center develops genetic solutions for agriculture, integrating artificial intelligence, biotechnology and plant breeding to create crops with improved nutritional profiles and disease resistance. The center is focused on closing the production gap created by the devastating disease citrus greening that threatens 33,000 jobs affiliated with the $7-billion orange juice industry. In various roles, from technician to director, he’s contributed to creating drought-tolerant maize in the U.S., digital tools that help farmers in the U.S. use less nitrogen and thus reduce contamination and AI methods to produce higher crop yields and increase food security. His fellowship at the American Association for the Advancement of Science is a recognition of that work.

EDUCATION: University of Buenos Aires (BS, MS), University of Florida (MS, Ph.D.)

FIRST JOB: I started working in the wetlands of Argentina, avoiding snakes occasionally, and getting wet up to my knees often. My job was to measure the height and diameters of trees. Then the engineers estimated the mass of wood in the lot and decided whether to sell the lot.

HOBBY: I am passionate about fly fishing. I enjoy the art of fly tying. It is like painting on a three-dimensional canvas.

NONPROFIT PASSION: The Gates Foundation. Bill Gates took charge and did something about AIDS, malnutrition and improving the lives of millions of kids.