Leadership

Director
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Mitcham is a postharvest biologist and extension specialist with the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis. Her research program is focused on maintaining the quality of fruit after harvest, mechanisms of calcium deficiency in fruit, and postharvest insect control. See her lab homepage for more information.

Associate Director
Amanda Crump previously worked as a farm advisor in environmental horticulture before joining Horticulture CRSP. She also serves as the Secretary and Treasurer for the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development.

Leader, Implementation of Innovative Technology and Special Projects
Dr. Michael Reid is a professor and postharvest extension specialist emeritus in the Department of Plant Sciences. Specializing in postharvest handling of ornamentals, he has worked with flower growers in Africa, Latin America and Asia. He was recently inducted into the California Floriculture Hall of Fame.

Leader, Communications and Information Transfer
Dr. Mark Bell is also the director of the UC Davis International Learning Center. Before joining UC Davis, he was head of both International Programs and the Training Center at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.

Accounting and fiscal management

Budget Analyst
Heather Kawakami is also the Business Unit Manager for the Department of Plant Sciences.

Budget Analyst
Sabrina Morgan is also an Account Manager for the Department of Plant Sciences.

Programmatic and administrative support

Regional Centers of Innovation Specialist
Britta Lilley Hansen holds a master's degree in Development Practice. She previously worked in nutrition research at the University of Minnesota and has served with the Peace Corps in Liberia and Bolivia.

Office and Event Planning Assistant
Diana Puccetti is a Certified Government Meeting Planner (CGMP). She is currently pursuing a B.S. in Technical Management and has previously worked in municipal government.

Communications Coordinator
Brenda Dawson has communicated on behalf of the UC Small Farm Program, UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and UC Davis University Communications. She previously worked as a newspaper editor.

Graduate Assistant
Elana Peach-Fine is obtaining a double M.S. in International Agricultural Development and Plant Pathology.

Graduate Intern
Kelsey Barale is pursuing an M.S. in International Agricultural Development.

Undergraduate Assistants

• Azia Hasan
• Dylan Owen

International Programs Office

Associate Dean
Dr. Jim Hill is the associate dean of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Analyst / Supervisor
Rachel (Chelo) Abrenilla provides support to Horticulture CRSP as an analyst and supervisor in the International Program Office.

Special projects staff

Team Leader
Dr. Alonso Gonzalez is the team leader for the Horticulture Assessment in Central America. He most recently led the tropical fruits program for the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in Colombia.

Horticulture Specialist
Dr. Tito Zúniga is the horticulturist for the Horticulture Assessment in Central America. He most recently led a national horticultural value chain project in Honduras.