It's been a busy semester for Pooja Tripathi, who fresh off a win at the International Strawberry Symposium in China made her way to NCERA-101's 50th Annual Meeting in Mexico! While there she racked up another win taking home 1st place in the Graduate Student Lightning Talks.
Pooja is currently pursuing her PhD under the advisement of Dr. Chieri Kubota and shared that NCERA-101 stands for the North Central Extension & Research Activity–101. In Pooja's words NCERA-101 is a USDA committee that "helps plant scientists understand how to use controlled environment technology effectively and consistently. The committee holds meetings annually, which are hosted by one of its members. A major focus of the meetings has been the exchange of information on new technologies and problems in controlled environments."
Thankfully, Pooja had a minute to catch us up on her latest professional development trip as well as sharing a bit of advice for anyone considering grad school...
What was the most memorable moment of NCERA-101 for you?
The meeting was held at a hotel on a mountaintop, providing an isolated setting that gave attendees a great opportunity to connect and get to know each other better.
You packed a lot into one semester! How'd you balance your other grad school responsibilities in addition to all your travels?
Yes, it was a packed schedule with traveling + full days of seminars and networking at conferences. Fortunately, my research commitments weren’t too intense at the time, which made it more manageable. I took advantage of some quiet moments to work on my writing, but I also made time to recharge and explore a bit, enjoying the opportunity of being in a new place.
Any advice for prospective students considering grad school?
Find something you enjoy - there will be good and bad days. Thinking about the bigger picture helps you stay motivated. Talk to people—at conferences, seminars, and meetings. When people show interest in your work, that’s a great motivator.
Feeling inspired to start your own graduate school journey? We have you covered.