b'Helping Seed Analysts to GrowMoses PalmerNisku, Alta.In the dictionary next to the word multitasking, there should be a photo of Moses Palmer. His days are a whirlwind of lab analyses, customer service, and overseeing the seamless flow of operations at 20/20 Seed Labs in Nisku, Alta., where he works as senior seed analyst and lab manager. But Palmer is more than that; hes becoming a driving force in the seed testing community.Beyond the labs walls, Palmer delivers high-impact trainingSeen here second from left with a group of students, Edel Prez-Lpezs sessions in grading, seed identification and germination to seedcommitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists is evident, as industry professionals.he guides them through their own research endeavours.The 36-year-olds journey to leadership was paved with hands-on experience. Before his tenure at 20/20 Seed Labs,A Unique Approach to Science and Well-beinghe spearheaded agriculturalEdel Prez-Lpez initiatives in Ghanas riceQuebec City, Que.industry. Leading a diverse team, he empowered localEdel Prez-Lpezs career journey in plant breeding has taken farmers, creating symbiotichim through three different countries, multiple academic relationships that bridgedpursuits, and is what has cemented his dedication to fostering small-scale growers withdiversity and inclusion in the field of plant science. commercial producers. He came to Canada from his birth country of Cuba in 2015 I actually didnt intendfor a six-month internship, then finished his PhD in Mexico. to leave Ghana to come toAfter that, he moved to the United States for a year and finally Canada, Palmer says. Butsettled in Canada in 2018.circumstances led me hereHis groundbreaking work on clubroot disease has allowed when my wife started a PhDMoses Palmer is becoming ahe and his team to sequence the genome for Plasmodia brassicae, program at the University ofdriving force in the seed testingthe clubroot pathogen. Its the first complete genome available Alberta, and we were expect- community. worldwide. His second area of focus involves leafhoppers and ing our first child. It was atheir potential as markers of climate change. shift that propelled me into a new chapter in life. As a mentor and advocate for diversity, Prez-Lpez offers Palmers role at 20/20 Seed Labs reflects not only his exper- valuable advice to aspiring plant scientists.tise but also his commitment to bridging the gap between theNumber one, you have to be curious all the time. Curiosity lab and the field. Palmer is tasked with overseeing operationsis really important, he states. I dont consider myself a bril-and also nurturing the next generation of agricultural innova- liant person. I just work hard. You have to do the work.tors through teaching and mentorship. Prez-Lpez is also active in his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ Palmers dedication to education is matched only by his pas- community in the research community. As a co-founder of the sion for fostering a supportive work environment, particularlyonline community Pride in Microbiology, he actively promotes for those balancing family commitments. Palmer notes thatrepresentation and recognition within academic circles.employers are now more understanding of the need for employ- One of the driving factors behind my involvement was my ees to spend time with their families. 20/20 Seed Labs evenexperience as an undergraduate in Cuba, where I witnessed set up a school at its lab during the pandemic to accommodatefirsthand the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ students in finding parents. supervisors due to prevailing homophobia, he says.Understanding the individual needs of team members andI wanted to demonstrate that its possible to thrive in navigating personal struggles can be demandingm but its alsoacademia regardless of sexual orientation and to advocate for an opportunity for growth and connection. those who might otherwise be discouraged from pursuing their Looking to the future, Palmer is eager to further immersedreams.himself in industry dynamics and explore opportunities for col- Contrary to the belief that only scientific merit matters, laboration and innovation. hes come to understand the significance of representation in Building capacity within our lab to deliver actionabledecision-making processes such as hiring committees. People insights to our customers is crucial. Im excited to engage withnaturally gravitate towards those who resemble or think like stakeholders and chart a course towards sustainable growth. them, which inadvertently perpetuates biases, he adds.MARCH 2024 SEEDWORLD.COM/CANADA 7'