Michela Appiano

Michela Appiano is an experienced plant breeder and researcher specializing in genetics and molecular biology. Currently serving as a Pre-Breeder Lettuce at Rijk Zwaan since November 2017, Michela also mentors students for FUTURELY since September 2021. Prior experience includes roles as a Postdoctoral and Research Fellow at Wageningen University & Research from January 2013 to October 2017, focusing on the genetic mechanisms of tomato resistance to powdery mildew, and as a PhD guest at the Plant Breeding Laboratory of WUR from February 2011 to December 2012. Early research experience includes a Research Assistant position at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in 2009, and an internship at UC Davis in 2008 related to gene expression changes in cut flowers. Michela holds a PhD in Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding from Wageningen University & Research and a second PhD in Plant Genetic Improvement from Università degli Studi di Bari, along with an MSc in Agricultural Science from Università degli Studi di Foggia.