For Michele Nalle, agriculture has always been more than food — it’s a way of life. Growing up on the small Indonesian island of Timor, she was surrounded by traditional systems like mamar agroforestry, which she only later came to understand scientifically through her studies in plant breeding. Now working on alfalfa at UC Davis, Michelle is passionate about connecting local wisdom with modern science, using global germplasm to build climate-resilient crops and advocating for the importance of genetic diversity as “insurance for the problems we haven’t yet faced.”
Her path has also been deeply personal. Motivated by the absence of role models who looked like her, she took on leadership roles early — leading workshops in her village, mentoring other students, and even starting an organic farm to foster trust with skeptical farmers. “When you want to collaborate, you need to listen,” she says. “The best solutions are built together.”
Recognized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture and national media, she hopes her story helps young women, especially those from remote communities, dream big and pursue their passions in science.
