Spanning approximately 20,000 square miles, in the center of California, over 250 crops grow. The span of land is the Central Valley — and while it encompasses less than 1% of U.S. farmland, it produces over 33% of the nation’s vegetables and 67% of the nation’s fruits and nuts. Significantly, California is the nation’s sole exporter of many agricultural commodities, supplying 99% of almonds, artichokes, dates, and 10 other products to the nation and world.
But to feed the world, farmers who experience hurdles rely on researchers to come up with innovative solutions.
Misbah Chaudhry, who is earning her master’s degree in biology at California State University, Bakersfield, is one such researcher.
“My research has an importance in our agricultural industry, and within that, more towards carrot production,” Misbah said. “My research is focusing on exploring a natural method to control a certain disease in carrots, so that we can help out our farmers and growers with these diseases, and not have them use chemical fungicides, which are not as efficient anymore as they've been in the past.”
Misbah is able to pursue this project thanks to a scholarship that helps students conduct in-depth research projects with faculty mentors. The Student Research Scholars program is supported by the President’s Associates, the longest standing and most prestigious giving society at CSUB.
CSUB President Lynnette Zelezny said the President’s Associates is an opportunity to provide students with a “high-impact opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty members on research that impacts our region and community.”
Misbah added that she is grateful for the donors’ support.
“I thank all the donors from the bottom of my heart for being so kind and generous to donate to this program,” Misbah said. “It shows me that they actually appreciate the work and all the research that is happening here on campus.”
© 2026 California State University, Bakersfield
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