Wagner Vendrame

About Wagner Vendrame

Use of innovative techniques that translate to high impact outcomes in agriculture. We focus on the use of micropropagation and plant tissue culture techniques for large-scale clonal propagation of food, ornamental, biofuel, and medicinal plants. We also apply cryopreservation techniques for conservation of plant tissues and organs (seeds, pollen, in vitro shoots). We also use temporary immersion bioreactors for clonal propagation of Monstera, Brassavola and Cymbidium orchids, blueberry, saffron, and vanilla. Other species being studied include flowering trees (Tabebuia/Handroanthus), pineapple, kratom, Wasabi, Cannabis, Clerodendron, and Cordyline, among others. Previous studies involved the use of molecular markers for verification of genetic fidelity in micropropagated plants and a collaboration with NASA to evaluate the effects of microgravity on differential gene expression in plant cell cultures and seeds, with 6 spaceflights during the period of 20••••25, including an experiment in the last space shuttle, Atlantis, STS-135. Our last spaceflight study carried seeds of Florida native orchids, strawberry and Bahiagrass UF varieties to the ISS for 7 days, launched on Space X Dragon, Crew 11. We welcome challenging projects and are willing to take risks that result in great returns and impact.I teach two courses, Orchid Biology and Culture and Micropropagation of Horticultural Crops using innovative teaching techniques, including a 360 virtual micropropagation laboratory. My teaching focus on stimulating students\' critical thinking and leadership skills, while providing them a great learning experience.My program also includes a strong international collaboration, including Brasil, China, Colombia, Guatemala, Egypt, India, Italy, Morocco, among other countries. I am fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, with some fluency in Italian and basic knowledge of French.

Experience

1. Professor

   Uf Ifas Horticultural Sciences Department

   Jan 2026 — Present · Gainesville, FL, US

   Research with focus on micropropagation and cryopreservation of horticultural crops, including food, medicinal, ornamental, biofuel, and alternative crops. In addition, research on microgravity and space biology, with 6 spaceflight experiments performed to date.Teaching with focus on Micropropagation of Horticultural Crops and Advanced Micropropagation, Orchidology, and Orchid Biology and Culture,

Education

• The University of Georgia

  Ph.D., Horticulture - Biotechnology

  1994 — 1998

• USP - Universidade de São Paulo

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Agronomy and Crop Science

  1984 — 1987

Skills

• Statistics
• Genetics
• Agriculture
• Sustainability
• Life Sciences
• Genomics
• Biotechnology
• Ecology
• Biology
• Research
• Pcr
• Lifesciences
• Horticulture
• Dna
• Cell Culture
• Bioenergy
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr)
• Botany
• Environmental Awareness
• Environmental Science
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Cell Biology
• Science
• Molecular Biology
• Agronomy
• Plant Tissue Culture
• Energy
• Renewable Energy
• Biochemistry
• Biofuels