Two students from the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (Esalq) at USP have been awarded the Next Gen Leadership Awards for 2025, an award that aims to recognize and support young leaders who are shaping the future in various sectors. The award ceremony took place in Orlando, United States, from March 31st to April 2nd, during the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) event, which brings together leading genomics researchers, data scientists, breeders, policymakers, funders, and technological innovators from various regions of the Global North and South, committed to transforming terrestrial and aquatic agriculture.
Students from the Agricultural Engineering course, Pedro Henrique Massaro da Silveira and Raissa Souza Krupek, received the award from The Genome Partnership for being early-career scientists with promising potential in genomics and related fields. The initiative highlights researchers whose innovations in AI-based genetic analysis, microbiome science, climate adaptation, and computational biology are paving new paths to improve crop resilience and breeding efficiency.
Pedro Massaro was awarded for the development of a computational interface for the analysis of mixed models: exploring genotype-harvest interactions (GHI) in multi-harvest trials According to the student, the impact of his work is reflected in the DesignGen app, which makes advanced statistical analysis accessible to breeders without requiring programming knowledge.
Raissa Krupek developed software for statistical analysis of experiment groups in randomized complete block designs with factorial arrangements, with applications in plant breeding. Raissa explains that the tool was validated with 156 maize hybrids across multiple seasons and locations in Brazil, significantly advancing the efficiency of breeding programs.
“Recognizing these talented early-career scientists is crucial to advancing innovation in agricultural genomics,” said Daniela Lourenço, associate professor at the University of Georgia and co-chair of the Scientific Organizing Committee of the AGBT Agricultural Meeting. “Their work represents the next wave of discoveries that will improve food security, sustainability, and breeding strategies worldwide during this critical period of climate uncertainties.”
At Esalq, Pedro and Raissa developed their scientific initiation studies at the Laboratory of Statistical Genetics, under the guidance of Professor Antônio Augusto Franco Garcia.
To find out more about the award, visit the AGBT website here.
Text adapted from Esalq’s Communications Department
English version: Nexus Traduções
