Hi there! My name is Mirella, a third year Ph.D. student in the Horticulture and Agronomy
program. I currently work in the Cantu Lab as a grad student researcher, and my Ph.D. project
aims to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying Pierce’s disease resistance and
susceptibility in grapevines. I was born and raised in the South of Italy in a little town in the
Apulia region, land of Primitivo, Negroamaro, Salice Salentino and other delightful wines. I
came to the US to start my Ph.D. program and fell in love with grapes and the wine culture
since then. I am thrilled to be active part of DEVO this year and can’t wait to see what future
holds for me!