By Blake Jackson
University of Wisconsin-Madison student Mirielle Sherman spent the summer exploring grape breeding and genetics through the 2026 Cornell AgriTech Summer Research Scholars Program, gaining hands-on experience that helped shape her future career goals.
Working in assistant professor Maddy Oravec’s grape breeding and genetics lab under the guidance of doctoral student Aidan Inoue, Sherman focused on studying grapevine bud development and assessing how vulnerable buds are to late spring frost damage.
Sherman research involved analyzing and annotating hundreds of images that documented different stages of bud growth.
“One of my big jobs was annotating all of these images according to a scale that we developed,” Sherman said.
The project aims to provide valuable information for grape breeders seeking to develop varieties with later budbreak, reducing the risk of frost damage that can negatively affect vineyard productivity and crop yields.
“The goal is to eventually use the data from from the research to help match budbreak timing and make breeding selections based on plants that have later budbreak,” Sherman said. “This scale is based on how much damage would occur to the bud if there was a late frost.”
Sherman was among 29 students from colleges across the United States who participated in the summer program in Geneva, New York. In addition to conducting research, she gained practical experience making hand crosses, a plant breeding technique used to combine desirable traits from selected grapevine parents.
Previously involved in cranberry and blueberry research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sherman viewed grape breeding as a new area of study.
The experience deepened her interest in plant breeding and strengthened her commitment to pursuing advanced education in the field.
“The summer has really made me decide that I want a Ph.D. in breeding,” Sherman said. “I think all of the field work is so fun.”
Beyond the scientific training, Sherman valued the relationships she built during the program.
“All of the members of this lab are super, super great,” Sherman said. “My roommates have been awesome. Those will be friends that I’ll have for the rest of my life.”
By the end of the summer, Sherman had gained not only valuable research skills but also a clearer vision for her future in plant breeding and agricultural science.
Photo Credit: istock-jhvephoto
Categories: New York, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Education, General