Employee Spotlights

Yu-Chen Wang is a UC Cooperative Extension plant pathology advisor serving Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties. Wang, who joined UC ANR in 2022, studies diseases on vegetable and berry crops.

When he's not swinging over pools of water or navigating past other obstacles on American Ninja Warrior, Eric Middleton, UC integrated pest management advisor for San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties, can often be found examining plants for insect pests.

At a young age, Irene Padasas UC Cooperative Extension community nutrition and health advisor for Tulare, Kings, Fresno and Madera counties saw first-hand how environmental health conditions can impact a family's choices.

If you're on a video call with Glenda Humiston when she's in her home office, you'll see the sign right above her left shoulder, prominently displayed: 4-H CLUB MEMBER LIVES HERE. It's the same sign that hung on her childhood home in Mancos, Colorado, in the remote southwest corner of the state.

Between 4th and 8th grade, Brent Hales had acquired from those years in 4-H a lifetime's worth of skills, a group of lifelong friends, an expanded perspective on the world and the track suit of his dreams.