Student
KAUST
Thuwal, Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia
My name is Nathaly Rodriguez, and I am a dedicated researcher currently pursuing a Ph.D. in tomato grafting to improve salinity tolerance by developing F1 hybrids from wild and commercial tomatoes in KAUST Saudi Arabia. My academic journey commenced in Colombia, where I completed my Bachelor's degree in Biology and Microbiology. This enriching experience provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of living organisms and their microbiological interactions.
Motivated by the detrimental effects of salinity on crop yields, particularly in water-scarce regions such as Saudi, I decided to specialize in tomato grafting for my Ph.D. research. Salinity represents a significant obstacle to agriculture, and I firmly believe that developing F1 hybrids using wild and commercial tomatoes holds immense potential in mitigating this challenge. By combining my expertise in biology and microbiology, I aim to develop innovative salt tolerant F1hybrid rootstocks that enhance the salinity tolerance of tomato plants.