David Zapata

Hometown

Quito, Ecuador

Fun Fact

I make my own mead and bread. 

Research

David is a Research Associate on the Green Evolution program for both the Biofortification Lab and the Crop Adaptation Lab. His role encompasses many aspects of these programs, with an emphasis on phenotyping using analytical chemistry, as well as development of analytical methods, particularly high-throughput methods, for use in biofortification of staple crops. This technology will be given to collaborator breeding programs to increase their biofortification breeding efficiency. David has expertise in analytical chemistry.

Career Goal

Study the factors involved in biosynthesis of beneficial phytochemicals in crops and how they contribute to human health and making food more nourishing. 

Education

• M.S. Horticulture                                         

Colorado State University, 2024

Thesis: Development of a high-throughput phenotyping method for measuring sorghum carotenoids

• B.S. Biotechnology Engineering                                         

Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, 2016